Live The Twelfth

Good morning from a very busy Belfast City Centre for this year's

coverage of the 12th of July demonstrations.

We are live for the next hour and a quarter as the 2016 Belfast

parade makes its way to the field on the outskirts of the city.

And we will also be following one of this year's flagship parades

in the beautifully scenic Kilkeel, which is where Ralph McLean is now.

The crowds have been out early today in the County Down town of Kilkeel.

They have already watched the parade make its way out of the town

towards Annalong to meet up with the lodges and bands

They are all now making their way back in again to Kilkeel

and will be here in the next 10 minutes or so, we hope!

And, of course, you can keep up to date with events throughout

the day on BBC Newsline, Radio Ulster and our online service.

But for now it's over now to the commentary box,

where Walter Love is joined by Dr David Hume.

Thank you. The parade is well and truly under way and I'm delighted to

have Dr David Hume with me. This is not the biggest parade although it

is the longest? It is probably the longest, about six miles on average

but a lot of lodges will walk further before they go back to their

own areas tonight. We will look at the root taken by the Belfast

parade, starting at Belfast Orange Hall and Clifton Street and it makes

its way to the City Hall by way of Royal Avenue and Donegall Place and

then passed us in the centre of time, up the Lisburn Road. Left onto

Balmoral Avenue and then onto Upper Malone and the field at its domain.

-- Barnett's Demesne. We are looking down Bedford Street towards the City

Hall and it is really a remarkable spectacle, doesn't it? It is a

fantastic vantage point to see all the bands and banners coming in this

direction. I wonder if you can tell me a little bit about the origins of

parading on the Twelfth? The first recorded parade was on the Twelfth

of July 1796, which comes from Markethill, Lord Gosford said the

letter to Dublin Castle to inform the authorities of ID parade and he

talks about Orange lodges from Portadown, Richhill and Loughall

being in that parade and that is a first recorded instance and there

was celebration of the battle of the Boyne in the years immediately after

and we have an from 1791 lead Twelfth of July procession but not

by the Orange Order, it was by an organisation called the ball in

society which predated the Orange Order. We are looking at the first

of the first districts and are actually ten districts although in

fact, nine because two of them were amalgamated some time ago. This is

North Belfast three, which has 15 lodges and ?6, one of which is a

Scottish band. There are quite a few Scottish bands in the parade today?

Yes, very strong connections with Scotland, particularly in the east,

and lots of links with Scottish bands here in Belfast, yes. It is

all was a very impressive sight and of course the weather plays a very

important part in this. It was a bit cloudy this morning with his son has

been coming out. It is a perfect today? Yes, it is a nice day from

marching, most people will probably be quite happy if they get to the

field trying to and if they get wet on the way home, it is not quite as

bad. One of the things becoming evident as they watch this parade is

the importance of the anniversary of the century of the battle of the

Somme, this which will -- this'll be reflected many ways. Yes, it is very

significant. There was a very large contingent of Orange band that serve

the Ulster Division and other regiments at the theSomme Anthony

First World War and that is reflected in some of those banners

and some of the re-enactments taking part. We have been looking recently

at the blue sashes and that is different from the Orange? Some

lodges will wear blue and some Orange and it varies to different

degrees within the institution. Some lodges are wearing collarettes, most

of them, some of them with the old-style sashes. I should mention

that other fields, platform proceedings begin at 2:45pm under

the chairmanship of County Grand Master George Cilic, Henry Dunbar,

Grand Master of Scotland, and a religious service conducted by the

County Ground Chapman, the Reverend Mervyn Gibson. There are three

resolutions, the faith, loyalty and the state. Those would be the

traditional resolutions proposed. And this year, it is significant in

terms of the Royal Family so that is reflected in one of the resolutions

in relation to the major anniversary for the Queen. This particular year.

And they have mentioned the desert by Prince Charles to the Orange

Museum in Loughall as well. -- the visit. We are looking in Belfast

that the lodges of Belfast County, originally that was part of Antrim

and down this night the first Orange Lodge in Belfast was formed in 1796

and originally a lot of those long to Antrim, entrance of Lisburn area

and in County Antrim, Lisburn was a very strong area for early Orangeism

and it spread into the city as well. We have said earlier that there are

six miles on this walk to the field last six miles back but of course,

for some lodges, they have a little bit extra? The lodges will have work

-- walked from their main halls in the city and some will have gathered

at the house of the master of the Lodge and what from his house, that

is a Belfast tradition. So some of them might walk about 18 or 20 miles

before they finish today. It will be a long day. District number three,

leading the parade, the Order of the parade rotates each year? Yes, the

Order of the district 's rotates and today it is number three district,

very historic year for them to lead. And they have probably one of the

historic lodges, the Ulster Division Memorial, quite appropriate for them

to be at the head of this particular parade, they were formed in England

during the First World War, they wear 862 military Lodge, from his

fast and other parts of the city would have formed Orange lodges when

they went to England. That is one of the lodges that relates to that. We

are moving to District four, both of which represent North Belfast,

District four is a smaller district with eight lodges and four bands.

