Live The Twelfth

Good morning from Belfast city centre, and welcome to our live

coverage of the Twelfth. Now, the spectators have been gathering here

for the past couple of hours, and the crowds are huge. We are live

with you for the next hour and a quarter as the Orange Order marks

the 323rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Now, you can keep up

to date with everything that's happening on BBC Newsline, Radio

Ulster and our online service. Now, we'll be with the Belfast

parade in just a moment, but to get out and about a bit, we're also

covering the parade in Magherafelt live, and we can now join Ralph

McLean. Thank you very much. There is a

real buzz about Magherafelt this morning. The sun is shining - boy,

is it shining. There is a real atmosphere on the streets as well.

There is a really great day here, no question about it. The parade

has left and will be joining us on our position on the Moneymore Road

shortly. We're talking around 2,000 lodge members taking part in the

South Londonderry demonstration. This is a big one. We'll have the

delights of the lum lums drama. We'll hope to catch up with that

later. Thanks. From our commentary

position on the corner of Ormeau Avenue there has been a bit of

delay because the Orange Order has been making a protest at the

parades' office. It's a very hot day, perhaps the

hottest for some time, warmer, I am told, than Malaga. We can take a

look at the route the parade will take from Clifton Street, Royal

Avenue to Donny fall place, Bedford Street, Dublin Road through

Shaftesbury Square, up the Lisburn Road, Balmoral Avenue, but I am

joined this morning by Dr Gavin Hughes, a historian from Trinity

College, Dublin. A very good morning to you. Good morning. Isn't

it a very glorious morning in the top of Bedford Street? I think one

always hopes for sunshine for the day because the colours come

through spectacularly on a day like this, and no wind which is also a

great help for the banner carriers. Absolutely. This is the street with

the band in pride of place at the home of the procession, formed over

a hundred years ago in 1911, very smart in their blue uniforms, a

very distinctive style to them. Absolutely. The memorial do

traditionally head up this Belfast Twelfth, don't they? It's the 150th

anniversary of Grand Orange Lodge, isn't it? It is indeed. Eric

Bruster is head of the colour party, and the County Officers, of course,

here as well, including County Grandmaster George Chidic. It's his

first year as County Grandmaster. And a find band, very precise group

of musicians making their way at the head of the parade in Belfast.

Very smart indeed. The crowds, as Helen was saying, have been

gathering from earlier this morning, and I don't think I have seen so

many people in Bedford Street here as normally it attracts quite a

good crowd, but this is huge. There are thousands of people here

between here and Don any gall -- Donneygall Street. Not every

Twelfth is as hot as this. This is possibly going to be hot, possibly

a problem for the marchers. I was noticing the reenactors. They'll

The parade is led by District 6, and the district includes 30 lodges

with 20 bands and one ladies' district. I believe that there are

more ladies taking part in the parade now than used to be the case.

Altogether in the Belfast parade there are 130 lodges taking part

with 66 bands, and an interesting thing about the bands is about a

third of them, 21 or so, come from Scotland. There is always a very

strong presence by Scottish Orange Lodge 398. Yes, it was formed in

1908 when Reverend Cooks reviewed They have walked with the lodge

since 1966. We have a nice shot of the banner with William crossing

the Boyne, the Bible and crown there. The banner will be carried

highlighting this lodge and King William. Members of the oldest

lodge in Scotland who celebrated their 200th anniversary this year,

established in 1813. And Women's District number two is also present

in this part of the parade, I can see, as we look down here on

this - the length of Bedford Street here on this lovely sunny morning -

there is now a little bit of cloud in the sky which might mean later -

I don't know - the weather men this morning were talking about the

possibility of one or two isolated showers, but certainly it's a

wonderful morning here, a beautiful Now, I can hand over to Helen Mark,

who is down here in the crowd, in the street in Bedford Street.

Walter. Let me introduce you to Grant Dillon. He's with the 1588

Loyal Orange Lodge. Which one is that? The number 6 District in the

east of the city. I believe you're celebrating a little bit of an

anniversary for yourself today. it's my 30th anniversary with the

lodge, but I have been walking and parading for 30 years since a wee

boy. A tiny wee boy. In front of the parade, were you? Yes, I was

carrying the string of my late father's lodge. It has been a long

time with me. It is very often a family tradition, isn't it, the son

follows the father? Absolutely. Here we are in Belfast today. There

is another anniversary being celebrated today. Yes, the city of

Belfast County Grand Lodge. They were formed in 1863. Through that

150 years obviously we have grown and grown and grown. Today there

will be about 20,000 people in Belfast, and we actually were told

yesterday that there will be about a quarter of a million people

taking part in all the Orange parades and celebrations in

Northern Ireland. It's mafrbg louse. Huge numbers. We're watching the

bands go past. In the sunlight, the colours look absolutely fantastic.

