Round Up The Twelfth

You're very welcome to our look back at today's

Parades were held in towns and villages across Northern Ireland,

but it's in Belfast where we start with commentary from Walter Love

Thank you very much indeed, Helen. The parade is underway. I'm

delighted to have Doctor David Hume with me. This is not the biggest

parade but it is the longest, perhaps? Yes, it is six miles but a

lot of lodges will walk further than that. We will take a look at the

root. It begins at Belfast Orange Hall in Clifton Street. It makes its

way to City Hall, then passed us here in the centre of town, up the

loose Burn Road, left onto Balmoral Avenue and then right. And we are

looking down Bedford Street towards the City Hall. And it is a really

remarkable spectacle, David? It is fantastic. They're all the bands and

banners coming in this direction. I just wonder if you can tell me a

little bit of the origins of parading on the Twelfth? The first

recorded parade comes on the Twelfth of July 1796. A letter was sent to

Dublin Castle to inform the authorities about the parade and he

talks about Orange Lodge is from Portadown among others, that is the

first recorded incident we have. There were celebrations of the Boyne

in the years immediately after it. We have an account from 1791 of a

Twelfth of July procession that it was not by the Orange Order. It was

by an organisation which preceded the Orange Order. There are ten

districts, although in effect nine, because two were amalgamated some

time ago. This is North Belfast three district which has 15 lodges

and six bands, one of which is a Scottish band. There are quite a few

Scottish bands in the parade today? Yes, strong connections with

Scotland, especially in the east part of the province and a lot of

links with Belfast with Scottish bands. It is always a very

impressive sight and of course, the weather plays a very important part

in this. It was a bit cloudy this morning, but the sun has been coming

out. It is a perfect day perhaps? Yes, it is a nice day for marching.

Most people will be happy if they get to the field dried today. If

they get wet on the way home, that is not quite as bad. One of the

things which will become evident as we watch the parade is the

importance of the anniversary of this on, the centenary of the Somme.

There was a very large contingent of Orangemen who served with the Ulster

Division and other regiments in the Somme. That is reflected in some of

the banners. And we have been looking recently at the blue sashes

and that is different from the Orange stroke? Well, some lodges

would wear blue, some would wear Orange. It relates to different

degrees. Some of them are wearing the old-style sashes.

The principal speaker, the Order of the Grand Master of Scotland, and a

religious service will take place, and I think there are three

resolutions which are proposed at the field, the faith, loyalty and

the state. Yes, those are the traditional resolutions which would

be proposed. This year, obviously, it is a significant year in terms of

the Royal family and that is reflected in one of the resolutions,

in terms of a major anniversary for the Queen this particular year, and

also they mentioned the visit of Prince Charles as well. Now I will

hand you back again to Helen Mark. This year the largest district

with 1,000 Orangemen was from the Mournes

where they paraded in Kilkeel. Thank you, Helen. We are in a

glorious setting with the shadows of mountains over us, right on the

doorstep of the Irish Sea. Kilkeel is a town steeped in history. I am

joined by a historian. Here we are in the ancient Kingdom of Mourne. I

see King William on his horse coming down the street here. What a

fantastically ancient old,, an area in the 18th century which was known

for smuggling, we are steeped in history, what a great date is for

people to enjoy. It is a rich history and a special kind of vibe

which sets it apart? It is, because we have over 1000 men parading

today. This is the flagship parade in Mourne District number six. 15

lodges, 14 lodges are accompanied by their own bands. Here is 506

Cumberland coming down. There is a very famous melody flute band which

has won accolades in northern England, Northern Ireland and

Scotland. It is passing us at the moment. There is a nice atmosphere

in the streets and feels like a very family friendly event in Kilkeel? It

does. You feel like this is a Morne family event. It is extremely family

orientated and it is lovely to see. There is a sense that although it is

small it is perfectly formed. There is a community vibe. I am noticing

some 17th-century uniforms and I am a bit distracted little bit! We see

young people are old and that is reflected in the bands themselves as

well. And World War I will inevitably feature heavily in the

parade is today? Very much so, Ralph. It will be very poignant

because he's been decent scenery of 1916, a lot of lodges and parades

will have memorabilia and reflections on the dead of the

Somme. So a certain poignancy today. Looking forward to it? Absolutely!

