Round Up The Twelfth

Welcome to our look back at the Twelfth as the Orange Order

marks the 324th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Later in the programme we'll be taking a closer look at some of the

history and traditions of Orangeism and how plans are progressing to

precious film of the Twelfth of July over 90 years ago.

Good morning from our commentary at some of

Good morning from our commentary position as the parade makes its way

along Bedford Street on the way to the field. I joined this morning by

an Irish historian. Good morning. I am wondering whether you can

remember back many years to witnessing your first Twelfth

parade. It was in the middle of the 1960s. I was struck by the men's

size. It took three hours to pass. -- in men's size. The difference

between now and then is that there were like pipe bands, brass and

silver bands, it was very elegant and I was astonished. At the head of

the parade, the County Ground Orange Lodge of Belfast -- Grand. The

Miller memorial flute band following. -- Miller Memorial Flute

Band. Scotland is well represented. Guests include the deputy Grand

Master from Glasgow. -- Deputy Grand Master. This scene always attracts a

very big crowd in Bedford Street. The traffic islands do not interfere

too much with the Order of the parade. Big crowds, very big crowds.

You wonder if that is because of the lovely sunny morning we usually

have. The threat of rain has not diminished the size of the crowds

here. At very big and colourful spectacle. -- a very big. Some of

the bands have military style uniforms. One of the changes that

you would have noticed over the years is the fact that we do not

have lamb baby drums in the parade in Belfast any more -- Lambeg. There

are also no pipe bands. Those bands are keen on competitions. The lack

of Lambeg drums is because of their size. They are three feet in

diameter and way up to ?40. It is too much to walk the full length to

the field. Especially as the speed of the procession increased. There

are 17 demonstrations across Northern Ireland today. Belfast is

the largest web around 60 bands, many of them Scottish, accompanying

Orangemen and women from various districts. Very smart military

uniforms. Again, the look is as it would have been a century ago. Quite

an noisy scene here. That is part of what the Twelfth is all about. The

drummers are special to this procession. They got started in the

early 19th century in Enniskillen, there were up to 140 banners, all

showing King Billy crossing the Boyne. -- banners. Painters often

worked from a glass slide of the scene before painting it onto a

banner. Lodges are meeting across the country and while some are in

cities, many are based in rural areas. Claire McCollum has been to

the kingdom of Mourne to speak to members of one such historical

Lodge. -- Kingdom Of Mourne. Meeting in a small hall in the

idyllic mountains of Mourne is the Many members are also musicians

in the flute band and the lodge boasts over 150

members spanning three generations. This is Ballyvea just

outside Kilkeel. I have come to meet Jim Martin

and some members of his family. This is the biggest lodge

with around 150 members. We have a good recruiting officer

so that is a lot to do with it. It is a great place to be

and it makes me humble and proud. It is great that all

my family are members as well. Your father has been

in it over 50 years. What is your earliest memory

of coming to watch the parades? I used to just go with my mother

and watch the band. I have been in the band

since I was 11. And is it unique that many members

are also members of the band? We look forward to every

demonstration as well. Ballyvea 's band is over 50 strong

and been going for 137 years. It is good to say that you have

the biggest band. It is good for the kids

in school to say that. What age where you

when you became a member? Jim?s grandson Andrew is

the latest family member to join. And is this something you would like

to pass on to your children someday? And keep on passing it

down to the grandchildren What is it that you believe

holds this lodge together? From 1957 we have a prayer meeting

three nights in the month. I think that holds

families together. And there they are, 343A and their

band taking part in the Mourne More from Kilkeel later

in the programme. Now over to Markethill and Ralph

McLean. We have heard a lot about what it means for the Orange Order,

what does it mean for the community? You live up the road, how big an

event is this for the area? You live up the road, how big an

event is It is a bit -- it is a big event. It is great to bring lots of

people in. It is cross community as well. There is something about this

area which is resilient. Yes. Our well. There is something about this

motto is strength from within. We all gather together and work well.