I wonder if an order came from above that you were all allowed to

march in your short sleeves today? Normally being an ex-serviceman's

lodge we wore bowler hats - hat and jackets off today, still wearing

gloves, but some in Belfast County still wear their hats which is nice

to see particularly the ex- servicemen's lodges. One of the

nice things with the county, what they have been able to do in the

last few years is outreaching. You can see in City Hall there is a lot

of activity for everybody today. It's very much a celebration for

everybody. Were you hoping to catch up with your part of the parade?

Were you hot footing down there or waiting for them to pass us by?

Hopefully my lodge will pass us by in 20 minutes' time. I'll nip in.

Enjoy the parade in this heat - a great heat, Walter. Thank you very

much indeed. Right at the background there of the view down

Bedford Street is the library, one of the fine old buildings of

Belfast. In fact, really, when you look from here down the street,

you've got a mixture really of old Belfast and some of the newer

buildings as well. And there's one of the newer skyscrapers in Belfast.

There was a time when there were many linen warehouses in this part

of Belfast. That's one of the old relics of Victorian Belfast perhaps.

And that lovely view down here gives us a very good view of the

parade as it approaches us here at the junction of Ormeau Avenue and

Bedford Street. I think coming up is Cooks' Defenders, Walter. In

front of their banner is the Statue One of the problems I imagine for

those taking part in the parade is if you're halfway between two bands,

how do you... This is it, isn't it? I suspect you either march the one

in front or march to the one in much so. And one of the things too

- the ribbon men, I suppose - youngsters who are involved from a

very early age in the traditions of the Twelfth. They certainly are,

and they look to be enjoying themselves. This is looking along

the length of the Dublin Road up towards Shaftesbury Square. There

is a young lad practising to be a Drum Major. Can he catch it?Can he

the sounds of the bands positioned between the different lodges here

in District No 6 leading the parade say, the parade in Belfast, of

course, there are demonstration all over the province and in

Magherafelt, we're joining now Ralph McLean.

Thank you, Walter. The sun is still beating down like a Lambeg Drummer.

I am joined by Lisa Brown. This is a massive day out, isn't it? It's a

wonderful day, a glorious day, and it's great to be able to be here

with friends and with family and just to celebrate our culture and

remember the sacrifice that our forefathers made that enable us

still today to come out, worship God and walk the roads and be proud

of our culture. You have the family with you today. Who is here? I have

my son, my husband's walking in the Lodge. He's coming up behind me. I

have the rest of the extended family and friends. It's all about

getting a good position. Tell me the etiquette of getting a good

position. You have a prime position on the Moneymore Road behind us.

How do you do that? How do you get the best position? We have family

that came down yesterday morning at 11.00pm in the motor home. We're a

few spaces from them. We parked the car last evening at 5.30. You have

to plan ahead. It is a fantastic day for Magherafelt. You're from

Magherafelt. It's very important, isn't it? It is. It's great for the

town of Magherafelt. It's great to see so many people in the town and

supporting the local businesses. Enjoy the rest of your day. Great

to speak to you. Back to you. Thank you. We'll be returning to

Magherafelt during the course of our transmission between now and

12.15pm. Just hearing the strains of the Pride of Govern band, a very

large band, that. The Crown and Bible there on this banner. Yes,

here as well. Is the tradition of holding parades on 12th July related

to similar events elsewhere? It is, Walter. The military tradition of

parading is an ancient one, indeed. The Twelfth takes its lead from

similar events, such as Trooping the "trooping" so they can easily be

recognised and honoured. The Colour Escort Escorts have a military

freedom? They do. You see them carrying flag flags. It was their

job to protect the flag at all costs. It was a rallying point for

troops during the confusion of battle and the loss of a unit's flag

was the source of great humiliation. Some of the banners are allowed to

be let loose and not tied up today. It's also a point - you were saying

on a windy day, it must be quite a strain to carry a banner in high

winds? I would imagine so. The weight of the banners, when ever

they are getting tugged by the wind, must be difficult to control. They

are expensive items. And if they is time to have a bit of a nap!

Here again, we see the huge crowds here in Bedford Street. Have you

seen as many crowds before? This is this year. That might be a factor of

the weather, I think. It's a go out and do something day today! It is.