Now back to Belfast and Walter. This is the view as the head

of the parades made its way from Donegall Square

into Bedford Street The parade has at the head the 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, They have been leading

the parade since 1976. 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. We are looking at 100 riflemen

from the 36th Ulster Division, a significant part of the Belfast

parade this year on the centenary A very significant anniversary,

the connections with the Ulster Division

are very, very strong. Within the Orange institution,

they are particularly strong. Many Orange Lodges, the bulk

of their members joined the Ulster Division and went to war,

many did not come back. Here we have the nurses,

the representation of the nurses Many young women went into battle

in the First World War A lot of these people came through

the old Ulster Volunteer Force, there was a Nursing Corps,

they joined up and went off It is significant that

they are portrayed. Sometimes in terms of history

we forget women and the roles they played, it is important that

that is at the front of the parade. We noticed quite a few collarettes,

rather than sashes. It was easier to produce

collarettes, that is how 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. As I mentioned earlier,

parades have been taking place across Northern Ireland today -

so let's take a look at some This parade was held on Saturday.

Renowned for its wide selection of music and its relaxed atmosphere, 50

lodges took part, so there was plenty to entertain the crowds in

this seaside location. Like many parades this year, there was a

commemoration of the First World War. One band wore uniforms

resembling those of young Orangemen in 1916.

County Antrim next. There was an historic backdrop to this parade as

it made its way under the distinctive town Bridge. 50 marching

bands and nine districts made their way around the town. And this year,

there were a number of new banners on display adding colour to the day.

To North Down and the parade on the Peninsula coastline at Donaghadee.

They had a bright start to the day. This was a parade full of character

and colour. Local Orangemen were joined by

fellow members from England and Scotland and there was plenty for

the crowds to enjoy. And of course, being so close to Scotland, this

parade would not be complete without a pipe band or two.

Portadown in County Armagh was one of this year's flagship parades,

hosting the largest demonstration, with 11 district lodges, 154 private

lodges and almost 5000 brethren. All that along with 80 bands, so there

was plenty to entertain the estimated 15,000 spectators. Music

is always a strong point in Portadown, with many fine silver,

pipe and flute bands taking part. This County Tyrone demonstration had

25 lodges. The crowds would have loved seeing

this young drum Major. A champion in the making I think!

And on top of all of that, there was no early silver band who recently

attained fourth place in the championships in France, so plenty

to entertain the crowds. Next to Fermanagh and Maguiresbridge

where the parade always has plenty of local support and offers a

colourful event for tourists to the Lakeland area. The parade is

traditionally led by Lodges from the south of Ireland followed by

districts from the home county. Like most parades across the country

there was vivid acknowledgement of the sacrifices of the Great War.

One of the day was a bit damp it did not spoil the spirits of the split

taters. The demonstration in Limavady sold 3000 Orangemen

representing 60 Lodges stepping out in this market town. In the ranks

also brethren from the city of Londonderry, Coleraine, Donegal and

across the water in Scotland. The 50 bands gave the parade a carnival

atmosphere and there was much to entertain the 10,000 or so

spectators. I wonder did you spot our next guest

at the Donaghadee parade? Local football legend David Jeffrey

invited Claire McCollum to join him in Holywood

in County Down a few days ago. You have brought me somewhere very

close to your heart. Extremely close, I have

been coming here since Ballymena United manager

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

but football is not You are now very welcome

to the band hall of Ballykeel a band in which I play the flute,

right from when I was very young. You will see the history

all around the walls, My father, Kenneth, chairman

and treasurer to this day. Myself, my brother Billy

in the front row, My brother Kenneth, my uncle Ronnie,

who has passed. This is a particular

favourite of mine. It is because our band

in July 1948 That passion for music has been

passed down through five generations of the family,

and these days his father Ken still likes to keep a watchful

eye over band practice. Daddy was always very keen

to get me into the band. I remember very much wanting

to play the drums. Dad says, no, David,

we need flute players, The first march we learned

was Christian Soldiers. I went to high school,

played in the orchestra 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, I still have the flute