And I am going to hand you back to Helen Mark who is on the street with

some people. There is a lot of signed on the street at the moment

and I am standing with Andrew Irvine, the Belfast City Centre

Management manager, it is a clear day, what is happening throughout

this? The parade takes around 2.5 hours to

pass through the city so little Bedford Street at around 12:30pm and

the wanted viewers to know that the city is open today, the shops will

be open from noon and we have a great food market in City Hall and

street performers beside us. Something in the city today for

everybody. Really great family day, lots of entertainment for the

children, the city is open until 4:30pm and my messages, there is

something for everyone, the matter what age, something for everyone,

the matter what community you are from. What is behind us is maybe not

for you, but, long after 12:30pm and you will find a very open city with

lots of entertainment. We have these entertainers on the go, great for

families. The shops are open and it is business as usual, that is very

important? Yes, they set this are massive, it is our easiest day in

terms of football, around 40,000 visitors but that is not necessarily

help business. So we have done a lot of work over the last six years to

make the businesses are open and the shops are open and trying to educate

the public that the city is open on the Twelfth all day. Thank you for

joining us. Now, the parade is well underway

here in Belfast as well as in many towns across Northern Ireland -

18 demonstrations The largest district -

with 1,000 Orangemen - is from the Mournes

and they are parading in Kilkeel. Has the parade reached

the town yet, Ralph? We are in a glorious setting in the

Shadow of the mountains and were on the doorstep of the Irish Sea.

Kilkeel is a time steeped in history.

I'm joined this morning by historian Dr Gavin Hughes.

Here we are in the ancient kingdom of morning and I can see King

William on his horse coming down the street. An agent, old, Kilkeel named

after the church on the narrow ground, on the 18th century it was

known for smuggling. We are steeped in history and what a great day it

is for people to enjoy. There is a rich history and a special kind of

day that sets it apart? It is, we have over 1000 brethren parading but

elsewhere in County Down, but this is a flagship, they have 15 lodges

and 14 others lodges are accompanied by their own bands. And Ballinran

leading us. Yes, Ballinran leading with a melody flute band which is

one of -- accolades in northern England and Scotland. It is passing

us right now. Nice atmosphere, it feels good family friendly event? It

does, you get the feeling that this is very much a Mourne community

event and it is very family orientated and it is lovely to see.

Although it is small, it is perfectly formed? So many people

here and such a community vibe? I am noticing some 17th-century uniforms

going past. Maybe I am distracted a little bit but we can see so many

crowds, young, old, and that is reflected in the bands themselves.

And World War I will inevitably feature heavily? Very much so. It is

going to be very poignant because obviously this is the centenary of

1916 and a lot of the parades and lodges will have memorabilia and

reflections on the dead of the Somme. Poignancy to the

celebrations. Looking forward to it? Absolutely. Let's go back to Belfast

and Walter. We are still with district four, the parade pausing.

Obviously a very large logistical exercise parading so many bands and

lodges through the city centre on the way to the field, which is that

Barnett's Demesne. I mentioned that District four is

one of the smaller restricts on parade today in Belfast and we will

be followed by District five, which is from Sandy Row, one of the

largest, with 25 lodges and a level bands. Some of those, again, our

visitors from Scotland. -- 11 bands. The air is filled with the sounds of

the bands as they come nine through the tall buildings of Bedford

Street. Very fine military style uniforms with many of the bands. A

lot of these bands over the years have gone for these military style

uniforms. And very impressive they are, also very expensive, it takes a

lot of money to keep the bands on the road with these uniforms. I

imagine some of the costs involved the uniforms but also the

instruments? There is a lot of money involved in getting out the bands

with instruments. Some of them not as expensive as others, silver

bands, an instrument might cost ?3000 for an instrument, but bands

are not quite as expensive but you can see the size of these, very

large, there would be a very large bill whenever the instruments are

required. You certainly really get a close-up

of the bands. Lilies there, which very often appear on the drums.

Orange lilies are very symbolic for the institution and the bands, there

seems to have been a good bloom of them from what we can see this year.

Is that a happy coincidence that that colour lily is in bloom at this

time of the year? It can be, depending on a particular climate in

any given July. They seem to have come out in bloom in time for this

year. Lots of orange lilies have been planted by different lodges,

more so than previous years. And this is the beginning of

district number five from Sandy Row. Just before we came an hour, the

head of the Belfast parade pass the commentary and Amara positions at

the junction of Bedford Street and the Dublin Road. -- commentary and

camera positions. This is the view as the head of the

parades made its way from Donegall Square into Bedford Street and

towards the cameras. The parade has at the head the county, party

carrying the memorial standards. The head of the colour party is Jacob

Radford. The band, a very important band in the parade in Belfast, is

the Miller Memorial flute bands. They have been leading the parade

since 1976. I think that makes it the 40th year. That is an incredible

honour. A really big honour for a band to be at the head of such a

large parade and with so many people spectating as you go past. The bands

must be... It must be unbelievable, really. We are looking at 100

riflemen from the 36th Ulster Division meant group, a significant

part of the Belfast parade this year on the centenary of the Battle of

the Somme. A very significant anniversary, the connections with

the Ulster Division are very, very strong. With the Orange institution,

particularly strong. Any Orange Lodges, the bulk of their members

join the Ulster Division and went to war, many did not come back. -- many

Orange Lodges. It is poignant for many lodges. Here we have the

nurses, the representation of the nurses and the way they were

dressed. Many young women went into battle in the First World War in the

nursing units? A lot of these people came through the old Ulster

Volunteer Force, there was a nursing Corps, they joined up and went off

to France and went to war. It is significant that they are portrayed,

sometimes in terms of history we forget women and the roles they

play, it is important that that is at the front of the parade.

