Orange Lodge Nigeria Africa

A very interesting and turbulent year in Ireland and Europe when this photo was taken in 1916. The Easter rising and the slaughter at the Somme in France of many men in the Orange Institution. Nigeria no longer has a lodge but lodges still exist in Ghana and Togo in West Africa. I think the lodge is called Lagos Fine True Blues by the banner. How the Orange Order got from a small thatched cottage in Loughall to Lagos and is intrigueing. One thing for sure King Billy on the banner was better travelled after he fell of his horse than before it.

Royal Navy Orange lodge. HMS Benbow circa 1st World War

Ballymacarrett FLute Band. Parading, a way of life.

A splendid display of Musical ability,decorum and marching by one of the finest Orange cultural bands in Belfast. Many bands parade throughout the year from March to September either with the loyal orders or competing in street competitions organised by individual bands. These competitions are taken very seriously with band members walking maybe 3 different parades in various towns and villages throughout the country at weekends, this combined with practice once or twice a week takes a lot of dedication by the 30,000 members of the 650 marching bands in the province. The band becomes away of life for many men,ladies and children of ever age and ability with blind,disabled and special needs people known to be part of the band movement.With an estimated 150,000 people in Northern Ireland(10per cent of the population) having been part of the band scene at some stage in their lives, the band scene has become a culture on it's own. Northern Ireland must have the most musicians per capital in the world. During the winter months bands take part in indoor competitions and many charity events to improve their playing ability before the marching season starts again. The band scene in Northern Ireland is currently undergoing a renaissance with up to 15 new bands starting per year with it being the fastest growing youth movement in Europe. Kids as young as five are learning new instruments just as 70 year olds retire from the scene. As strange as it seems to people outside of Orange culture parading is a massive and sacred part of many peoples lives having been handed down from generation to generation for the last 250 years and is a precious part of who of who they are and where they have came from. Band culture is not without it's difficulties our problems,some self induced some inflicted upon upon it out of ignorance or political and religious intolerance,but at it's best the culture is up there with some of the most beautiful cultures in the world and should be seen and heard to be believed.

George Best legendary footballer and Orangeman.

This photo is of the late Dicke Best in front of a mural of his superstar son George Best in East Belfast. Dickie was a founder member of the Ballymacarrett Defenders Flute Band,Belfast. The Band was founded in 1934 and became world champions in 1995. In the previous post there is a clip of the band on the Kelly show shortly after becoming world champs. Georgie is the most gifted footballer to ever come out of the British Isles and in Peles view the best footballers ever, he was a member of the Junior Orange Order as a young boy in East Belfast.

Ballymacarrett Defenders Flute band Belfast on TV

Italian Orange Lodge Ontario Canada

Massed Flute Band.

Map of Bands from Northern Ireland.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116734447587247141890.0004865965a71cd3f1a06&z=8

An Orangemans best friend. "Billy"

Staffordstown Lodge and Drums

I love this great old photo,so much atmosphere in It the bowler hats flats caps, lambegs, the big flag and the man in the front playing his fife. Wonder what tune he was playing! Don't have a year,late 1800s to early 1900s I'm guessing. Lol 704 is the lodge. Staffordstown is a small rural area between Randalstown and Lough Neagh.

Ballynenagh Flute band

Ballynenagh Orange Lodge