First Orange Arch on Shankill Road since 1960s to be officially opened
A new Orange Arch, will be opened and dedicated at the West Belfast Queen Elizabeth ll Memorial Orange Hall on the Shankill Road in Belfast tomorrow.
The Arch, the first on the Shankill Road since the mid-1960s, will be officially opened by Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Edward Stevenson and dedicated by Rev. Dr. Stanley Gamble, Grand Chaplain of Ireland just after 7pm.
The Chairman of the Shankill Orange Arch Committee, Fred Worthington said: “The response of local businesses, clubs and individuals has been outstanding.
"The support of the Greater Shankill community and people across Northern Ireland and the UK mainland has been phenomenal. We have been greatly encouraged by the huge interest in this project and generous response it has received.
"We look forward to the future with confidence, as our Orange Institution continues to grow in the Greater Shankill.”
The County Grand Master of Belfast, Spencer Beattie thanked local businessman Mr Ian Bell, for his financial support for the Arch.
Mr Beattie said: “Thanks to the generosity of Ian Bell, the Orange family at ‘The West’ and the wider community of Greater Shankill has a cultural tradition restored. Ian Bell’s support has made a dream become a reality.
"This Arch is in memory of Ian Bell’s late father, who was a local entertainer. A former member of the Orange Institution, Bro William ‘Belter’ Bell, was a member of Old Boyne Island Heroes LOL 633.”