We noticed quite a few colorectal, rather than sashes. That is a trend?

-- we noticed quite a few collarettes. It was easier to

produce collarettes, that is how the order developed. In Canada, for

example, they are small shoulder flashes. This is a representation of

some of the vehicles, the ambulances that were in the First World War at

the Somme? This is a fantastic portrayal of the First World War in

the parade, it brings it all home to people. It is very well done.

Those were the scenes at the head of the parade earlier this morning, but

Helen Mark is now live in Bedford Street.

We've just seen the 100 riflemen from the 36th Ulster Division

re-enactment group at the head of the parade, and I'm

joined now by Philip Orr, historian and author of The Road

How many Orangemen headed to the First World War? I would say there

is a global story. Figures that the Orange Order themselves have

compiled would suggest maybe 200,000 Orangemen from all across the world.

I really emphasise that. In Canada, Barak Sample, well over 30,000

Orangemen would have joined the Canadian expeditionary Force, the

New Zealand Prime Minister was an Orange manatee requested recruit

went from Orangemen in New Zealand. In Ireland, it is hard to bid

figures on it but we know that the 36th Ulster Division which bought so

famously on the Thursday of July would have many, many Orangemen. Did

they keep any Orange traditions in the army? The reference of lodges

met behind the lines. There were new lodges actually founded when the man

were in Sussex training -- the brethren of lodges. So they brought

their traditions to France. Some people think that it created a very

special bond inside battalions in the British Army, because of that.

Why is the first day of the Somme offensive,

out of all the First World War battles, so very

That was the 1st of July, 1916? Yes, first ball, because the loss of

life, thousands of young men dying in the space of about 36 hours. --

yes, first of all. We have a pretty good idea that men would have

recognised that the 1st of July had been the date of the Battle of the

Boyne. Men went over the top, some of them with loyalist slogans, there

were even stories of some men coming of the top wearing Orange

collarettes or sashes. In the 1920s when Northern Ireland was being

founded, the story of the Somme became an important founding

narrative, just as the Easter Rising matted in the Irish free State, it

became very poor ten story. Thank you for joining us. Back to you,

Walter. -- it became a very important story. We are looking at

district number five, based on Sandy Row, one of the largest district in

the Belfast parade. Some very large lodges and impressive bands taking

part. Omagh protestant boys are one of the biggest once taking part,

they have troubled far, also some Scottish bands. Sandy Row is proud

of its history. They probably had the first purpose-built Orange Hall

in Belfast. I know many places claim that King William parked himself in

various locations on his way to the Boyne, Sandy Row being one of them?

King William's horse was very busy on its way to the Boyne! But there

is a tradition on Sandy Robert King William came through there on his

route into County Down. Maybe we can consider the origins of the order.

Who were the founders of the Orange Order? A number of men which

additionally seen as the founders. After the Battle Of The Diamond,

James Wilson, traditionally seen as the main figure in volts. He had an

organisation similar to the Orange order. He and other men got

together, James Wilson was one of them, James Lowe was another. The

first warrants for the order were issued at James slowed's inn. We are

joining Ralph McLean in Kilkeel again.

Still busy and noisy. It is a great chance for the more district to

welcome visitors from around the world. These two are Portuguese, a

great time to be from Portugal, winning the U rose! Gonzales, as a

first-time visitor to Kilkeel on the Twelfth, what do you make bed? It is

a wonderful day, traditional, really awesome. Patricia, do you have

anything like this in Portugal? Many traditional things, but nothing like

that. Patricia is not a very Portuguese name, do you have Irish

blood? I don't think so! Unfortunately, I do not have family

here. How would you describe this event to people at home? The girl it

is colourful, really musical, a parade, it is awesome. You will be

coming back? Hopefully. Great to see you, all the way from Portugal,

winners of the Euros. Kilkeel is full of history, as I found out

earlier. The kingdom of Mourne has long been

celebrated in music and song, but there are still some hidden gems. We

are just outside Kilkeel, this village was built by the Scottish

settlers in the early 1600s. The Kingdom of Mourne is an Ulster Scots

Hartland, the traditions are strong, rich and vibrant. We would have lots

of visitors, we would send them appeared to experience what life was

like chewing the early 1600s, to live here as an Ulster Scot.

