ORANGE INSTITUTION CONGRATULATES ROYAL COUPLE

THE Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has offered its best wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge following the birth of their first child and future monarch. Grand Master Edward Stevenson said:

“The Orange Institution is delighted by today’s wonderful news and on behalf of the entire membership I wish to convey our warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of a baby boy. 

We offer the Royal couple God’s richest blessing as they come to terms with parenthood and wish the new family unit health and happiness in the months and years ahead. 

Amid times of austerity and economic gloom, the birth of a Royal baby who will one day succeed his father to the throne is welcome, inspirational and uplifting news. The new-born’s arrival will be celebrated across the whole of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and indeed the wider world. 

Today’s announcement will be met with great joy particularly here in Northern Ireland, where the Royal family is held in such high esteem and unrivalled affection. Members of the Orange fraternity around the globe, including the Republic of Ireland, will also be heartened by this magnificent news. 

On such an historic occasion, the future monarch and entire Royal family are assured the continued prayerful support, service and loyalty of the Orange Institution. God Save The Queen.”

Socio-economic Impact of the Protestant Parading Sector

Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Drew Nelson, comments on the findings of a Socio-economic report on the contribution of the Loyal Orders and bands community to wider society. The full report can be downloaded via the Orange Order's website - www.grandorangelodge.co.uk/publications

Orange Order raises funds for Children's Hospice

Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson and Siofra Healy, Director of Income Generation with the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice, show their appreciation after over £17,000 was raised for the local charity. The Loyal Institution chose the Children's Hospice as its charity partner for the Ulster Covenant celebrations and family fun day at Stormont last year. Picture by Darren Kidd/Presseye.

THE Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has raised over £17,000 for a local children’s charity, following a major Loyal Order parade last year.

Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice was chosen by the Institution to be the main benefactor of the Ulster Covenant centenary celebrations in Belfast on September 29.

As well as collecting funds from the huge crowds which descended on the Stormont estate, many individual lodges across the Province contributed to the overall total by organising separate fundraising ventures.

The money raised will pay for Children’s Hospice community nurses who provide specialist care to children and young people in their own homes, across Northern Ireland.

Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson, said it was “humbling” for the Institution to help the many young people and their families who depend on hospice services.

He said: “It is both a privilege and an honour for the Orange Institution to support such a worthwhile cause.

“As well as commemorating a seminal event in the history of the British Isles, those in attendance at our memorable Ulster Covenant celebrations, and brethren through other fundraising initiatives, have left a lasting legacy to many families who depend on hospice care within the community.”

He added: “Children’s Hospice community nurses provide a vital and invaluable service, offering practical and emotional support for children and young people availing of hospice services. We hope this large donation will go a long way in helping Children’s Hospice to continue providing their special services.”

Director of Income Generation with the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, Siofra Healy, said: “Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice has to raise £2.5 million every year through public donations and fundraising events. We couldn’t do it without the ongoing support from all communities across Northern Ireland, and for that we are extremely thankful.”

Orange Community Awards 2013 - Alan Campbell

OLYMPIC MEDAL HERO HONOURED BY ORANGE ORDER

AN Olympic medallist – and Orangeman – has been recognised for his sporting achievement at this year’s Orange Community Awards.

Coleraine rower Alan Campbell received the esteemed Grand Master’s Award at the annual awards ceremony held in Londonderry on Saturday night, in recognition of his bronze medal success at London 2012.

The oarsman, 29, was just one of a large number of individuals and Lodges to be formally acknowledged by the Loyal Institution for their community outreach and achievements over the past 12 months.

Addressing attendees at the Waterside Theatre via a video message from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – where he is currently in training for the 2016 Olympics – Mr Campbell said he was humbled by the award.

The Grove LOL 648 member said: “It is a great honour to receive this award. The Grand Master’s prize is very, very special and I don’t take it lightly.

“In part, I do have to thank the support I’ve had from my own Lodge in Garvagh, my wife, Juliette, and my mum and dad.”

He added: “I hope with your continued support through to Rio 2016, I’ll not only bring home gold to Coleraine and Northern Ireland - but also for the Orange Order.”

Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson – who personally nominated the sportsman – presented the award to Alan’s parents, William and Jenny.
Paying tribute to the rower, Mr Stevenson said: “We in the Orange Institution were rightly proud to witness one of our own members excel at the highest level on the world stage. Alan’s heroic feat, coming after a rigorous and demanding training schedule, was an inspiration to all of us.”

