The Twelfth Special 2012 BBC Newsline

especially towards lunchtime. It is not quite so bright everywhere

first thing tomorrow. There will be more cloud in central and southern

counties. The main area of rain will move loop through North Wales,

the Midlands and East Anglia and perhaps into northern England.

There is a risk of flooding with rain falling on saturated ground.

To the south, heavy showers and possible thunderstorms. Northern

England seeing light showers. More cloud across Scotland, with light

showers. In Northern Ireland, a scattering of showers in the

afternoon. Similar temperatures to today. On Saturday, just the odd

today. On Saturday, just the odd shower and a lot of dry weather.

shower and a lot of dry weather. Similarly on Sunday.

Stay with us for the special programme. You can keep up-to-date

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 76 seconds

Hello, and welcome to the programme. Over the next 30 minutes we will

have a roundup of the Twelfth parades across Northern Ireland

from Carrickfergus from Coleraine. We will start off as usual with the

biggest demonstration in Belfast. A traditional starting point at the

junction of the Antrim and Crumlin Roads. And close to the the Shankil.

Another tradition, the leading band. And then band after band. On a six-

mile journey. Along the way, supporters and

The field is still an hour and a half away, on foot. On the way,

cultures mixing. And entertainment. Some rehearsed. Occasionally,

spontaneous. And one tune that seems to cross our different

cultures. And some people even came here,

wait for it, for the Belfast sun. The parade in Glasgow last Saturday

was a total washout. It's so nice to come and it's not raining here

today. Much, much nicer. Hours later, and they're finally at the

To get here one veteran of these parades had a slight domestic

problem to overcome. My wife was at me this morning, don't you be going,

don't you be walking. But you like to be out and see and take part in

something, there's something about taking part. To me it is.

leadup to this year's Belfast parade has been overshadowed bay

Parades Commission ruling, affecting a return route in North

Belfast. Despite this, community relations have been tested, but not

broken. Sadly, we have to bring in the determination by the parades

doesn't help that, it creates tension and friction between

communities. But the last couple of years the Twelfth has been a great

occasion. We are getting back to virtually normal kwreut in Northern

Ireland and relationships are growing. Again it's been knocked

back this year by this stupid decision. Hopefully we will move on,

get rid of the Parades Commission and get back to having a good

Twelfth. Also at this year's event, new faces. American students.

Mindful of their own culture, checking out ours. We have been

studying a lot of the Troubles and contemporary issues surrounding the

Northern Ireland conflict. So, it was very relevant to come to the

Twelfth. All of us have really enjoyed it, understanding cultural

differences and what it means to different groups of people and

talking to people who are here and seeing families and friends and

just everyone being together. Definitely interested in coming

back, getting to talk to different people and different perspectives

and seeing it next year and the future. And even if the sky looked

menacing at one point, families continued to enjoy the event in the

shadow of the sun. An agreement between The Orange

Order and the village of Crumlin saw a parade there pass off without

incident. The deal brokered last night saw tricolours removed along

the route and replaced with protest banners. Bunting was erected for

the day in the mainly nationalist village and the marchers complied

with the Parades Commission ruling that only local lodges make the

return journey from the field. It's one of the biggest problems

today was car parking, trying to get everybody in. With the negative

publicity people were put off turning, but the agreement last

night it made people change their mind and they've came in thousands

today and that was our biggest problem, getting everybody in. But

thankfully all in now and hopefully they're getting fed and enjoining

the afternoon. The demonstration in Fermanagh took place in Enniskillen.

We will hear more later in the programme about the parade at the

Two weeks after the Queen's visit to Enniskillen, it was a King

heading the parade through the town. This was one of the Orange Order's

flagship events. Organisers anticipated a crowd of more than

20,000 people. Amongst the visitors, the First Minister, Peter Robinson

and his wife, Iris. It's good to see to many lodges from the

Republic here as well and we are delighted from the point of view of

tourism to see so many people coming in for the parade. And with

that theme in mind, the tourism Minister, Arlene Foster, invited

her Irish counterpart to her home town. This was the first visit by

an an Irish Minister to Northern Ireland on the Twelfth. It's been

interesting, something that I only ever seen on TV before. You know,

certainly if things go well in the next few years and the parades

continue to pass off without any trouble, I could see a lot of

people from the Republic visiting parades, particularly if they can

be around family days and so on. The culture is part of the tourism

offering here in Northern Ireland regardless of what that culture may

be and this is a very strong offering we have here today.