When the Scottish settlers first came over in the early in 1600s, as

well as bringing their Ulster Scots language, dance, music, culture and

traditions, they've bought Presbyterianism, and this is one of

the largest Presbyterian congregations. It is known as The

Big Meeting House. To another meeting house, this is Kilkeel's new

Orange Hall. It is the third building, the first

one was built in 1869, the second in 1922, which has just been torched to

the ground, this new one has been built. Lots of thought and planning,

about three years of planning went into this. Absolutely magnificent,

as you can see. I hope we will be here for at least another 100 years.

Our Orange Lodge in Mourne, it is somehow unique from other places,

for the simple reason that it is so family orientated. It is just a day

that everybody looks forward to. Mourne is unique in another way, the

fact that we have the largest Orange Lodge in the whole of Northern

Ireland, we have the largest number of Orangemen for anyone district. --

any one district. Along with their faith and cultural

traditions, the Ulster Scots settlers brought fishing skills to

Kilkeel. Today the busy harbour still thrives.

What a beautiful setting we have. It is an incredible little town. Pamela

Houston is here from Kilkeel Development Association. What does

it mean to the town? It is a fantastic data have the Twelfth, it

is traditional, very rule all, much different than you will get in

Belfast. Very family orientated, very much people coming in, meeting

up for the once yearly spectacle. As you can see from where we are, we

are in one of the most beautiful parts of Northern Ireland. Kilkeel

is the capital of the Kingdom of Mourne, an area of outstanding

natural beauty. With the mountains, the sea, we have the biggest fishing

community in Northern Ireland. We are the home of great seafood. Being

a flagship parade is important for the town? Absolutely. Kilkeel will

always put on its very best face. It yet. The bands are very traditional.

You will see family and friends coming together. It is great to see

such a traditional pageant in Kilkeel. Everybody is enjoying

themselves. It is family friendly fun. What would you like people to

take away from it? We have spoken to people from Portugal, you get

visitors coming into the district, what would you like them to tell

their friends and families? We would like them to come back and visit

Kilkeel, we have little independent shops, very friendly, a great

welcome. If you come to the Mournes, there are mountains, C, lots to do,

you will have a wonderful time in the Mournes, Kilkeel is the place to

come. Thank you, enjoy the rest of your day, Pamela. Gavin, we are

seeing flutes and hearing pipes. In terms of the First World War

commemorations, what other connections with Kilkeel? One of the

bands and lodges just passing as is 343 B, Robert Hannah won Victoria

Cross on the 21st of August 1817. He emigrated to Canada, joined a

Canadian Lodge, we are very proud of him and Kilkeel and think they will

be unveiling a banner to him this year. History is important in kill

Keel but, for now, we will hand you back to Belfast.

-- in Kilkeel. COMMENTATOR: In Bedford Street we have come to the

end of district number five. They were accompanied by the ladies of

Sandy Row, ladies district number one. David, I think that ladies are

playing an important part in the parade today? Yes, in Sandy Row the

ladies Lodge is a credit -- the ladies' Lodge is accredited. Sandy

Row is closely associated with women's oranges. I think you will

see quite a few Sandy Row ladies on parade today.

The parade is moving into District six, which is the largest district

in the Belfast parade. Representing Ballymacarret, with six lodges and

20 bands. Here are some of the women, looking very smart and

playing an important part in this parade. Yes, number six was formed

in 1872, that was in the early years of Belfast County, the county was

formed in 1863, so these districts were formed arising out of that and

when the county was formed, there were 90 individual lodges in the

city, a very large number even at that point. We can go to Helen, who

is in the crowd. As we heard from Kilkeel, the Twelfth is a very big

family day out and it is no exception here, this family, Karen

Singleton. And this is my sister. I am her daughter, Nikki Singleton.

What is your name? David. We would not miss you in the crowd, that is

for sure! Every year we dress up, we have been coming here for 20 years,

I'm only brought us when we were little and we are now bringing our

grandchildren! When I recognised her face? You always come to the same

spot? Every year, same spot, it is handy for the car. Great sites! We

always come to the same spot. What do you like about this day? We love

it, the music, so exciting. Well organised. And the weather is great.

That is incredible, but bow, nice to meet you! -- that bow. Thank you,

Helen. There is this lovely view looking along the length of Bedford

Street towards Donegal 's with the linen Hall library forming the

backdrop to that and we have another magnificently attired band. I

understand they have new uniforms. We were talking earlier about the

uniforms and that is particularly impressive from East Belfast, this

regimental band. And look at those decorations on those collarettes.

Some people collect different badges and some have badges for long

service and the large emblems as well, some of those sashes would be

quite heavy by the time they are finished! That is one of the things

about a very long parade like this, and depending on the weather, those

sashes must be at risk in the bad weather? Nobody likes a very wet day

because it impacts on the sashes and banners and in the country areas it

impacts on the music, the Lambeg from, so nobody likes that. -- drum.

Lovely evidence of the collarettes one by so many today. -- warned by

so many. Word of those banners come from?

Manufactured here? There was one manufacturer in Northern Ireland so

most of them would come from Northern Ireland, there is one

full-time and some part-time so most of these would be local and in the

past there were manufacturers in England and Scotland, there was a

company near London in the early 1900s that made a lot of banners.