The Warrant for that Lodge was issued in 1884. There is a great

deal of history here in front of us. There is. And a lot of people coming

here for the day. We have a lot of people who are visitors to Belfast

here watching the Parade this year. I expect Helen will be finding a few

people to talk to from different parts of the world. We have a lovely

shot there of the Parade as it comes streets here, it is amazing how many

different accents you hear. These two are from the Glasgow area. You

are? I'm Martin. I'm Gordon. From Canada. Are you new to Canada?No, I

have lived there 47 years sweetheart. How is it that you are

both here today? Gordon was coming over. We did the Parade in Scotland

last week. We decided we would take a trip over here. It's been so long

since we have been here. We wanted to make a whole weekend of it.

long is it since you have been here? 30 years. How is the reunion going?

Very well. We come over to Scotland every second or third year. This

year is a special one. Why?Well, I'm also a member of the Orange

Order. I gave up the Parade in Canada to come here, walk here in

Edinburgh in my home town, and then to visit Belfast. What do you think

of the Parade today? It is fantastic. The weather makes it. It

brings out the colour and the happy smiling faces. What are your

thoughts? I think it's - this is the home of the Orange Order and God is

always good to his own. That is why we have good weather! Enjoy the

music and the Parade. Thank you very much for stopping to speak to me and

all the very best. No problem.Back quite a challenge talking with the

volume of sound coming from the bands passing a few feet away. We

move now from District 6 to two combine combined districts, these

are 7 and 8. These are smaller districts. When people were moved

out of the city, it reduced the number of people in some of the

Lodges. So District 7 and 8, two of the smaller district districts, are

combined. -- smaller districts, are go? Belfast itself witnessed

military and civic parades from 1778 when two Belfast companies

volunteered with Pipes and Drums on 1st July. Three volunteer companies

paraded on 1st July, 1779, in full uniform to celebrate the Battle of

the Boyne. Again, people of all ages are here enjoying a family day out.

will see a predominance of Pipes and Drums in the band bands today.

so dominant today. A beautiful shot of the bands coming up Bedford

a part of the pavement here. Lovely isn't it? It is.Some of the

uniforms will be very difficult, I imagine. Well, there's a marvellous

shot of the bass drummer there. is expending quite a bit of energy!

A lot of the bands have spare bass drummers, don't they, Walter? By the

time you get to the end, you must have gone through a few drum heads.

This is an excellent view of a Highland Regimental Band. A very

unusual band. This is the scene here in central Belfast. In Magherafelt,

David Hume. A massive day for the town of Magherafelt? A big, big day.

A fantastic day for all with the weather that we are having. It will

be tough going for a lot of people. The heat is serious? Yes, it will

be. It will be something we are not used to. Particularly for the bands.

A lot of bands have uniforms. They can't go in shirt sleeves. The Pipe

Bands will be heavy going. course, compared to the city parades

and what happens in Belfast, there is a difference vibe out here. What

makes it different? The variety of bands. Your Pipe Bands, Flute Bands,

you have a wide variety of musical instruments. In Belfast, you can't

have that because of the length of the Parade. There is a strong sense

of community here in terms of where the Lodges are from. It is very

significant in country areas. There's often a generational aspect

to the Lodges, much more than in Belfast. Of course, that great

laid-back country vibe is hard to beat. What about numbers? What sort

of numbers are we talking about? Well, it is a county demonstration.

The county would know better. It will be a large demonstration

because of that. I wouldn't like to hazard a guess. It's certainly -

there is a loR laid-back sense to it. I noted today that they started

at 10.45am, so they are not that laid-back.

# There is a laid-back sense to it. I noted today that they started at

10.45am, so they are not that laid-back! We can look at the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

pictures that we recorded earlier this morning. George Chittick, the

County Grand Master and the Reverend Martin Smith with County Officers in

attendance. Gavin, July is the month when we all remember the Somm e, so

it is an important part of the Orange event of the day. -- Somm e?

It is. You have to remember what the Somme was. At 7.30am on 1st July

1916 thousands of British soldier soldiers walked towards the German

lines. Most were inexperienced volunteer soldiers and some 60,000

men were killed, missing or wounded. There was one casualty for every 18

inches of the frontline. By midday, the Ulster Division had broken

through. The only British division to do so. It was at a terrible cost,

Walter. 9,000 men went over the top on 1st July and by the 3rd, it was

confirmed that over 5,000 had become casualties. Of course, many of those

who fell at the Somme were from all over Ireland. It wasn't just

Ulstermen. It was a significant day here. There were many casualties

from the entire island? That's Helen Mark has someone else to talk

to. I have a whole crowd to talk to, Walter, and a very international

one at that. You are? Sam from Australia. I am Kyle from Newcastle.