which Manchester United bought me. I absolutely love playing,

fantastic instrument. The wonderful thing about coming

here is Billy conducts the band,

leads the band, I sit back 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 Holywood, we play in the local churches,

local fairs, we go around the nursing homes at Christmas and,

yes, we also march 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 Earlier this year, David

was presented with the Grand Master's Award for his

contribution to local football and in recognition of his managerial

achievement. I am incredibly proud to be a member

of a rich institution. 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 Father was 80 last December,

and because he has got to that grand old age he has been awarded

an honorary life membership. We as a family are

tremendously proud. To be recognised by your own

private Orange Lodge What do you think my

grandad would say? Do you see yourself going

on to the age your father is now? But I will be part and parcel

of Ballykeel Conservative Flute Band until my Father in

heaven calls me home. I'm sure like many families,

the Jeffrey family had We're off to Kilkeel again

to have a look back to what must have been one of the most

picturesque settings this year. The Kingdom of Mourne has

long been celebrated in music and song, but there

are still some hidden gems. This clachan was built

by the Scottish settlers The Kingdom of Mourne

is an Ulster Scots heartland. The traditions are strong,

rich and vibrant. We would have lots of visitors,

we would send them up here to Hannah's Close to

experience what life was like during 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 bought Presbyterianism, and this is one

of the largest Presbyterian congregations

here in Kilkeel. 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. Lots of thought and planning,

about three years of planning Absolutely magnificent,

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

another 100 years. Our Orange Lodge in Mourne

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 in 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. Bands of all ages today. We have had

to Lodges who have just paraded and they had once signed in 1853.

Brunswick still carries mayors, signed by the Duke of Cumberland,

the fifth son of King George III. He lost one of his life fighting with

the Hanoverian 's in 1794. So they have that bit of history. We can see

the parade coming through and it is unlikely event. All the different

instruments and we are hearing a whole range of musical sounds

include keel. Accordion Band, pipe bands and of course the silver band

for Tuculet self. They have the honour of putting up the arch every

year. A lot of busy people here today and a lot of great stories

throughout the parade. Very much so. Cranfield going past with a nod to

the Second World War and in these mountains the Americans trained for

D-Day. A huge amount of history just seeping through the streets. Of

course Cranfield just one of the many stories. We can see them all

passing by and a great turnout today. Very much so. Nice to see

everyone out enjoying themselves. Not quite in the sunshine but a good

day for the walking. And for you as a historian, this place must be

nirvana. To be quite honest I have seen a banner from 1875, and a flag

that has not been on parade since 1901. A of little bits of the past

going on. And a tradition of being friendly and welcoming as well. And

you come from not too far away. From Banbridge. Kilkeel is behind the

mountains and they joked that we are behind the mountains. For now we

hand you back to Belfast. Again this view down Bedford Street.

Wonderful Order to some of the bands. A lot of formal wear in the

parade today. There appears to be and a lot of optimistic people as

well, not too many suits being worn in this particular large. For people

it is an opportunity to be a bit more relaxed when you get a good day

with the weather. There are the armbands being born again as part of

the Somme commemoration. They represent different areas of the

city and their emblems. Bringing back the memory again of the events

of 100 years ago, very major events for the city of Belfast. And the

Battle of the Somme itself was of major consequence in this city. Is

it a big effort to carry a bass drum six miles from Clifton Street to the

Field estimate they do relieve each other as they are doing at the

minute. So no one is carrying the drum too far. It is a very energetic

job as we can see. Not only can we here at the sound of the band but we

actually feel them as they go past. Definitely. No sore feet moment. --

at the moment. And again we are still within district six. A very

large district. They have come across to the city centre to join

the parade. And a few Scottish bands with the district as well. One of

those is the Pride of Govan. It must be a great day out for many Scottish

Orange personnel. Well they will already have had their parades and

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

come across too. Many of them would have family connections, some of the

Lodges would be connected and some of the bands will go over here to

the Scottish parades. And the bearskin hat, part of the

traditional military uniform. Some of these bands extremely well turned

out. A very smart drum Major. Certainly is. As we have been

seeing, many districts have been commemorating the centenary of the

Somme with music from the era, and banners and even costume. For one

Pipe Band in County Donegal it is all in the name.