Trade unionists and church banners also. -- and trade union banners.

And they can cost between ?2000 and ?3000 to produce.

The richness of the collars in those banners, and on a variety of themes?

There is great artistry. And yes, historical themes, they might be

people connected to the lodges. Martin Luther, the anniversary

coming up next year in terms of his famous thesis on the church door.

We're going back to Kilkeel and Ralph McClean.

Bands of all ages, young and old. That is the thing, we have got two

lodges who have just paraded and they have warrants signed in 1873,

Brunswick still carries that warrant, signed by the trick of

Cumberland. The fifth son of King George III. And he actually lost his

eye fighting with the Hanoverian 's. They have that history. We would be

lost without you as well. This is a lovely event and we can see the

banners and we can hear the different instruments, there is a

range of musical sounds. We have accordion bands, flute bands, pipe

bands and a silver band which accompanies the true blues. They

have the honour of putting up the arch every year. Doing the double!

Lots of busy people here today. And lots of great stories throughout

this parade? Very much so, we can see Cranfield going past, they have

a banner nodding to the Second World War, these mountains, that is where

the American strain for D-Day, huge amounts of history coming through

the streets. We can see them passing. Lots of folks lining the

streets. Great turnout? Very much so. It is nice to see everybody

enjoying themselves, not quite in the sunshine but it is warm, my stay

from walking. As a historian, this is Nirvana? Absolutely, I have seen

a banner from 1870, sorry, 1875, stereo, that is a first time it has

been trading since 1901. Lots of little nods to the past and there is

this morning tradition to be friendly. You are from not too far

away? From Banbridge, this is a joke that Kilkeel is behind the mountains

and we joke that were behind the mountains. It has been agreed before

you. Enjoy the history. -- has been a good day for you. Back to Belfast.

Thank you again. Again, we look down Bedford Street,. There is less

formal wear in the parade today? Yes, there appears to be some very

optimistic people today, not many suits in this particular lodge. And

for some people, this is an opportunity to be more relaxed, I

think, when you get a good day, weather-wise. And the armbands being

worn as part of the Somme commemorations. Yes, symbolising the

different battalions from the Ulster Division and they represent

different areas of the city. Those emblems. Bringing back the memory of

the events of 100 years ago. Very major events for the city of

Belfast. And the battle of the Somme was of the major consequence in the

city. Is this a big effort, to carry a bass drum from Clifton Street six

miles to the field? They will relieve each other, as they are

doing at the moment, they will make sure they stage this so that nobody

is carrying it too far. It is a very energetic job, as we can see. Even

playing that would be one thing. Yes, it is a very long haul for some

people and be bass drum is a very important instrument for many of the

bands so they are very enthusiastic and usually very loud and is another

drummer after a little while so they will not get tired out. We can

actually feel them going past! Definitely! Young people practising

for the future, maybe? There are no sore feet at the moment. And again,

we are still within District six? Yes, very large. And they will have

come this morning from Ballymacarret Orange Hall across to the city

centre to join the parade. And there are few Scottish bands with this

district as well. Pride of Govan. They are joining number six. This

must be a great day out for summoning Scottish Orange personnel?

The Scottish lodges and bands will have had their parades so the

Twelfth of July in Northern Ireland is a very big event for them to come

to an lots of them will have family connections, some of the lodges will

be connected and some of the bands will come from here over to

Scotland. They know each other quite well. And the bearskin hats. Part of

the traditional military uniform? Indeed and some of these are very

well turned out. Very smart John Major. He certainly is. -- drum

Major. Again, another representation of the

imagery of these banners. That is quite a popular image, the Bible and

the crown, lots of banners would have similar images and sometimes

they will be designed, he spoke, as well. Many districts have been

commemorating the centenary of the Somme. With music from the era,

banners and bannerettes. And even with costume. For one pipe and in

County Donegal, it is all in the name.

Donegal has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

It also has a very Loyal association with the Twelfth of July

celebrations. Especially in the east of the county.

We have come to Convoy, home to the award-winning Thiepval Memorial

band. By Thiepval? A name synonymous with the battle of the Somme. The

band would have originally been known as Convoy Ulster unionist pipe

and win first formed in 19 five and then a lot of men from the area

heading off to the First World War and a lot of them lost their lives,

something like 18 from this locality did not come back. They were from

both sides of the community and I believe there were three sets of

brothers who did not return. As result of that, the members of the

band at that time decided to rename it as Thiepval Memorial. I think

remembering someone's sacrifice, I know it was a different time and a

harsher time, so these men headed off and showed a lot of bravery. It

means a lot to us. Particularly for maybe some of the newer members who

have come in, they are asking, what is this name all about? I am the

pipe Major. I joined this imaginative too. I just played as a

piper until I was 20. And I was put in as the pipe Major in 2003. Until

recently he would have self taught most members, they would have been

local children. But in the last four or five years, we find there was

very little children coming through so most of the players, half of them

would be from Northern Ireland. Just across the border, Castlederg, new

buildings, Londonderry. We're very proud to have the name Theipval

Memorial, people will ask us, what the name stands for. Where does it

come from? We will have no hesitation in explaining that we

were named after the men who left Convoy in 1916 and did not return.

And the Thiepval Band is a very fine pipe band, so lovely to hear the

story of how bats began. When you come to the Twelfth, everybody will

get package, I think we have found the perfect solution. This is Fiona

Chapman, explain what you have set up especially for today? Hallen, we

have set up a London bus outside City Hall with tea, coffee and loads

of cake. A London bus, a lovely, big, red double-decker? Yes, it is

50 years old, she came from Nottingham last year and is done up

all spanking new inside with lots of timber and quirky, funny, different

things. You read said City Hall? Yes, we go different places all

across the year. -- you are outside City Hall. Good God we love going to

different festivals and things. This is your first Twelfth? Yes, with the

bus. How has it gone? We have met lovely people, had a great day so

far, lots of visitors, looking forward to more. Now, you could not

have a better example of what he's is the Twelfth, a good, big slice of

Orange cake? Orange cake and a nice, hot cup of tea with sugar. Nice to

meet you, thank you very much. Back to you, Walter.

David and I do not have tickets for the bus. We are overlooking this

magical view down Bedford Street. I hope you are keeping an eye on where

we are. We are still number six district, just making its way

through the centre, Walter, towards the Lisburn Road. It is a very large

district. Again, huge crowds lined either side of the street, and very

colourful looking. There are large crowds along the street in front of

us, getting a good weather Dave, no umbrellas up this point. A very nice

morning. -- no umbrellas at this point.

There was a little bit of disrupt Sran here in Ormeau Avenue this

morning. But, as you can see, everything is back to normal. And in

the crowd, people of all generations, family parties gathered

here. It is an important part, there is a generational aspect which is

very significant in all areas for these parades, you will find

different generations. We are watching the live colour pictures of

the 2016 parades, but in 1969, things looked rather different.

From full colour to the days are black and white television in 1969,

from this archive film clip. The parade had a much more formal look,

Sunday best at its best, and with an eye on the weather, rolled

umbrellas. Nothing changes, we always keep an eye on the weather!

But very much the tradition of the parade in those days, this is the

age of the miniskirts, in contrast to the dark suits. As in today's

parade, Scottish participation in evidence. I suppose a certain amount

of athleticism was a help at any time on these parades. But the vast

crowds, many of them for the duration, I think, maybe the

television cameras were a new attraction on the streets of

Belfast. And no traffic islands. There was the picture today of the

Ulster Hall, a representation, perhaps, of 19th-century Belfast.

Also, of course, there is the Northern Ireland Invest Building, a

representation of 21st-century architecture, and Windsor house,

sharing the changing face of Belfast over the years. -- showing the

changing face. One of a number of lodges were connected to different

workplaces, Harland and Wolff, men from those workplaces that form the

large in 1949. It features the Harland and Bull shipyards, Samson

and Goliath, they are very prominently on the banner. -- the

Harland and Wolff shipyards. Many of these areas have had an industrial

background? That would have been a Baker's' Lodge, a shipwrights'

Lodge. Lots of people came into the city in the early 20th century to

work in the factories, the mills and the shipyards, it was an important

part of keeping their identity with them, keeping their roots. You find

a number of lodges in Belfast named after County Monaghan, County

Donegal, for example, showing where the founders came from. The Order is

represented across the world. How did the Orange movement spread out

of these islands? Three main ways, firstly through military lodges,

from the 1798 period. There were lodges given warrants by the grand

Lodge within regiments, when they went to different parts of the world

they took the warrant with them and bond civilian lodges in places like

New Zealand. We have an account from Canada in 1799 of an Orange parade,

that is down to a military Lodge. The largest way that it spread with

Protestant immigration from Ireland. Lunch we all in Canada, for example,

the first Orange lodges were formed by people coming from County

Tipperary. The third way that it spread Anglican missionaries in West

Africa, there are still lodges in on a macro and Togo today as a result

of that. -- there are still lodges in Ghana and Togo. Fascinating.

Many of the men and women taking part in the parade today have been

doing so since they were children. Claire McCollum caught up with local

football legend David Jeffrey, he was following in his father's

footsteps. You have brought me some were very

close to your heart? Extremely close, I have been coming here since

I was Twelfth years of age. You go ahead. Ballymena United manager

David Jeffrey may be better known for his skills on the sidelines, but

football is not the only thing he plays. This is a room full of

memories? You are now very welcome to the band hole of the Conservative

flute band, a band in which I play the flute. Right from when I was

very young. We are very much about family. I had to get my glasses on.

You will see the history all around the walls, but I will have typically

said. My father, Kenneth, chairman and treasurer to this day. Myself,

my brother Billy in the front row, now the conduct of the band. My

brother Kenneth, my uncle Ronnie who has passed, his father, my uncle.

This is a particular favourite of mine. It is because our band in July

1948 won second prize at Windsor Park. It was meant to be!

