The Last Saturday 2026 a wonderful display of our culture and Christian witness

The Last Saturday celebrations usually bring the major parades in the parading season to a close with over 17,000 members of Royal Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth taking place as the name suggests on the last Saturday in August each year.

To me as a Sir Knight and member of the institution since 1991 it is one of my favourite days.  The bands many of them the best marching bands to be found anywhere in the world are at their finest at the end of the summer.  The colourful banners with the Biblical messages show how important the Bible is to us as members or Sir Knights as we are known.  The Reformed Christian faith at the core of our Institution adds to the many special attributes of the day.

Over the last 36 years as a proud member of the Institution I have been so honoured to hold a number of offices including being past assistant and County Tyrone Grand Standard Bearers.   Officers in Kirlish “Golden Lights” Royal Black Preceptory No. 666, my private Preceptory that is a member of Castlederg Royal Black District Chapter No. 6 in County Tyrone.  Currently I am the Castlederg District Chapter Standard bearer.  A role I have been privileged to hold for 30 years, being promoted from assistant District Standard Bearer before that.

This year despite it being a wet day in Dungannon where we joined with the five other Districts in County Tyrone, other visiting District Chapters and Preceptories for a much larger demonstration it was once again a very successful day with large crowds on the parade route, the beautiful flags and bunting.   

But our Institution is not just about parading which is of course very important to our civil and religious rights ever since the Institution was first formed in County Armagh in 1797.  It is one of the greatest faith based institutions to be found anywhere in the world and that is why the Black Institution continues to expand across the globe. 

We as Sir Knights undertake fundraising for charitable causes.  Help to spread the word of God through Gospel Missions and as part of the local communities where we live and work help to improve those communities.

Our Present Grand Master is Sir Knight Rev. William Anderson and the Grand Master’s bi-annual appeal for 2026-2027 has a goal of raising £100,000 Pounds for the Faith Mission.  Over the last 24 years the Grand Master’s appeal has raised over £850,000 Pounds for charitable causes.   

Stevan Patterson, Castlederg County Tyrone