12th July in Belfast: No changes to parade this year - relax and enjoy it as usual, says Grand Secretary Mervyn Gibson

The proposals are still being mulled over, but if approved could take effect from 2024. Among the reasons listed for the cut is the hope that “it reduces the issues associated with the homeward element of poor behaviour, excessive alcohol consumption, late joiners, falling in by lodges and bands in inappropriate locations”.

The leaked documents are branded with the logo of the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast and titled: ‘12th July 2024 District Officer’s Briefing Paper’ subtitled ‘A parade fit for a king’.

The paper has stirred debate on social media and in regular media channels in recent days.

But Mr Gibson assured fans that there would be no changes this year at least.

"I would now call on people to calm down, it will be discussed after the Twelfth," he said. "Let's get on with planning to celebrate a good day on Wednesday."

"There will be no changes happening this year anyway. People need to step back and take a deep breath."

"It will be looked at after the Twelfth this year by the Belfast County Lodge - every member will be involved.

"It has been an ongoing discussion with their members for several years - how to enhance the Twelfth in Belfast."

"It has been well aired on social media, it is time to calm down and concentrate on this year and make it a successful Twelfth of July."

One proposal was a shorter circular route that would be half the current length. If that was eventually adopted, he said, lodges would be hope by 1pm and would have an opportunity to hold a fun day in their own local park in the afternoon.

He said there have been many significant changes in the Belfast Twelfth over the years.

The parades used to walk to Holywood and also Ballylesson (six miles south of City Hall).

From 1923 it went to Finaghy Road and changed to Edenderry in 1972.

Then about twenty years ago is changed to

Barnett Demesne

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"We continually enhance the parade for everyone and that is something we continually seek to do," he said.

"There are always reviews of parades for future generations to enjoy them."

"If there is to be change, nothing is decided yet.

"I think people confuse traditions with principles in many ways.

"Nobody has anything to worry about. Concerns will be listened to and hopefully the majority will be addressed.

"It will be a matter for the Belfast County to decide after talking to everyone."

He also noted that a radical change to the Twelfth during the Pandemic resulted in the Twelfth Close to Home, where lodges paraded in their own areas.

"We had tremendously good feedback on that year."