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A District of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

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THE TWELFTH 2010 - NEWTOWNARDS

the colours of Newtownards Volunteer Flute	LOL 128 on the march home
Sandy Road Flue Band	members of the Protestant Boys

one member wearing a traditional sash	the banner of lead lodge LOL 1973
LOL 111 show their support for the Help for Heroes charity	the banner of LOL 240
English visitors Medway Martyrs The Newtownards Ex-Servicemen's lodge a piper from Dr Wright's Memorial band
Simon Bryan carries the County Standard	The colour party of LOL 481

a well-turned out drum major	the Prince of Wales Accordion Band
drummers from the Newtownards Melody Flute Band

the traditional drums were there	a flautist from the CLB

Newtownards basked in sunshine as thousands of participants and spectators brought the colour of The Twelfth back to the town on Monday past.

The local District lodge welcomed the traditional visitors from Bangor, Holywood and the Ards peninsula as well as those from mainland Britain to celebrate the 320th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. The town was hosting its first 12th demonstration in five years and a better day could not have been provided.

The streets were packed with expectant crowds from early morning, waiting for the main demonstration to begin at noon. The parade was headed by four horses, symbolising the white horse of King William III and behind them followed several dozen lodges and bands.

The march to the field at Londonderry Park was just over an hour, and once there, the marchers were free to take the time to rest or browse the collection of stalls. The religious basis of the parade was in evidence too as officers from the four Districts in attendance took part in the usual platform proceedings. Guest speaker there was Bro Nelson McCausland, MLA, while the newly-elected MP for Strangford, Jim Shannon was also part of the parade.

The day had begun early for many, with the traditional breakfast at the home of each Worshipful Master. Gradually the lodges converged on Mary Street, the hub of the parade, and fell in behind lead lodge King George VI Memorial LOL 1973.

As the afternoon drew on and the visiting Districts broke off to begin the journey back to their towns and villages, the Newtownards lodges finished their day in Conway Square, satisfied that it had been yet another Glorious Twelfth.