Twelfth 2020: Top Co Antrim Orangeman says ‘It has been a real experience... one I hope to never have again’

Dessie Gray, the Worshipful Deputy Country Grand Master of Co Antrim, said he had been to a couple of small band parades on Monday, and said in each case there were no more than 30 people marching.

He said whilst a handful of bandsmen also happened to be Orange Order members and wore their sashes, there were no Orange marchers who came out to march as a lodge.

The town of Broughshane had a bonfire, but “a lot smaller” than usual and drawing fewer participants.

People had “deinfitely” been social distancing – “even young boys you’d expect not to pay any heed, they were saying: ‘Stand back, keep back a bit’”.

He said: “I’d say we’ve kept to the Covid rules 99.9% of the time. I neither saw a band nor drumming club with more than 30 people.”

He continued: “It’s been odd; a very strange, odd day.

“It’s been a real experience, put it like that.

“I hope never, ever, ever, to have to do this again.

“We’re at a loss. We’re a marching organisation, and unless you can get marching then all the barbecues and all the band parades and all the services doesn’t add up to a good auld parade on the Twelfth.

“Sure, there’ll be another year. The thing is, 2021 is [the centenary] of the formation of Northern Ireland. So I’d imagine there’d be some massive parades.”

Brian Graham, secretary of the Sixmilewater district of south Antrim, covering nine lodges, told the News Letter that hfor his father Joseph, who is aged 101 and has spent over 83 years in the institution, there was “no doubt” that this was the strangest Twelfth for him since World War Two.

“But you just have to do as your told,” said Mr Graham.

“In 100 years’ time when none of us are about maybe the generation then will maybe look back on it, wondering what it’s all about.”

One of the streets that organised its own party was Beechfield Court in east Belfast.

Residents erected an orange arch made of balloons and several bands paid a visit during the day.

John Williamson, from the local community group, said everyone had pulled together to stage the event.

“We thought we would approach the Twelfth of July in a different manner because of what’s going on with the virus so we decided to have a socially distanced street party to bring the kids into it, decorate our court and put an orange arch up,” he said.

“We have brought the community together, the community has actually worked together to prepare the court and prepare the party.”

Another initiative in the city saw lunch boxes delivered to older people.

One of the organisers, Rachael Davison, said it was important to reach out to the older generation and help them enjoy their day.

“Whenever we got news that the Twelfth had to be cancelled and the Orange Order was encouraging people to stay at home, we thought how can we encourage our community to support that and to stay at home but to enjoy the celebration, so we came up with the idea to put together a tea box with tea bags and say to people, ‘have a lovely cup of tea and lunch on us and stay in’,” she said.

“We’re aware of coronavirus and we’re aware of the dangers of being out, so it’s stay in and enjoy the Twelfth and celebrate it at home.”

Pensioner Ruth Girvan, from Moorgate Street, was a recipient of one of the boxes.

“It’s very, very different this year but we like to keep the culture going and we like to celebrate,” she said.

“So we’re just having a good time with all the neighbours.

“It’s a great community spirit in our street, we’ve been decorating it for 30 years. We always have a good time.”

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