Queen Victoria / King William III
To all District and Private Lodges, members ,families and friends
May I as your County Grand Master extend my personal thanks and appreciation for the magnificent support shown 22nd January. It was without doubt a show of support and strength for the trustees of County Grand Lodge in their quest to defend our parading culture here in Glasgow.
Having given notice for the parade and the subsequent protests outside City Chambers, Glasgow City Council (GCC) finally met with us on 10th January.They did try to prevent us having a parade and wreath laying ceremony. They offered us an alternate parade from the Broomielaw up to Wishart Street, without laying a wreath. Not on they were told . We stuck to our guns and pursued our aims and objectives i.e traditional routes and cultural stability.
Our aims and objectives were on the whole achieved and also showed that the membership are up for the tough times ahead. There is no doubt that we will have to contest some issues with GCC policy as it will invariably filter down through the other County Grand Lodges. We complied yesterday with police instructions. However we await QC opinion on several matters.
Albeit from Wishart Street.
From not getting a parade at all to achieving 90% of the objective I see it as a massive victory. We had around 700 parading with one band. We were instructed to assemble four abreast and as we are required to obey police instruction ,this we did. However, walking down the route, it looked like a small army ;it was brilliant. We marched to George Square and disbanded with the playing and singing of the Queen right outside City Chambers. The colour party then paraded across the square and to Queen Victoria statue with 700 or so at the back to meet with many who had already assembled. During my speech based on the religious and moral principles of Queen Victoria and short service and wreath laying ceremony there was not the slightest hint of disrespect or loutish behaviour.
However as a bonus the trustees of County Grand Lodge and The Grand Master Brother Henry Dunbar gained access to King Williams Statue and laid a wreath in his memory and commemorating 22nd January 1689 when William called an assembly in England and was presented with a"Declaration of Rights" prior to being offered the crown.
It was all so a memorable occassion as the New County Grand Master Brother Edward Hyde presented and clothed the immediate Past County Grand Master Brother George McNee with a past Master Collarette, having first being dedicated by County Grand Chaplain Brother R G C Sawers.
From not getting a parade at all to achieving 90% of the objective I see it as a massive victory. We had around 700 parading with one band, the smart as a whip ,Pride of the North Flute Band. However the police implemented council policy and we were instructed to assemble four abreast and as we are required to obey police instruction ,this we did. However, walking down the route, it looked like a small army ;it was brilliant. We marched to George Square and disbanded with the playing and singing of the Queen right outside City Chambers. The chorus was immense. The colour party then paraded across the square and to Queen Victoria statue with 700 or so at the back to meet with many who had already assembled. During my speech based on the religious and moral principles of Queen Victoria and short service and wreath laying ceremony there was not the slightest hint of disrespect or loutish behaviour.
Our aims and objectives were on the whole achieved and also showed that the membership are up for the tough times ahead. There is no doubt that we will have to contest some issues with GCC policy as it will invariably filter down through the other County Grand Lodges. We complied yesterday with police instructions. However we await QC opinion on several matters.
Thank you all who made this a memorable day In more ways than one
Edward Hyde
County Grand Master
County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow