Boyne Celebrations July 2011
The Route the County Grand Lodge Colour Party will leave from Cathedral Square at 9:45 am via John Knox St, High St, George St, into George Square. A Service of Remembrance will commence at 10:10am. At 10:30am the Colour Party will exit the Square by way of the centre opening opposite North Hanover St. and proceed George Square North followed by the entire parade entering George Square from North Hanover St. The entire parade will traverse the route to the Green via George St, High St, Saltmarket and into Glasgow Green by way of McLennan Arch. A public meeting will commence at 12:45pm.
The organised dispersal will commence at 1:30 pm with the Colour Party leading the North Group followed by the East Group up through Saltmarket and High St into Cathedral Square and Wishart St. The East Group will break off at their traditional points. The South and West areas will turn left on exiting the park.West Group will proceed via Clyde St. and South Group via Albert Bridge. All Districts will have local parades to their Orange Halls and disperse.
Edward Hyde, the leader of the Order in the city along with his Executive, cordially invites all citizens to enjoy the music and colourful pageantry of our cultural event responsibly and with due regard to the principles of the Lodge. We do not wish to have the celebrations spoiled by unacceptable behaviour through public drinking, the shouting of abuse, or the singing of songs that may be offensive to other members of the community.
“One Nation Many Cultures”
Our heritage, culture and religion are the defining aspects of our Institution. As we respect others traditions - please respect ours.
The Executive of County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow are happy to announce we continue to put on the biggest, noisiest and most colourful procession on to the streets of our city.
After Numerous meetings with Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police, the County Grand Lodge Trustees ensured every district lodge had the opportunity to have a return parade. Albeit in a slightly different format.
On 2nd July the County Grand Lodge assembled at Glasgow Evangelical Church and paraded to George Square. What followed was the beginning of a day to remember. Brother Tom Greig, Grand Chaplain delivered a memorable service to commemorate those brave heroes who fought and died for our freedom. Freedom to exercise our civil and religious liberties that was gained through the Glorious Revolution so dearly defended by our great reformers and martyrs. The wreath laying ceremony was carried out with all the dignity and decorum befitting the occasion. The massive public presence and participation was a sight to behold and sent a message to Glasgow City Council:WE ARE HERE TO STAY
Once again the massive crowd was treated to an impromptu concert by the Black Skull Corps of Fife and Drums before the procession in its entirety proceeded to Glasgow Green via our traditional route. The parade to the Green was exceptional with a massive public gallery lining the route. The police presence was reduced and it was plain to see that the aura had lightened up with a more family orientated atmosphere.
As usual the public address went very well with our own Grand Master, Brother Henry Dunbar being the keynote speaker. Befitting the occasion Brother Dunbars theme was centred around our Culture and Heritage, the 400th Anniversary of the Publication of the Authorised Version King James Biblem with a reference to current affairs.
The bands awards ceremony highlighted the difficulty in selecting winners; such was the standard. However the judges from CGL AR&A and CGL Central Scotland chose the following:
Best Band: Govan Protestant Boys Flute Band
Best Visiting Band: Millar Memorial Flute Band
Best Lodge Colour Party: LLOL 89 Springburn District 10
Best Accordion Band: Queen Elizabeth
The organised dispersal, albeit different from the norm went well with all districts being accommodated with a parade in their” home territory”.
Over the last few years the cost of our Annual Boyne Celebrations has risen dramatically. Last year has saw unprecedented costs. Around 25k was handed over to Glasgow City Council. Such is the plight of Glasgow City Council every penny is a prisoner and this year we expect them to try and get even more money out of us. They can but try.
As one of the oldest organisations we get absolutely no consideration for monetary relief. Quite the contrary. They even tried again to charge us for loss of parking DUH!!! However it is a major concern for County Grand Lodge as a whole, as the present costs are unsustainable.
However, all is not doom and gloom we now look forward to 2012 and await City Council’s invitation to a debrief and participation, as promised, in a working party to resolve some of the issues that crop up year in year out. The incumbent officers, over the years have worked hard at maintaining our parading culture and traditions in this city. There is no doubt that discussions for next year's Celebrations will prove to be equally, if not more difficult than this year. As we have already seen Glasgow City Council has introduced and implemented their new parades policy document with the intentions of eroding our traditions ,culture and heritage. With the support of the members and their families and friend you can rest assured that County Grand Lodge Executive will continue to resist Glasgow City Council’s sustained assault on our parades.
The Executive of County Grand Lodge call upon all its members to write or E-Mail your councillor, attend their surgeries and put to them the questions our Public Awareness Committee has prepared. Put them under pressure. It is imperative that we mount a sustained campaign against those councillors who are hell bent in erosding our Parading Culture. We must bring it to their attention that we, the Orange Institution in Glasgow are ever mindful of the local elections next May and that we are not going to sit back and give them a shooy in.
Get involved in your community council; that is where the decisions will ultimately affect our parades.
As Sir Edward Carson put it on July 1911, do not leave it to others, support your leaders.
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