Enniskillen hosted the Twelfth five years ago, but this was a new route

through the town with the parade taking place almost entirely on the

island itself. Some wore period costume to mark an

important anniversary for unionists. We are commemorating the 100th

anniversary of the signing of the covenant. We are wearing some

costumes from that time. Before the main event a presentation by a

London Or scanning -- Orange Lodge, which was destroyed in an arson

attack last year. We will start to rebuild the hall. Thank you very

much. Some 3,000 Orangemen and women from

90 Lodges were on parade. The Lambeg drummers were last

through the town. With the sun beating down, some

sought respite from the rays in various ways. You have the umbrella

out. To keep the sun off! turnout is indicative of the mood.

Generally, people are relaxed and enjoying the weather. It's really

hot. Good day. Powerful day, big crowd. Everybody seems to be

enjoying themselves. Lovely sunshine, lovely bands. Definitely

good. It's very good, isn't it, Matthew? Yes. Enjoying it. In this

Jubilee year Orangemen and women have had plenty to celebrate. In

Carrickfergus King William returned to the town for proceedings. It's

been ten years since the town last hosted celebrations and this was a

Colour and pageantry was the order of the day in the historic town of

Carrickfergus. One of the three demonstrations to be awarded

flagship status this year. He handed here in 1690 on his way to

the Battle of the Boyne and today King William returned to lead more

than 60 Lodges and bands from the east Antrim combine. Carrickfergus

district lodge played host this year. This is the first time in ten

years we have hosted the east Antrim combine Twelfth

demonstration and we have really done it proud in what we have

achieved here today. There's around 8,000 members in the east Antrim

combine, among them lodges from Scotland. It's too big for me the

Belfast walk, I don't think I could cope with that. I like the

individual marches and it's more personal. You meet more people that

way. Thousands watched today's

demonstration and while some joined in, for others it was a little too

much. The weather and location gave

friends and family the perfect opportunity for a day out. We have

come from Ballyclare and nice atmosphere, good weather. Hopefully

it stays dry and this one's second 12th July. We are up from Larne and

it's a good day and thought we would see the bands. It's not every

year we get, so we took the family up and we have a good spot here.

It's been a great day. The weather is fantastic. Loads of people out.

A big crowd in the town and everybody's seems to be enjoying

themselves. Entertainment for the kids.

Today wasn't just about the celebrations, it was also about

reflection. And when the resolutions and

prayers were finished, it was time to kick back and enjoy the rest of

the day. And the festivities aren't over yet.

Carrickfergus is hosting many events over the next days, but for

this garrison town there won't be a right Royal visit on this scale

until it next hosts the Twelfth in ten years' time.

The grand master of the Orange Order was on parade in Castlederg.

It was practically a local parade for him as he lives just a few

Up to 12,000 people took part in this parade in Castlederg. 55

lodges and 50 bands were on parade. Six districts in all were on the

the march, stretching from Sixmilecross, to Strabane and the

hosts, Castlederg. The Grand Master said he was delighted with the

turnout. It's a very important day, it's the first time I will lead the

County through my own home town. This is a model of our original

Orange Hall and it's very important. We think that we had this scale

down model and bring it with us here. We have provisions and all

with us here and we have a small band of children and if the weather

is inClement it's very good for Also on parade was the Grand Master

of the Orange Order, Edward Stephenson. He made special mention

of the 336 members who were killed during the Troubles. At the moment

Republicans are trying their best to rewrite history. They're using

all their powers to make it look as if their campaign of murder was

somewhat justified. I have a simple message for them today, they will

not succeed. The Orange institution will not allow perpetrators of

violence to become the victims. was a special year for the band

from Killen near Castlederg, they're celebrating a special

anniversary. We are celebrating 75 years with the pipe band and it's

just a family affair where there's maybe half a dozen families,

sisters and cousins. They had reasons to celebrate. A special day

for us, we have just unfurled a new banner a few weeks ago. We are up

on the border. We are one of the hropbls that have suffered

drastically during the Troubles, we lost six members of the Lodge.