“Alan is not only a fine ambassador for the Orange Order but also Northern Ireland as a whole.”

The Grand Master hailed the achievements of all nominees at this year’s awards.

He said: “The purpose of the Community Awards is to formally recognise those unassuming Orangemen and women - the ‘unsung heroes’ - for the sterling work they do in the wider community, often quietly under the radar.

“While victors were declared in each of the designated categories, all of the nominees were winners in their own right and are fully deserving of our admiration.

“I would like to personally congratulate each and every one of them for being standard bearers for the Institution as well as in their own communities.”

Other prize winners at ‘The Grands’ included the members of Randalstown District LOL 22, who claimed the Best Charity Fundraising Lodge title.

Last year, South Antrim brethren presented £13,000 to various military benevolent charities by producing a commemorative badge in memory of two soldiers (Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar) murdered by dissident republicans outside Massereene Barracks, Antrim, in 2009.

Previously, Randalstown District presented a cheque for £15,000 to the Royal Engineers Association.

One of the most keenly contested awards was the Outstanding Community Leadership category which was jointly won this year by Orangemen Gary Wilson and Trevor Lockhart.

Both men were nominated for their dedication and commitment to the Institution and wider community.

Mr Wilson, from Fermanagh, was the main organiser of the world record banner parade held last July in the lakeland county to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant. An unprecedented 420 banners, representing Lodges across the Province and beyond, were paraded through the village of Kesh.

The Dromard LOL 284 member was also instrumental in arranging a successful re-enactment of Sir Edward Carson’s 1912 visit to Enniskillen in September.

Mr Lockhart, from Dungannon, received equal recognition for the pivotal role he played in the formation and ongoing development of the local Bawn Development Association.

The Tyrone Orangeman – who has missed only one Lodge meeting in over 40 years as a member of the Institution – was actively involved in sourcing and applying for funding to develop a community hall in the area.

The Best New Banner Award went to Drumlough Heroes LOL 153 (Rathfriland) for its unique tribute marking the centenary of the Titanic tragedy.

Their new bannerette was painted in honour of a Past Master of the Lodge – Thomas Rowan Morrow – who was the only third class passenger from Ulster to perish onboard the famous vessel in 1912.

All seven short-listed banners were painted by local artist William Magowan, who personally received the Banner Painter Award.

Other prizes presented at the event – now in its eighth year – included the Individual and Lodge Community Involvement awards, the Chaplains Award and Special Merit awards among others.

City of Londonderry Grand Master, James Hetherington, welcomed members of the Institution to the awards ceremony in a landmark year for the north west.

He said: “2013 marks an exciting and important year in the city of Londonderry when the first ever UK City of Culture is celebrated. We are determined that the Orange culture will be celebrated and showcased throughout the coming months, with this awards ceremony being the first of a number of events planned over the coming months.”

As part of the City of Culture programme, Londonderry will host a Twelfth demonstration in July.


Notes to Editor:


FULL LIST OF WINNERS 2013


Grand Master’s Award
Alan Campbell, Grove LOL 648

Best Charity Fundraising Lodge
Winner – Randalstown District LOL 22
Runner-up – Newtownards Ex-servicemen LOL 1952

Outstanding Community Leadership
Joint Winner – Gary Wilson, Dromard LOL 284
Joint Winner – Trevor Lockhart, WJ Marshall Memorial LOL 848
Runner-up – Alan Elliott, McKinley LOL 1539

Individual Community Involvement
Winner – John Thompson, Killultagh LOL 147
Runner-up – Gary Wilson, Dromard LOL 284

Lodge Community Involvement
Lurgaross Orange Heroes LOL 620

Best New Banner
Winner – Drumlough Heroes LOL 153
Joint Runner-up – Loughries True Blues LOL 1948
Joint Runner-up – Cranfield Single Star LOL 907

Banner Painter Award
William Magowan

Chaplains Award
Rev Nigel Reid, Glentimon Sons of William LOL 386

Orange Standard Award
Gerald Topping, LOL 99

Youth Development Award
Gary Hutchinson, Mullabrack Hearts of Steel LOL 1406

Special Merit Award
Winner – Ivan Buchanan, Barron LOL 627
Winner – Gavin Hunter, Magherknock LOL 703
Winner – Rita McCutcheon, Tempo Guiding Star WLOL 210

Musician’s Merit (Group)
Brookeborough Flute Band

Musician’s Merit (Individual)
Winner – Gareth McLees, Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band
Runner-up – Keith Little, Markethill Fiddle Orchestra