This would not happen without teamwork. What about events

This would not happen without throughout the week? We think it is

a one-off, but lots has been happening through the week. We had a

pipe band had two during the week. We had Ulster Scots dancers. --

tattoo. It is brilliant. I have never missed a Twelfth parade. I

love the occasion. It is great. Enjoy the rest of the day. The

procession continues here in Markethill. We were talking earlier

about the community side. My guest knows all about that. What do you

guys do? We are a community development support network,

established in 2005 to try and open Orange Halls for community

activities. There is a wide range of community events happening in Orange

Halls across the area. What are we talking about? We have dance

classes, computer classes, different events for young people, senior

citizens clubs, a wide range of events. You have been involved in

this for a few years. Our 10th anniversary is next year. We are

hoping to celebrate that with more events. One of the things is

happening is we are linking up to deliver a project for young people.

You have also engaged in cross border work as well we have a good

working relationship with County Monaghan and engaged in a number of

cross-border study visits. We went to the Titanic centre in Belfast,

the Guinness brewery as well. We are delivering a project looking at the

great famine in Ulster. In terms of its been a big community event, you

feel that this is growing? Every year, it is getting bigger and

better and more and more people are participating. In County Armagh, the

numbers engaged in the Orange Order are increasing. There is a sense

that families are here, the place is full of families and this is a

family friendly event. Last night, there was a family event here with

fireworks and games and re-enactments. A big family event.

You would encourage people to get involved. It is an important aspect.

It is. There is so much happening around the Orange Halls and today at

our stand, we have linked in with Cancer Focus. Men are reluctant to

attend the doctors and they are being encouraged to get their blood

pressure checked stop it is the case of getting the message out there. We

have a website people can go to. We have a Facebook page as well. It is

an ongoing struggle to try and the message out. There needs to be more

funding for this type of work. We wish you all the best. Thank you for

joining us. We will go back to Belfast.

The Orange Order has a long and interesting history.

Recently I travelled to a place just outside Loughall to see

When you can see acres of apple trees, you can only be in

County Armagh. I am in the Diamond Grange, this is a very special

connection with Orangeism. What is the connection between this place

and Orangeism? It was here that the Orange Order was founded and we are

standing on the hill in North Armagh, really the epicentre of that

decisive battle of the Diamond in 1795, where we saw the birth of

Orangeism. How did it happen? It happened

quickly and was over quickly, the Catholic defenders over there just

opposite, the Protestant people were here and the defenders charged up

this hill to face the fire and perhaps 30 or 50 defenders soon lay

dead. One of the factors was that the defenders were born down by

their opponent and it was afterwards down

there that Orangeism was founded. By the triumphant day, boys. In the

aftermath, what happened? The victors pulled themselves together

and carried wounded down this hill and in the smoking ruins of the

cottage, which had been burned by defenders, they clashed hands

around the table and formed a brotherhood for protection. These

men with blackened faces from gunshot smoke, gathering in honour

of what they called the great deliverer, William of Orange, who

had brought them, what they believe, was civil liberties and from that we

got the Orange Society, soon to become

the Orange Order to defend the Protestant position in Ireland and

led to the Armagh clearance when something like 8000 Catholics were

driven from Ireland, County Down and Tyrone and the settling in County

Mayo and it all ended in bloodshed in the famous Irish insurrection. We

are surrounded by farmland and birdsong and yet, this

place was so significant in the history of the country? It is a very

quiet, gentle place with enormous history. Hilda, this is Dan Winter's

cottage and you have a very direct connection to that character? I'm

married Derek Winter, who was the direct descendant. When my husband

died, I needed somewhere to go and this was my refuge. You run this

on a voluntary basis and you have a great passion for it? I don't look

at this as responsibility, I just enjoy doing it and I think that the

story, the proper story of the Orange Order, should be known. The

proper birthplace and why it was started and what they stand for. Dan

Winter's cottage was right at the heart of the formation of Orangeism.

It was in this house, the decision was

made to form the Orange Order. A lot of memorabilia has

been added, people whose grandfather has died and they have presented

this. We have a chain of office from a lady who was a Grand Mistress in

America, her daughter posted this to me. What does this mean to you over

the years? I just love it, meeting the people. You can spend time going

out at night and you would not have as much fun as you would have here

and meeting people. I did not really set out to do this. 40 years ago, if

you said to me I would be doing this, I would say, catch yourself

What a wonderful day that was and what a joy to meet Hilda.

There was a warm welcome in Irvinestown for the County Fermanagh

demonstration. The long held involvement of the lodges joining

their counterparts from across the Lakeland County make this parade one

of the largest in the province. This is the first time since 2007

that Dungannon have hosted Twelfth celebrations. Killie man district,

with their new -- newly denigrated by direct added the parade. They

work commemorating the World War I centenary, with many people in

period dress. With 70 lodges and over 50 bands on parade, it was some

spectacle for the 40,000 or so who lined the streets of the town.

