Twelfth lottery funding dispute
HARDLINE Orangemen have criticised organisers of a Twelfth festival for accepting lottery funding.
The Orange Reformation group singled out their brethren in Coleraine district for taking the cash – and said if the Order was going to accept money generated by people playing the National Lottery then, it "should just close it all down".
A spokesman told the News Letter he "abhorred" the fact lottery funding had been applied for and accepted.
"We see this as another example of the slippage of standards, we are calling on chaplains to take action to maintain standards," he said.
"We have questions over all of the funding issues within the Orange Order and the lottery funding is just one part of this.
"We feel that the Orange Order should have nothing to do with lottery funding and we call on the Grand Master to take a stand on this."
The Orange Order declined to comment on the statement, but Coleraine mayor and businessman Norman Hillis, who is not an Orangeman, said the celebrations in the town were very successful this year.
He added that he felt that where the Orange Order get their funding from "is their business".
The Ulster Unionist said: "As far as I was concerned, it was a very successful week, it was very good and made the Twelfth more open which is very important in Coleraine.
"Where in the world would you see a parade like this? I was talking to international visitors who thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"We have to move forward to make sure there is something for everybody.
"It is just a pity that there are negative vibes about it coming from a small group of people."
The Twelfth festival in Coleraine involved a week of events in the area before the flagship demonstration in Portrush, and included street entertainment, river trips, historical walks, re-enactments and an Ulster Scots concert.
It also received funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Coleraine Borough Council.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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