Donegal has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country

and also along and Royal Association with The Twelfth of July

celebrations especially in the east of the county.

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

Why Thiepval - a name synonymous with the Battle of the Somme?

The band would have originally been known

as Convoy Ulster Unionist Pipe Band when it first formed in 1905

and then a lot of men from the area were 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 a 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

Particularly for maybe some of the newer members who have come in.

They are asking, what is this name all about?

I just played as a piper until I was 20.

And I was put in as the Pipe Major in 2003.

Until recently we would have self-taught most members,

But in the last four or five years, we found 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, Newbuildings, Londonderry.

We're very proud to have the name Thiepval Memorial, people will ask

We will have no hesitation in explaining that we were named

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

Let's drawn Walter again. We are looking at district number five.

This is one of the largest districts in the Belfast parade. Yes, some

very strong lodges here and some impressive bands taking part. Omagh

Protestant boys have travelled further than most probably. They are

very proud of their history in Sandy Row. They had the first

purpose-built Lodge. I know many places claimed King William parked

himself in many locations. King William's horse was very busy on the

way to the Boyne. There is a strong tradition in Sandy Row that King

William came through on his route. While we watched district five,

maybe we could consider the origins of the Order and its development.

Who were the founders of the Orange Order? There were a number of men

who were traditionally seen as the founders in 1795. James Wilson is

traditionally seen as the main vicar involved in this. He had an

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

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

first warrants for the Order were issued at James Sloan's end. So they

were among the founders. We have to leave Belfast for a moment and join

Ralph McClane in Kilkeel. It has fallen quiet here, it has

been a very busy day? It has been a very busy day. The town was filled

to capacity. The Manse Road was full of people. It was a tremendous

occasion. We have cleared the field up this morning and now we are ready

to go down. Every Lodge has its own picnic in the field now and 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. Mourne has

a big Orange fraternity. We are very well supported by our churches here

in Mourne and the Orangemen support their churches as well. We can see

the band from earlier on screen now. The difference between the Irish

pipe and the Scottish pipe is a key element? That is a key element. The

bands would have been using Irish pipes up until 1968. My band was

formed in 1968. I have been playing the Irish pipes since 1968. The

Chancellor has keys on it and more notes.

There are a couple out in County Tyrone as well. We are keeping me

back from the field. Thank you very much indeed and enjoy the rest of

your day. Many people come to parade for many reasons. It could be to

meet friends or make new friends or perhaps just enjoy the music.

Always the pride of Kilkeel is the flute bands. They produce a clear

quality sound. Always a favourite in

Kilkeel's Twelfth parade is the Pride of

Ballinran Flute Band. The flutes are a piece of precision

craftsmanship that produce They are Miller Wicks flutes

and they are made locally. Miller Wicks was a London-based

company originally and they started A number of bands bought these

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

and we saw how they do the work, how to make the flutes,

and we decided we would We were not going to change that

because it is a brand name We brought the company

across and set up here 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 does the key work. I do all of the wood turning

and Kenny puts all of the keys The wood comes from Africa

and it is seasoned in excess of five A learner picking up the flute

from the word go can easily get Not only do we have the pleasure

of making the B-flat flutes, we have the joy of playing them

because we're both members of the Pride of Ballinran flute band

and we play these every week You can keep up-to-date on our

services, on BBC Newsline, on radio and online.

But before we go, we leave you with some of the images

You're in cold water, you're not going to last long.