The entire Orange family of County Londonderry came together for the

flagship parade held in Limavady. It is 14 years since the city of

Londonderry marched alongside their rural counterparts. Visiting members

from the Orange Lodge in Nevada also took part in this parade. And with

90 bands of all persuasions, this lively procession proved very

popular with the Ruhr Valley crowds. In the harbour town of Kilkeel, the

parade is very family orientated, with 14 of the 15 lodges accompanied

by their own bands. Upwards of 1500 Orange men and women took part in

this seaside procession, with many visitors and holiday-makers swelling

the numbers of spectators. The seaport of lawn hosted one of

the three flagship parades. This coastal venue saw 70 lodges and up

to 50 marching bands pass through the town, with plenty of support

along the way. Larne district has a reputation for adding a creative

dimension to their parade. July a century ago saw the outbreak

of World War I, and for lodges with a direct military collection this is

a very significant anniversary. Claire McCollum went to talk to a

few members of two such lodges. Commemorating the centenary of the

outbreak of the First World War is particularly important for some

lodges, like this one, based in Clifton Street. Your Lodge, the 36

Ulster division Memorial, was formed in the trenches in the First World

War. Tell us about the rich history it has. It was formed in France and

this was after the Battle of the Somme. When they came back to

Belfast they decided they would form 977. I had a family connection which

brought me to the Lodge. My uncle Jackie, who was in the Lodge and

also in the Somme, carried the warrant of the Lodge in their

knapsacks. My grandfather was in the First World War and my father was at

the beachhead and other members of the family gave their lives. Why do

you feel it is so important to remember, Billy? To forget, and not

to remember, is seen. It is a sin not to. I believe that. The 1st of

July, the Ulster division lost most men on the Somme. On the Davis Lodge

was formed, we have had a parade to the Cenotaph and we lay a wreath

down there are so hopefully my grandsons, one of them will be

carrying the Rees. These are very special colours. Tell us about them.

These were in the royal house of needlework in London. The battle

honours are around it and I think it is the best. You are very proud of

it? Yes, I am. The story and -- historian Gavin

Hughes is an authority on the First World War. It is a very emotional

and poignant event, it reflects the gentleman behind us are doing what

the previous generations did. This is all about the losses and the

black ribbons on the colours demonstrate. Yet the men who started

this particular Lodge started it in the trenches of the First World War.

That is amazing. It is. They started while they were training to go off

to the front and then the trenches they continued this bond of

friendship. So when they came home in 1918 and 1919, it is natural they

have shared experiences. They joined and formed lodges to show solidarity

with those who did not come back. Another Lodge with a direct military

connection to the First World War comes from County Tyrone. Number one

was formed over 150 years ago and sits in Killie man hall just outside

Dungannon. We have decided to commission a small booklet leading

up to the war effort in 1914, compiled and written by Robert

Butler, who is a brother within 83. The book covers Viscount Northland,

who was the commanding officer of the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1914.

We have an old banner, which have depicted the Battle of the Somme on

the front and Viscount Northland's portrait on the reverse side. The

district asked me to decide a Ballarat, which would be at the head

of the parade in Dungannon this year. We felt it was a fitting

tribute to all those who died Orangemen who were in local lodges

here in the district. As you can see, I am dressed in uniform of the

Enniskillen Fusiliers. The Memorial Association, our badges dedicated to

the ninth battalion, known as the Tyrones. It is trying to educate our

young people about the relationship between both communities, who fought

and died during the First World War. You have got to remember these are

Irish and Ulstermen joining the ranks and Union flag, before

partition, and when they come back from the war they want their service

recognised and they want to try to make meaning of it in some way.

Markethill is a beautiful part the world and this is an historic

part of the world. It is. It is in an ancient parish and the town as we

know it was developed when the Earl of Gosford was created by King

James. It was the 17th century, this marvellous town grew and developed

into this lovely spot we are in today. The name Gosford

into this lovely spot we are in up in history, doesn't it? It does.