Newcastle Upon Tyne and... Patrick from Switzerland. Karen, also from

Swiss Switzerland. Are you together? No, first time.What are

your thoughts? It's very impressing. Yourself? Yes, also very strange

because we hadn't seen that before. Had you heard of Orange parades?

Yes, but just in the newspaper maybe a few years ago, and we

didn't recognise when we arrived to Ireland that it's going to be on

the 12th of July, so it's lucky to be in Belfast now. Enjoy the parade.

Kyle, I know you have somebody back at Newcastle who might get a bit of

a shock when you appear on screen? Yes, I am -- back in Newcastle, how

are you doing? What do you think? It's brilliant. The crowds are

enormous, absolutely enormous. I have seen the parade before in

Glasgow. It was nowhere near the size of this, brilliant. The sun is

out shining, excellent. You look upon them as they're marching past.

There is great music going on. Sam, what about yourself? Yes, it's

wonderful. It's something you never expect to see somewhere like this.

Are you visiting? Yes, visiting for a few months doing a working

holiday. It's an amazing atmosphere. What do you make of the music?

great, awesome. I love the Irish music. It's really strong. And Kyle,

Kyle, is this new music to you? Yeah, I mean, it's brilliant the

way the coordination, the uniforms, everything - everything is so

brilliant, smart, lovely, a lovely day. Well turned out. There is a

lot of bands to go past. You have plenty to watch the rest of the

morning. Thanks for stopping to speak to us. Back to you.

Thank you, Helen. This is again the view along the street packed with

people, huge crowds here. I don't think there is room for anymore

people on the pavements here. don't think so. Here we see the

flute band just passing, a very these occasional pauses in the

marching. You do, very distinctive caps there, reminiscent of the WPC

here, the music bouncing off the buildings either side of Bedford

Street in the Dublin Road. A change of drummer there. That's obviously

the way to do it. Yes, it is, isn't it? Facing themselves. -- pacing

County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast as it celebrates its 100th

anniversary. Ralph has been finding Parade will take hours to wind its

way through the city. These days the parade is noticeably smaller

but the city still resonates to the sound of bands and marching feet.

All belong to the Grand Orange Lodge. This is their 150th

anniversary, an important milestone for juror scror. Good to see you. -

- George Chittick. Good to see you in this amazing hall. You can see

Carson himself. That's correct. The county was formed in 1863, but the

lodge was on the road - I have evidence of it - in 1796. This

lodge is clearly steeped in history but I think we need to go to

Clifton Street will you take us? problem. Here in Clifton Street you

can't help but notice king over everything -- King William over Al

everything. It's from the war of the Battle of the Boyne. It was

made by an artist from Exeter. 150th anniversary, what does it

mean to you personally? generations of Orangemen in the

city of Belfast and we're still going strong. There is no denying

the Orange Order is very much a part of the fabric of the city, but

how do historians see it? How significant is the Order in the

history of the city? It goes back to the revolution of the mid 19th

century. When store month was established -- Stormont was

established, every Unionist MP, every Cabinet Minister to the top,

has to be a member of the Orange Order but with the Troubles, with

demographic change, with social change, the Orange Order declines

year on year, but it will remain part of the rich pap industry of

of the Belfast Parade just leaps from this picture. It's by Belfast

artist Joe McWilliams. He's taken endless inspiration from the

Twelfth. Its colour and moving colour is really why I started

painting the Twelfth. It's what gets a painter going. They're part

of my life, part of our every day. And here, we're back again in our

familiar view along Bedford Street. Just a reminder, you can keep up to

date with events throughout the day on BBC Newsline, Radio Ulster and

our online service. And now we've moved into district number nine

after seven and eight, a smallish district this one, with eight

lodges. They have seven bands marching today, and it includes one

ladies' district as well. Yes, and we just saw 739 there, west Belfast,

the banner of the West Belfast Orange Hall. This is a new banner

unfurled on the 8th of June last year, Walter. I'm sure that it's a

fairly expensive business, having a new banner. They were silk

originally. I don't know whether they use more synthetic materials

today. Well, I think in the original banners in the day they

would have started with silk or cloth-painted banners. Of course,

on a wet day, there are problems, so at least they don't have that to

worry about today at the moment. Now we're moving from Belfast to

Magherafelt again and over to Ralph McLean.