That passion for music has been passed down through five generations

of the family, and these days his father can still likes to keep a

watchful eye over band prep this. Daddy was always very keen to get it

into the band. I remember very much wanting to play the drums. Dad says,

no, David, we need to flute players, so he taught me the flute. The first

march we learned was Christian Soldiers. I went to high school,

played in the orchestra and school bands and what have you. I got to

grade eight, largely down to my mother. As a young man, I played at

Manchester United, part of the deal was that I would continue with my

education, including my musical tuition. I still have the flute

which Manchester United bought me. I absolutely love playing, fantastic

instrument. The wonderful thing about coming here is I just come to

play the flute. Billy conduct the band, leads the band, I sit back and

enjoy the evening. What we have always done is make sure that we

emphasise not what divides us but what brings us together. We play in

the May Day celebrations in Hollywood, we play in the local

churches, local fairs, we go around the nursing homes that Christmas

and, yes, we also march with the Loyal orders. Do you have a

favourite June? Mulla Street is a nice, tight march. -- more street.

You can see the shoulders going, you have an extra skip in your step. If

the bass drum does not go too quick, you can get all the notes in as

well! I remember your first Twelfth. Earlier this year, David was

presented with the Grand Master's award for his contribution to local

football at Iraq issue of his managerial achievement. -- and in

recognition of his managerial achievement. I am incredibly proud

to be a member of the richest attrition. When I got the award, I

was amazed and felt very humbled. I was particularly pleased for my

parents. It was very much an unexpected award. David is not the

only one of the family to be honoured this year. Father was AT

last December, because he has got to that grand old age she has been

awarded an honorary life membership. The first one in the family. We as a

family are tremendously proud. He already has his 50 year medal, to be

recognised by your own private Orange Lodge is something very

special. What you think my grandad would say? He would be proud as a

peacock. He would be well pleased. He would. Pop, I am so massively

proud of you. Thanks very much. Do you see yourself going on to the

age your father is now? God willing, if I am still here. But I will be

part and parcel of Bali keel Conservative Flute Band until my

Father in heaven joins me home. -- Ballykeel Conservative Flute Band.

Commentator: Hopefully The Weather Will Stay Fine For the parade.

Earlier on this morning, the parade paused at the City Hall

This happens every year but there was deeper significance this year,

marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Reefs were laid by

several of the leading personnel here today. -- wreaths were laid.

The bugler is pass muster Georgie Spence.

BUGLER PLAYS LAST POST. The County Grand Master, the deputy

County Grand Master and the master of three districts, plus the Grand

Master of Scotland are laying the wreaths.

A very significant moment. The head of the parade reached

Donegall Square and went into the gardener from entrance, to the

Cenotaph. Things are a little bit quieter at

the moment, just a little. Where are we now in the parade? We have just

moved out of number six district through the smallest district,

districts seven and eight. Five lodges and three bands. We will

shortly be with district number nine. Of this is the situation in

Belfast, let's go back again to Ralph McLean in Kilkeel.

Thank you very much. I am joined by Trevor McConnell, more district

master. It has been a busy day? A very busy day. A big event last

night with the pageantry. The town was filled to capacity. The field in

the Manse Road where we are going now was full of people. A tremendous

occasion. We have cleared the field up this morning and last night, we

are now ready to go down. Every large has its own picnic in the

field. Then we will have a drumhead service. We started very early this

morning. We would normally be coming through Kilkeel about now. It has

been tremendous to get all the lodges wanting to be here early.

Maughan has a big Orange fraternity. We are very well supported by the

churches here, the Orangemen support their churches as well. The band

from earlier, we could see them on screen, the difference between the

Irish pipe and the Scottish pipe, you can see? That is a key element.

Lots of the military bands would have used Irish pipes, right until

1968. Our band, my bands, it was formed in 1968, I have been playing

the Irish pipe since 1968. The chanter has keys on it, other than

the Scottish chanter. It has more notes. There are only about five

bands in Northern Ireland with those pipes. There is one in Newcastle.

There are a couple in County Tyrone. We try to keep the tradition up. I

am now 46 years or whatever piping. I really enjoy it. And the

atmosphere, very much family orientated?

The family so can other around, the large numbers or put around the

field and a number of lodges have a number of cars allowed to go in with

elderly Orange Ben Ando families and they will be a picnic in the field

and the service starts at 1:30pm with the Reverend William Bingham of

Mourne Presbyterian Church. We won't keep you back further. Enjoy the

rest of your day. People come out to the parade

here in Kilkeel for all sorts of reasons -

the atmosphere, to meet up with old friends,

to make new friends or to just Always a favourite in Kilkeel's

Twelfth parade is the pride of Ballan ran Flute band. The fruits

are piece of precision craftsmanship that produce a clear quality side.