The parade made its way from Mitchellpark in and around Main

Street before heading to a religious service.

Around 100 lodges in some 80 bands took part in the demonstration in

Newry. Eight districts were on parade, among them Banbridge and

Rathfriland. Almost 70 lodges and 40 bands took

part in the parade through Bally It started with horsepower, closely

followed by a real horse carrying King William. Five districts took

part - Cumber, Saintfield, Castlewellan and Ballynahinch. The

demonstrations held here every five years. It took over an hour to

complete the two-mile journey, but the parade couldn't take its

traditional route. The field was water logged, so everyone went

instead to the grounds of the Millbrook Lodge Hotel. While the

adults caught up with each other, there was plenty to entertain the

children. For five-and-a-half- month-old Maya it was her first

Twelfth. Three--and-a-half-month- old Lexi may not remember much of

hers. The crowds are massive in the town, and everything so far has

been great. We're glad to be here on this auspicious occasion,

especially on this Diamond Jubilee year for Her Majesty the Queen.

Many travelled from overseas to be here today. Never miss it. As I say,

I hope the - until my dying breath, will always come here. It's very

special, a very special spectacle, not just for my own brethren, but

the public at large, a colourful procession, great music, and it's

all for free. You have come here a long way to be here today. Yes, I

came here from Sydney, Australia, and I am delighted to be here in

Ballynahinch, which is my hometown and where I grew up and went to

school. Once upon a time the brethren had to make do with a

burger van, but today there was Italian cafe culture, next door, a

touch of French cuisine with some crepes, but no-one could top these

- red, white and blue - and orange ferry cakes. It was my

grandmother's recipe. I decided to make them yesterday, and I had a

bit of fun with some coloured icing. I thought I would do some orange

with purple glitter and others red, white and blue to make it festive.

Have they gone down well here? they have gone down very well with

the lodge. The boys were well filled up on them. As a young girl,

I was brought up as a family outing, and we have continued this

ourselves, and we'd like our children to do the same thing as

well. It's just a good thing to do for our family. We're all off work

and school and things. We're all going to have a good day and

sunshine, God willing, to have a day like this.

We thank that the good Lord above has given us a wonderful day.

prayers and resolutions, everyone would start the journey home, happy

After seven years eight of the South London Derry districts made a

welcome return to the village of Tobermore. 60 districts walked the

nine-mile route. Keen fans came early. We got parked at 5.00am,

just. We're hoping for a dry day, a bit of sunshine and plenty of

people. We have always been a regular to the Twelfth Parades

ourselves here. Probably from a very early age we were always

brought down here. While some played it safe, one youngster rose

to the challenge of the Lambeg with a helping hand. The guest's speaker

used his speech to call for equality for Protestants in the

Republic. Nationalists in Northern Ireland have to have an Irish

passport and can go into any Post Office and get an application form.

They're automatically entitled to an Irish passport. Unfortunately,

our members who feel British, they live on the border county, don't

have that reciprocal right. largest demonstration outside of

Belfast, indeed, many claim the largest of all, was in Kaidee,

County Omagh. Gordon sent this report.

Colourful wellie, patterned wellies, floral wellies and of course Union

Jack wellies - that was pretty much the dress code at a rather soggy

field in Keady. Damp under foot it may have been, but that didn't stop

thousands of spectators making this arguably the biggest parade of the

day - 80 bands and some 5,000 Orangemen and women were on the

march - well, at least most were on the march.

Among them was Roads Minister Danny Kennedy. Today I can more closely

inspect the roads as Roads Minister, so no, it's a very enjoyable day.