Thank you, Walter, and welcome back to sunny Magherafelt. It's all

going great here. I am joined by County Grandmaster for Londonderry,

Hugh Stewart. I want to get a sense of the scale. Give me some of the

numbers. Good morning. Welcome to you. We have 66 lodges and bands

and I guess about in the region of 4,000 brethren and bandsmen and

probably in the region of about 6,000 visitors. In terms of the

atmosphere here, it's a really strong family vibe. People are out

with the parasols. They have motor homes alongside the street. It's a

wonderful atmosphere in the town. It's wonderful to see it. This

started yesterday morning I believe about 8.00am, and it increased

during the day, and if anyone didn't make it this morning, they'd

miss the spacing effectively. It's great to see the number of folk

here. What is it that makes this place special, have a special place

in your heart? To come out and celebrate our culture -

PROBLEM WITH SOUND Just to be here and remember the

reformation and the Protestant heritage we have. You have a busy

day ahead of you. It's only really starting for you It's coming to a

culmination in the afternoon, I suppose, with the platform events

and then the wind-down of the parade back and finishing off this

evening. It's absolutely wonderful. Magherafelt district have done a

wonderful job if I may say so myself, and it's a pleasure to see

the other seven districts here with us to celebrate the Twelfth of July

celebration. If you had to sell Magherafelt to people who perhaps

hadn't been here today, how would you tell people to come along?

have folk here today from as far afield as Australia, Canada, the

United States and indeed Scotland, and you've just got to be here to

realise the atmosphere and culture we have here. It's absolutely

wonderful. Have a great rest of the day, Hugh. I wish you the very best.

Back to you in Belfast. Thank you, Ralphing. We have now moved - of

the ten districts represented in the Belfast parade, we now come to

District 10 from Balinamallard. There are seven lodges in the

district. They have five bands with them and one ladies' district. I

should say of the ten districts, they rotate each year so we started

with District 6 this year, which means after this district, we'll be

going to one, and then on up through the numbers. Six miles they

march from Clifton Street, fairly flat, a little bit downhill into

town, then it's level, a small climb perhaps up the Lisburn Road,

no steep hills, but it's quite an undertaking on a hot day like today.

It very much is, isn't it? We just saw the head of the district there

carrying a kepca -- replica of the out there, Walter, aren't there?

Very much so indeed. This is a day to be out in the sunshine. I hope

they have remembered their sun cream. Obviously, getting a little

bit of support there to view the marine orientated. Taking its cue,

District 10 - one of the Lodges - Derymore Purple Star had a famous

member, the laid Crooks. He was the original Black Samter, raised

front of us, in front of the BBC in Ormeau Avenue and Dublin Road,

Bedford Street, Helen Mark has someone to talk to. Here I am with

Mark Wilson who I have known long enough I thought he might have

brought me an ice cream, but he didn't. I'll bring you one later.

Lovely to see you. You have been standing here watching the bands

going past. I have. I have been really enjoying myself. One of the

bands on parade today, Four Young defenders, a really great band,

playing with great anticipation, a really great band. Wonder what the

heat does to the drum skin? depends on the age of the drum. I

see there is a penchant for some of the bands to go back to the older

style drums that have proper calfskin heads, and they'll

contract a lot with the heat or moisture or whatever. That'll

change the tone of the drum. The more modern drums like you have

seen just passing, that'll keep its tension all day, but of course,

that heat will cause heads to expand. There will be heads

breaking. What about the standard of the music? I have really noticed

an increase in the standard of music this year. The bands really

have practised well. They're marching. They're - how they look,

their uniforms are immaculate. Their marching is really good,

impressive. I know there has been a lot of focus on groups like from

the Arts Council - all of these groups have given money to help the

bands look well, and now they're beginning to sound a lot better

year after year, so with the musical standard that's getting

better and increasing, that's fabulous, the way ahead. It's where

you started. You have become this great drummer we know and love.

It's so lovely to speak to you on drumming and drummers are very much

a part of what's going on here and everywhere else, very smart and

precise band here with good military-style uniform. Very much

Somebody once told me that at 6.00 in Ormeau Avenue in years gone by

the pavements were packed with people leaving the factories and

heading home, usually walking home. are accompanying Sons of Ulster. On

the front of their banner is Belfast City Hall. There you are. That is an

interesting one. Is he a drummer? might be a Lambeg drummer. Talking

of drummers, we are going back to Magherafelt, where we have found a

you marching with today? marching with the Parade District.

