The Orange Order: 12th Day in Ballyclare

First things first, their was extensive coverage of the 12th celebrations across the country on both the BBC and UTV with the BBC having their coverage available on BBC iplayer. I recorded the highlights that were shown last night and have had a quick flick through them and both stations have came up with impressive commentaries and highlights that they should be commended for. As well there were many reporters and photographers out on the hunt for stories along with the casual onlooker.

My 12th this year was held in the town of Ballyclare in County Antrim. It was lead by my own distirct of Sixmile Water and consisted of 71 Orange Lodges that covered the majority of South and East Antrim. A few bands and lodges also made the journey over from Scotland to participate in our 12th and as always are more than welcome.

8am. My WM opened the lodge and the majority of our lodge met at our hall to help him to do so. My lodge does not close the meeting but keeps it open until the end of the day, this in effect means that all members of the lodge when they have their collarettes on are bound by the by-laws and etiquette of the Orange institution; therefore if there is any member who does not act in accordance with these procedures they will be subject to disciplinary procedures. We then get the banners and colours organised for the day and as according to our own tradition walk around the outside of the hall before posing for a picture in front of the banner. The WM then calls us into line and the accordian band strikes up and we take a short walk up the road to our awaiting buses.

9am. Before heading to Ballyclare we get left off and the top of Antrim town and walk down to lay a wreath at the cenotaph outside the old court house and have a short remembrance service and lay a wreath for our glorious war dead. Then walk back out and onto the bus.

10.30am. Having arrived at Ballyclare and made our way up to the assembly point we have a bit of a wait; the parade was due to start at 11am, but did not get going until 11.30am. Luckily enough the sun starts shining which makes the wait in the sun not too bad at all! To pass the time myself and a few others have a bit of a chat and try to wind a few people up (fellow Orangemen and women) before I get told I will be carrying the banner at the start of the parade - some kind of retribution. The parade finally gets under way and the banner isn't heavy it is just a bit awkward on occasions when the wind strikes up.

Parade. Lovely parade and get relieved of the banner after about 15 minutes (result) and fall into line at the back of the lodge. It was a sight to behold when walking to the back to join my fellow lodge men when I saw the total size of my lodge and their appearance. At the front of our lodge was the banner, followed by our own accordian band, followed by the officers of the lodge, followed by the Orange women and they themselves followed by the Orange men. From what I have been told it is one of the biggest lodges in the country in terms of active membership and would certainly been hard to have been beat on the day anywhere in the province, let alone in Ballyclare. Behind our lodge a minivan follows which carries our Brethren who are unable to walk the whole distance, but strong in their Orange Protestant faith want to play their role in supporting the lodge. It is when speaking to or watching these men and women, the sense of pride in their faith and conviction can make many a person feel humble in their presence and want to continue in a manner that will honour them.

Hundreds, if not thousands of people have lined the streets to watch the procession and cheer along those taking part. Again a zero-tolerance from the police for boozing in the street but people where out for the parade and the weather helped a good turn out as it was developing into a scorcher of a day. The parade was around 2-3 miles and took about an hour to complete and we reached the field for around 12.45pm.

The field. We were first in to the field so that meant we would be last out and enable us to see the other lodges and bands as they passed out later. It isn't the walking that tires you out funnily enough, it is the waiting to walk and standing about that really does it. The WM, a few Brothers and myself went off the grab a burger and a drink and have a look at the stalls. Usual type of stalls; burgers, doughnuts, ice-cream, loyalist paraphernalia (flags, badges etc), seats, clothing, tea & coffee. There was also quite a few things to keep the families amused with bouncy castles, a cool elasticated jumping thing and a huge inflatable slide. Refreshed and full of 'energy' we went and found seats which happened to be at the front of the stage for the service.

The service. A lot of focus will yet again fall on the words of the Rev. Stephen Dickinson who had a few choice words for the DUP and the Orange Order. Like with the 11th night Rev. Dickinson's focus was on putting 'Protestantism back into the Orange Order'. He also focus on the 'demonstration vs festival' element; a demonstration of our Protestant faith, the reformer spirit and the symbols of the Orange Institution. I believe Rev. Dickinson will come under fire for his words, but as an Orange man do I disagree? I have said before that I am an Orange man principally on religious grounds therefore a multi-cultural 12th does not appeal to me, nor does a multi-religious 12th; I would find this a watering down of the faith to be politically correct. Rev. Dickinson is hardline, no getting around that, and he does not hold back on his condemnation of the DUP and Sinn Fein, nor would I expect him to as he has been consistent in his preaching over many years. In short, you know what you get. I think it was two years ago, on a 12th stage, that Rev. Ian Paisly took the the stage and stated that Sinn Fein would be in government over his dead body. Pot kettle black. It was in the highlights somewhere when a man said the OO is a mix of religion, culture and politics. Whether that is right or wrong is debatable and the direction of the OO is certainly unclear at the minute.

4pm. Finally our lodge get to leave the field and for another walk through the town. A few hold-ups along the way and I spotted an ambulance in the distance making its way through as the roads were cleared of Orangemen and bandsmen alike. It is always a bit strange spotting people you know when on parade and inevitably you do spot them, and they you, and usually I wave a brolly at them and grin. Awkward? No, but the sun was beaming down and I still had my suit jacket on, tie done up, brolly under one arm and white gloves on. Being an Orangeman is also quite strange, especially in work or university; it is not embarrassing but it is not a ice-breaker and in the same fashion I do not wish to be judged for the football team I support, the school I went to or the clothes I wear. People can fall into stereotyping all too easily.

5.3opm. Arrived back on the road leading to our lodge and we assembled and marched down and round the back of the lodge before having the national anthem played by the band. The WM then proceeded upstairs to close the lodge and thank all those for their attendance and to convey our thanks to the district, the PSNI, the speakers, our band and for all those supporting us.

All in all in was a superb day for not only myself but I'd dare say for all Orangemen. It is the cumulation of a years preparation in terms of fundraising, organisation and promoting. My face is a bit red from the sun and I am glad a have a few days to recover. And also I believe one of the other contributers, Necromancer, will gives us a run down of the Belfast parade which he played a part in.

P.S - An apology to my lodge. After I got home yesterday and decided to take a quick nap before going back up for a BBQ. My quick nap ended at 9am this morning. Opps!