It's a family day out, to give an expression of community and of

culture. There were pipe bands. Silver bands - the iconic Lambeg

drummers and flute bands, some of whom had too much of the

traditional thunder. But it was an accordian band who provided one of

the best stories. Two years ago the Pride of the Bergess Band came in

from Norway. This man worked on the ship. Had a uniform sent over and

played with the band this year in Bergen. Today she joined the band

here for the first time. I have been playing with the band since

August. I like it a lot. We're not used to being a marching accordian

band. It's the first time I have seen that one. Is it your first

time coming over here for the Twelfth Parade? Yes. It has been

lovely. The people have been marvellous, and we were also

Saturday in Ross Malaugh - and parading and people are just

fantastic. The spirit of the Olympics also reached this South

Armagh field with the first torch to have been carried in Northern

Ireland put on display by the girl who ran with it? It was one of my

chosen charities, and if they want to come along and get a photograph

taken, it would be a good opportunity for people. I must say

this is impressive. No chance on this one ending up on eBay? Not a

chance. It will now be 11 years before the County Armagh

demonstration returns to Keady in 2023. There will be more of that

Norwegian girl in a moment. In Coleraine it was a relatively low-

key Twelfth because so many events have already taken place for the

Queen's Diamond Jubilee, but today's sunshine brought out the

Hundreds of holiday-makers on the north coast made their way to

Coleraine for the parade - 60 lodges sent off from Union Street

at noon, this year's host district Colwyn. It's a day we can all get

together as a family and, again, the weather makes the day for us.

And there was plenty of sunshine, so a chance to wear some hardly

used summer clothes and to dine al fresco. Refreshments and food.

about sun cream? Factor 30 on. think it's great to see so many

people out enjoying the sun and enjoying the parade, you know?

Having a fantastic time. The weather is beautiful. The parade

has all come out - to look at it. A brilliant day.

MUSIC Well, there is a tradition that

when the Twelfth is celebrated here, it never rains, so I don't know if

that is written in the Divine Decree or not.

Coleraine and Donny gall took part. For some, it was a familiar scene.

For others, a new experience. has been a few years since we have

seen parades in Glasgow. Here seems more family focused - lots of

people with children, families all out together, all looking to have a

good time and to have an enjoyable, relaxing holiday. We come from

Chester in England, and we have come to see the Twelfth, and it's

just absolutely fabulous. A single drum beat was the only

accompaniment as the bands and lodges passed Coleraine's war

memorial. The bridge with bands was lined with onlookers as they made

their way to the demonstration field. When they celebrated the

Diamond Jubilee - Her Majesty is still the Queen - we're delighted

with that. She's still reigning, and we're delighted. We make many

new friends on a day like this and we look back and give thanks for

the years that we have had, and we also look forward to the years we

hope the Lord will spare us as an institution to go forward together.

Can you tell me where you got that top from? EBay!

LAUGHTER Coleraine even saw the beginnings

of a canine lodge, one of many The County Antrim village of

Rasharkin held an Institution Family Day Out. People relaxed on

the Church Road as the proceedings got under way.

All the lodges and bands and various members of individual

families - there is a good crowd on the field here today. And all the

fun wasn't just reserved for this side of the border. Orangemen from

Northern Ireland have been at the Donnygaul for their parade. Around

50 lodges as well as the host county were on parade. They were

joined by brethren from Northern Ireland as well as visitors from

throughout the UK and Canada, and one mother and daughter travelled

all the way from Norway to join in the celebrations. I think it's just

wonderful. It reminds me a little bit about Constitution Day in

Norway where we have parades like this. Only time we have parades in

Norway is on Constitution Day, and this is kind of similar and I love

the landscape. I love the people. I love the food - I really love

everything, the music, everythinging. It's wonderful. I

have never been here before. It's nice, nice people, and we have a

busy time where we have much to look at.

As is traditional, the demonstration made its way along

did one-mile route from just outside the village before a

religious service at the field. The Order says it shows it remains as

strong as ever here. This is the only parade in the Republic of

Ireland, and it's very important for our brethren and the Republic

to be able to demonstrate in their own country. It was clear the

parade meant a lot to those who made the journey. It means a good

day out and it's lovely to come here. You can express your faith

and have a good day. It's good to come down and support these men.