It is important for you to bring the drums back to the Parade today?

started the drum drums - it is coming up to almost three years. --

the drums - it is coming up to almost three years. How long did it

take you to put the drum together? And then to learn? Well, you

probably learn the basics within a year. It is further development as

you go along. You are not learning this overnight. It is continuous

development. Best part of a year. You had a crisis last night, you

lost the head on it? Yes, thank thanks to one of the top drum makers

in County Antrim, he sorted me out with a head. Of course, the weight

as well. On a beautiful hot day, you must have wished you had played a

different instrument? What weight are we talking about when you have

got one on your body? Five-and-a-half kilograms. It is

very heavy. We have let you not put it on, but you are going to play us

a bit now of authentic Lambeg drumming. In your own time. Go for

in Magherafelt. We have our own drummers here, too. They have come

beautifully decorated and of all ages. A trainee drummer! It is nice

to see. There must have been a few about the history of the Orange

Order, plans are under way to develop Interpretive Centres with

the assistance of �3.6 million in EU Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. It is

a very imposing building. It is about to become even more

plans. Big things coming. What can you tell us? These are plans for the

capital work and design for both our Interpretive Centres. This is to

encourage greater understanding about the traditions. We want to

create the complete visitor experience. If you pop your gloves

on, you will be touching some original material. What are we

looking at? If you would like to pick that up? You are holding the

last letter that William III wrote before he left the mainland to come

to Ireland. Wow! I can hold this? Yes. It is in French and it talks

about him waiting for money, fair wind and horses. That is his

signature? Yes.That is the signature. These are priceless

artefacts. The boxes are being unpacked as we speak. At the moment,

we are creating an infantry of everything we have. There are a lot

of boxes. A lot of these items have been donated by members of the

institution, or families and organisations. The Paymaster

General's account book, you have nice wee pieces there. Another one

for private intelligence. You are getting a little insight into the

secretive world of that period. These gauntlets are William's?

are. They look perfect. Well made originally. Absolutely. If you are

making it for a King, it has to last! Slightly better than these.

Yes. Am I right to say, this is a toasting goblet? A mammoth goblet.

Dates prior to 1750. Would this have been full of mead at the time?

let the facts get in the way of a story! What would you like people to

take from this? We want to use the artefacts we have to tell the story

and to myth bust a little bit. We want to encourage everyone to see

what will be as part of these two centres. This is a great way to do

it. Thank you very much. Ralph said it is all go there. It

certainly is in central Belfast. This is a vivid vivid spectacle of

colour. And music! -- vivid spectacle of colour. And music!

There is the Cloverhill Temperance the Twelfth July come from the First

World War? They do. That is possibly not surprising considering the fact

that they are very easy to march to. Things like It's A Long Way To

Tipperary. Look at this. The people who have parked themselves here

earlier this morning. It is a long spell to be sitting in the sun. What

a lovely morning for sitting out and enjoying this spectacle. It is.

There are not many ice-creams on display. Not much need for an

umbrella. They are useful for shading the sun, too. A quiet lull

now. Things go quiet from time to time. I know that Helen has found

somebody else to talk to. Let's go come here from all over to be here.

Francois from France. Yourself? Sally from Indonesia. How do you

come to be in Northern Ireland this week? I was also here to see the

carnival. I presume the first time in Northern Ireland? Yeah, the first

time in England. Have you seen much else of Northern Ireland? We arrived

yesterday, so we just saw the city centre and I went to W5 yesterday.

We are here for a week. We visit a friend. It looks nice. We are lucky

with the weather. There are so many great things to see in Northern

Ireland. What do you think of the Parade? It was really colourful. I

have never seen something like this before. What about yourself? On the

morning, we were at home. We heard the music. So we decided to go out.

It is really great. Great atmosphere. It is a nice event.

have your camera. You will be hoping to get some good snaps? I am trying

to get the best snap I can get. you can take them home? Yes.It is

lovely to speak to you. Thank you for stopping. Back to you, Walter.

Thank you, Helen. It's all spectacle today! I'm sure for visitors coming

for the very first time, it is an amazing spectacle of colour and

music. It truly is a remarkable event. It is the kind of thing that

- it is hard to explain to any viewer or spectator who isn't here

today. I must admit I don't think I have ever seen Bedford Street as

they have done two miles in this heat, knowing they have another four

to go! Then they have six miles on the way back again later in the

afternoon. I know. We are seeing images of Angela Davison Memorial.