They were Miller Wicks Flutes and there are made locally. Miller Wicks

was a London-based company originally and they started

manufacturing the marching band flutes. A number of bands or these

flutes and the band ironmen also bought them so we have a long

relationship with these guys. In 2005 they decided to retire and we

thought it would be a good idea if some of us actually went over and

went to see if we could do this and we saw all of the equipment and we

saw how to do the work, how to make the flutes and we decided we would

purchase the company. We kept the name Miller Wicks but we were not

going to change that because it is a brand name that is recognised

worldwide. We brought the company across and set up year and from then

on we have been making the Miller Wicks Flutes. Two of us are involved

in the manufacturing process, myself, Paul and Kenneth, who does

the key work. I do all of the wood turning and Kenny puts all of the

keys and pillars onto them. The word comes from Africa and it is seasoned

in excess of five years and produces a lovely tone. They are quite easy

to play. Eleanor picking up the Flute from the word go can easily

get a good note from it. -- a learner.

But only do we have the pleasure of making the B-flat flutes, we have

the joy of playing them because they're both members of the pride of

Ballinran flip and we play these every week and practice and on

parade. Fascinating. On the street, lots of

visitors coming to the city, I would like to introduce you to Mike

Bullen. Brandy. We're from North Carolina. We travelled all of

Ireland and this is where we finished. So, yes. You were filming

earlier on other you get the best pictures on the BBC expects what

were you filming? I was filming all the bands and the parade going by.

Catching what I could on film to take back from and show the family.

And you have a serious camera. What are you up to? Taking pictures to

probably put on my website and blog my travels. Have you seen parades

like this before? No. How will they go down on the website? It will be

interesting, I would like to see the comments. What might people say? I

not sure. It is very military so I am interested to see what people

have to say about it. Well, thank you very much and enjoy the rest of

the day. Nice to meet you. Back to Walter. Thank you. The parade has

been with us in our position in the centre of Belfast for just over one

hour, one hour and ten minutes, and that is why we have a little bit of

a break but the drums are picking up again. We shall get a performance in

front of the cameras. David, I am just wondering, there are a lot of

family traditions in the lodges, either personal memories for you of

this? One of my earliest is of my father going down the road from the

large hall to the nearby church where they still walk today, the

silver band. Fantastic band and I have memories of that. It is very

good to see tradition going on here, and a bit of education with young

drummers. Meantime, we shall go to Ralph in Kilkeel. Kilkeel has been

quite a day and there has been lots of pageantry. And lots of people on

the streets. It has gone quiet but I with Dr Gavin Hughes. Quite a day?

It has. And the Sundays beginning to break through, lots of interesting

things going on, King Billy on his horse, leading the parade and the

district bannerette is new and it has the Ulster Tower on it,

reinforcing the symbolism of 1916 and the Battle of the Somme. We are

looking at footage from earlier on. The commemoration of World War I has

been significant throughout. It has, and we're just seeing the banner of

number 506, Cumberland County the banner has been unfurled for the

first time and it has a 1st of July, a very significant thing. All of the

different styles of music have added to the atmosphere. Quite special? It

was. I was very struck by Ballyveigh, the largest in the

world, it took a long time for them to grow that. And then we have three

for three an and B, with its First World War connection. We're quite

honoured and privileged to see some many varying styles of music on

display and the various uniforms and the pageantry. And the banners as

well. Quite often they are brand-new here. Exactly and that shows the

amount of dedication, I think Ballyveigh has had a new banner of

the Orange Hall, the Alfred Edie Hall, painted by William McGowan,

and it is lovely to see that. In the natural surroundings of the Mourne

Mountains, a bit like us! It is so picturesque and there is something

about the atmosphere it apart and it is the kind of place with the kind

of history you can keep on digging into? You have got the family rates,

it is basically about people of the Mourne District and what comes

across is how family orientated this is and how deeply passionate people

are about this, you come here and have a lovely warm welcome. Very

much so. Thank you for your help. The parade is still taking a break,

bearing in mind we have been on the road for one hour and 20 minutes,

maybe, and they have another 90 minutes before they get to the

field! Earlier on, the honour of leading the Belfast parade after the

colour party, district number three from North Belfast, again, and

medium-sized district with 15 lodges and six bands. And the Millar

Memorial reading that. Millar Memorial have a long tradition of

leading the Belfast parade, the very great honour to do so. They are

fantastic band and always very well received. Each of the districts has

its own officers leading the parade and then the procession of lodges,

15 in this case. Again, the Millar Memorial had pride

of place, as we said, but they certainly made their presence felt

with marvellous music and they dressed so immaculately. And the

amount of work that goes on, weekly rehearsals, it is phenomenal. And in

terms of the musical talent in Northern Ireland, it is very

impressive and when you look at this today. Here we are, back again, live

pictures of the parade members gathering together, ready to start

on the road again. All the way down the Dublin Road, across Shaftesbury

Square, Lisburn Road and the top of the Malone Road into the field at

Barnett's Demesne. That is another 90 minutes away. No wonder they are

taking a break. It is still a very colourful scene here. Very

colourful. And a lot of young members of the

audience along the crowded events here in Bedford Street. We can hand

over to Helen. Don't forget, you can catch up with events across the day

on BBC Newsline, Radio Ulster and online.

You can also see some of the parades that have been taking place

across Northern Ireland in our highlights programme

Until then, we leave you with just some of the images from

From myself, Walter, Ralph and the rest of