Loyal order bandsmen and women beat out tributes to virus frontline fighters

The institution had put out a call midweek for all people connected with bands and loyal orders to bring out their instruments during Thursday night’s regular minute-long ‘Clap for our Carers’.

And images circulating on social media afterwards show that people took up the call in droves, banging Lambeg drums and playing flutes and accordions during the 8pm mark of respect for the NHS – of which the News Letter has pictured just a handful (right).

Iain Carlisle, Chief Executive of the Order, said: “The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is delighted that so many bandsmen and women took time to ‘drum up support’ for the NHS and essential workers on Thursday evening. We’ve been greatly encouraged by this and will certainly consider something similar in the weeks ahead.

“The Orange Family, which includes a great many local bands, has been playing its part in helping support local communities during these difficult days and will continue to do so. The hard work and dedication of NHS staff is vital in tackling Covid-19 and the chance to express our thanks through music is just a way of recording our appreciation for all that they do.”

Darryl Hewitt, Portadown district master, said he had been tending cows at the time of the 8pm tribute, but “did hear a few Lambegs going around the countryside – maybe three or four of them”.

And Quincey Dougan, columnist for the Orange Standard, said in his Markethill area alone, he knew of over a dozen different examples of people taking part.

He said: “It’s being appreciated beyond the confines of the Orange community and tradition. You know, you can see on social media people right across the political and cultural spectrum are expressing their support for the actions.”

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