It was the second Earl whose up in history, doesn't it? It does.

petition by the newly formed Orange Order in July 1796 asked whether

petition by the newly formed Orange they could parade and he said, you

can, as long as you are sober and in they could parade and he said, you

an orderly fashion. And they did. What has been the highlights? They

have had a mix of styles here What has been the highlights? They

haven't they? We have had pipe and drum bands, and the Johnson Memorial

with the Lambeg drum, a lovely drum with the Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers

on it. A different experience from Belfast. How would you sum up the

difference in a country event like this? It is a family orientated

event here. We have pipe band is of course just passing us. This is

finishing of the parade here at Markethill. We have the Lambegs

behind us as well, always a great feature of country rural Twelfths.

behind us as well, always a great You can feel it in your diaphragm.

Thank you for being with us today. Thank you. From us in Markethill, I

had you back to Belfast. We are going to show you some rare

archive. This shows the Orange procession as it nears the City

Hall. These pictures are the first moving images of a 12 parade here in

Belfast after the partition of Ireland. The year is 1922.

the horses and carriages, which you do not see today. The large crowd as

well. That was taken in -- Castle Junction. There is dummy golf place.

-- Donegall Place. Look at the flat caps and everyone wearing hats. This

is the first Prime Minister addressing the demonstration. He

must be the only person without a hat. Craig, who was to become Lord

Craigavon played a major role in reviving the Orange Order and

bringing the middle classes and the aristocracy back into the movement.

Richard Hayward was a well-known writer and broadcaster with an

interesting link to Orange culture. Richard Hayward was

a well-known Northern Irish writer and broadcaster with an interesting

link to Orange Culture. Ralph McLean has been taking

a look at his life's work. What for you is the magic of

Richard Hayward? A lot of people joined the

Orange Order for the right reasons, for community and charity,

helping their neighbours. Richard Hayward promoted the Orange

songs and then on the turn of the heel he would do the Irish

songs as well in a way that was He could be both an Ulsterman and an

Irishman and British, or all three. He was at the forefront

of almost every enterprise. He was there at the start

of the BBC. He recorded many songs, both

traditional Irish and Orange songs. And he set up his own drama company

that put on a number of memorable He is remembered

for his travel books and thousands of people were introduced to

different parts of Ireland that they He joined the Orange Order

in 1957 and became a member He was a supporter of Orangeism

and the original ballad writer. That is a great way to get

into his work. He described the story of an English

visitor coming to Belfast to watch The Twelfth possession and being

slightly confused by it all. The Twelfth of July,

replied the exasperated Northerner. The visitor persisted, I know the

date quite well but this possession, Go home and read your Bible,

replied the outraged man. How important is he in terms

of music? An Orangeman with

an eclectic embrace of everything When people look back at that period

now they would see him Many of the songs he recorded

may well have been forgotten. How significant was his recording

of The Sash? It was the first recording

ever made of it on record. The version that is sung today,

the melody has changed. Do you think he stretched himself

a bit too thin and had It is possible because people

like to put someone in a box And that was the sort of man

Richard Hayward was. You may be interested to know that

a BBC exhibition "In Praise of Ulster" which celebrates the life

of Richard Hayward will be on display in Larne Library - Hayward's

home town - until the end of July. We have moved on to district Number

10, a smaller district with seven Lodges and five bands. You said that

when you first saw it, it was a three hour parade, it is taking over

two hours to pass here. I am very impressed at the variety of

uniforms. All ages represented, a young lady who may not remember her

first Twelfth. I am urging those will be treasured pictures. --

imagine. This is the Pink Ladies, a celebrated elements. Very colourful,

and other aspect of the colour of the day. Plenty of Orange

collarettes and sashes. We know that King Billy wore a sash in 1690 and

probably on July the 1st at the Battle of the Boyne. He made himself

so prominent that the day before Battle of the Boyne. He made himself

battles, someone from the other side, fired a shot at him and

managed to graze him. To change over to collarettes, that change came

around around the First World War to collarettes, that change came

when silk was The prominence of the flute band, very much an element of

the Twelfth these days. This is how they marched in the late 17th

century. The they marched in the late 17th

there. A rich embroidered uniform but bearskin. The sashes and

there. A rich embroidered uniform collarettes contain a lot of

symbols. The trumpet and light hark back to the old Testament. There is

the slaying belonging to David. -- sling.

Well, that is all we have time for, we hope you have enjoyed our

coverage of the parades and don't forget, you can watch The Twelfth

coverage again on the BBC iPlayer and keep up to date with our other

services including BBC News Online, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Online.