She was killed in the Battle of the Somme. Another distinctively dressed

band. Many women enjoying themselves. With a glass of water!

And big smiles all around. Now, the Twelfth July has had a long

tradition of father and son walking in the Parade. Claire McCollum has

been to meet one well-known son and Thames. I'm here to meet a father

and son who are Orangemen through and through. One of them will be

known to you as a top international sports star. William and Alan

Campbell, great to see you here. This is your home club. Alan, you

have been having such a great year? It was - this time last year, I was

not having the smoothest of seasons. The Olympics was looking doubtful at

that point. I had great support. I came away with a hard-fought bronze.

Here I am three-and-a-half years out from the Rio Olympic Games and

looking to go two better. Fingers crossed. While rowing is up there in

your life, you and your father are proud to be Orangemen? Very much so.

It is a long-standing tradition. I'm proud to carry on that tradition. I

walked my first Twelfth when I was four. Dad walked his first when he

was three! There's competitiveness in the family! I remember walking as

a boy and tea and sandwiches never tasted as good as they did on the

12th July. William, you must be proud of Alan? Very proud of him.

Proud also that he is a member of the Orange Order. It is nice that

the tradition has continued. He is heading in the right direction.

important is it that Alan is a role model for the younger ones who are

thinking about joining the Orange? Us older guys like to think we are

role models for the younger ones, but Alan is setting an example.

be honest, my Dad is a bit of an example to me. My parents are not

rich, they are not famous, but they are good people and they work hard.

Those were values that were instilled in me. Mum and Dad got

those from the Church and from the Orange Order as well. There isn't a

great greater identity than that of the Church and the values that they

have instilled. Ksh greater identity than the Church and the values that

they have instilled. On 12th July, you will be walking? Yes, in

Magherafelt. Will you be able to join them? Unfortunately not. I will

be in Switzerland and hopefully not at walking pace! I'm racing as part

of the World Cup series. I do get a phone call, I ask Dad how good the

sandwiches and the tea were! I have never been homesick. The only day of

the year I do get homesick is on 12th July. All the best. All the

best for the Twelfth. Thank you. young people - very young people

here - are participating. I am sure these youngsters will have memories

that'll last with them a long time, having experienced their first or

second Twelfth at that young age. This is it. It's a great

opportunity for sons and fathers to parade together and to enjoy the

day. When we get to the field, when the parade reaches the field, there

is, of course, a religious service and there are three resolutions on

faith, loyalty and state and presentation of band awards, so

everything gets under way early afternoon, and then at 4.15pm

that's begin the return journey. Well, time to go back again to

Magherafelt and to join Ralph McLean. Thank you, Walter. Lots of

people have made it to the parade. So much of this is about family and

visitors coming as well. I have two lovely ladies from Scotland with me,

Ann and Giorgia. Lovely to see you. You're Scottish but you have lived

here for a wee while. That's right, moved over in 2005 to look after my

husband's mother, but it has been a family tradition for us to come to

the Twelfth every year, including mum that's departed. She did that

to her 101th birthday. 101. Yes, just missed it for the following

year, but always been a family tradition, always had family coming

over for the Twelfth. Even since my husband is a wee boy, he's

continued to come over every year without fail. I love your head gear.

Did you wear that especially or was it just a coincidence?

PROBLEM WITH SOUND You come over to visit, don't you

Just three years. What's What's liability? It must be a great

feeling to get together with the family? Beautiful. Everybody is

lovely to you here. You have the whole family here, the whole brood

here. You're all going to be getting together over the course of

the day? PROBLEM WITH SOUND

That's right. We have the paddling pool to go back to, the freezer and

ice lollies. We'll go back to it. The whole family are here. We have

made a week of it. They don't go home until Sunday. You will be here,

rain or shine? Rain or shine, we'll always be here for the Twelfth. We

brought our umbrellas and jackets. There is such a great relationship

going on between here and Scotland. Smashing, everybody is so nice.

Almost like being at home. Lovely headgear as well. Enjoy the rest of

the day with your families. Great to see you here. We're all having a

fabulous time here. Back to Walter in Belfast. Thank you. Sorry about

the interruption to the pictures. It must be the heat, I think.

Anyway, we get most of it there OK. There are a number of other

fraternal connections with the Orange Order, aren't there? There

are. It's always thought they celebrate the 12th of July but it's

aust often celebrated by the Loyal Free Society of the Blue and Orange.

