Nigerian student experiencing her first Twelfth impressed by strength of belief in Belfast celebration

Sharon was one of many who braved the downpours to cheer on marchers in the city centre.

She said: “The rain isn’t putting us off, it could be snowing and we’d still be here.”

Sharon like her mum Norma and aunt Liz all said they would not like to see the proposed changes to the Twelfth route in Belfast being implemented.

Norma said: “It would be just round and back again, no field or any of that. It would be a real shame if that happened.”

Allen Kilpatrick from LOL 710 agreed: “Personally I like the long walk. Once you’re through the city centre you can get out of first gear. Reaching Barnett’s Demesne is a highlight of the day.”

Allen’s lodge – Ulster Defenders of the Realm – is backed up by a Land Rover that was in active service with the UDR. The lodge itself takes its number from the two UDR Belfast Battalions – 7 and 10.

Every one of the dozens of other Orangemen, bandsmen and supporters that the News Letter spoke to today were not in favour of changes to the Belfast parade.

One lodge even carried a banner which stated: “Keep Our Twelfth”.

Having her first experience of the Twelfth today in Belfast was Favour Okpohs, a Nigerian student at Ulster University.

Posing for her friend to take a photo as the parade paused behind her on the corner of North Street, not far from where she is studying Hospitality Management, Favour was photobombed by an Orangeman.

When she saw the photo that had been taken she laughed then spoke to the Orangeman in question – Mark Davison from LOL 891 – and asked if he could pose for another photo with her.

Speaking to the News Letter, Favour said she was impressed with what she had witnessed: “Seeing everyone coming together to celebrate what they believe. They really have a strong belief. I like the celebration.”

She added: “The music is nice – it’s loud but I like it.”

Another female having her first Twelfth experience was Quinn Spence Dickson from Clonduff.

The one and half yesterday was bopping to the beat of the drums from the shelter of her buggy.

Her mum said it was “wet but worth it”.

An even younger spectator was 13-month-old Etta Wilson, who was at her second Twelfth demonstration having been in Belfast last year aged just five weeks.

Her mum Morgan said her daughter loved the drums: “She was banging her hands on the wee bar on the buggy when they were passing by.”

Looking the part on the day was Paula Strain from Mount Vernon who had her hair done in red, white and blue braids.

She said it took a couple of hours and that she had it braided in June in preparation for the big day out which she never misses.