This regiment was the first to give loyalty to King William and fought

at the Battle of the Boyne. There is a lot of history associated with

all of what we're seeing here today, and current history comes from

Helen Mark in the crowd. Helen? Well, the guest that I am with now,

Walter, is David with SE Musical. I know you'll recognise a lot of the

faces in the bands because you have helped outfit them with all of

their pieces of regularalia. Yeah, everything from flutes, drums,

drumsticks, leg leathers, you name it, we do it, hats. Not just

Belfast? No our customer base is in Scotland, all parts of Northern

Ireland. We recently just finished the uniform for Ballymena Drums.

Does it get hectic at the last minute - people saying, "Oh, I left

my gloves on the bus! I need a new pair?" Yes, there were guys

yesterday getting gloves and snares. That's quite normal. It's maybe all

right for the guys in short-sleeved shirts, but there are people going

past in thick-clothed tunics. to come and do this interview I

walked behind young loyalists from Pollok in Glasgow. They last season

got a total military high-collar tunic. They made the decision

they'd keep their smart military appearance by wearing them. There

is a lot of conversation about thousand bands are looking. Yeah, a

lot of the bands pride themselves in their appearances. They spend

quite a lot of money tow achieve that. A lot of money? It can run

into thousands. I know your lodge is coming up at the very end of the

parade, so I'll let you get away to join them. It's nice to see you

again, David. All the best. Back to you.

Thank you, Helen. The BBC has been cost covering the Twelfth on

television for over 50 years, and now we can take a strip back in

time courtesy of the archive. is a lovely picture of the City

Hall. Yes, it hasn't changed a lot. And some of the wonderful costumes

people use. There are the Lambegs, you don't see in Belfast now, but

they were in those days and the Orange Archers which still appear

in many parts of the city - very large bands. Extremely large bands

there and, again, a lovely view there of the young drummer major

there. I wonder if he ended up being a Drum Major. There was still

a sense of fun, even in those days - interesting looking at the black

and white pictures, then moving back to colour - some energy being

expended there. And we can see how many brethren

were parading in the ages of colour. And the good crowds - this is,

again, the view of where we are today. There were decent crowds

then, but I think we can beat them this year. This is a lovely picture

of the Colour Guard and Colour Escort with their sabres. Not seen

now, the sabres. And going right back in time there. There is

Clifton Street, Orange Hall, where it all began this morning at

10.00am. And we're back live here in Bedford Street, and we're now on

to District 5, which is one of the largest districts with 27 lodges

and 14 bands, again, with one ladies' district in attendance as

occasionally as the parade backs up a little bit. I am not sure if

anybody's ever measured the length of the parade from beginning to end,

a couple of miles. You would certainly think so, as they come

past our position in the commentary box. You would think it's a mass of

Shirt-sleeve order, again, appropriate to the day. You would

definitely need it. The caps come lodges. That's the Martyrs of the

Grass Market, an area very close into Edinburgh Castle. It is. I am

just hearing the strains of Follow the Van, a Mary Lloyd classic.

There is everything from military music to popular tunes to hymn

tunes. There is. There is a wide variety on music being played today.

It's a tradition of the parade that it will take a break, and it looks

as if, in fact, we've reached that point now where the main parade

will rest for a few minutes and then continue on its way. That's

right, as they catch up - Helen Mark. I have just met a

lovely group of young students from America. They are... Kala. Katie.

Amanda. Kate. One of them told me earlier on they have rather a nice

tradition in parades in - where is it? In America, our parades - the

people marching throw candy at the audience so that we can - I don't

know - enjoy it. That is a great thing to do. We'll try to maybe get

that ordering for next year. Are you on holiday here? We're actually

studying with university the conflict with Northern Ireland.

This is the pinnacle of that for us. So you wanted to come and see the

parade for what reason? We wanted to study the culture and the

traditions. What do you think of the parade? I really like all the

different sections of - I don't know - just showing support for

each different group. Are you going to manage to fit in other things

when you're here in Northern Ireland? Yes, we're going to the

Giants Causeway tomorrow. Lovely. It's fantastic. You'll take in some

of our coastline when you're there. Is this a first time to Northern

Ireland? Absolutely. It has been amazing. The weather - we were all

worried about bringing rain boots and jackets. This inscredible.

lovely. The huge crowds we've got this year - are you impressed by

what's happening? Yes, it's big and exciting. There's so much energy.

It's great to just experience it. What about the music? What do you

think of the music? I really like the music, and I like the flutes a

lot. That's all we have time for. You can watch this programme on BBC