Anniversary celebrations for Mountjoy WLOL29

The prestigious event took place at the Lodge Rooms in Victoria Hall on Spencer Road and today the Lodge holds its monthly meetings not too far away at the Victoria Lodge Rooms at Bonds Street in the Waterside.

One of the founder members was Mrs Catherine Holmes and the Lodge is pleased to still have relations of Catherine within the membership. The late Maisie Holmes became a member in 1938 and was a committed and dedicated Secretary of the Lodge for 40 years, until her sad passing on April 22, 2006.

Maisie's daughter, Kay Miller, is also a committed member who at present holds the office of Lodge Treasurer.

Officers

The Lodge Officers for 2010 are: WM, Valerie Moore, who has been elected to this office for the past 20 years; DM, Valerie Simpson; Chaplain, Donna Best; Secretary, Cynthia Armstrong, and Treasurer, Kay Miller.

The Lodge has an active membership of 35 ladies, who attend regular meetings and are prominent at all Orange parades, church services and other activities which assist, promote and sustain the Orange institutions in the City of Londonderry.

"Our success is that we have enjoyable and constructive meetings, a dedicated group of ladies who are pro-active in all aspects of Orangeism and committed to retaining and developing the tradition of the Woman's Lodge as an integral part of the Loyal Orange Institution in Londonderry," said WM, Valerie Moore, adding: "These are a few of the aspects that make WLOL 29 interesting, successful and meaningful."

Through the years the Lodge has been involved with numerous events which have promoted the Orange tradition in the City.

For example, on September 7, 1996, the Lodge assisted in organising a Ladies Orange Day in Londonderry, which included a parade from the Waterside to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, a conducted tour of the City Walls and a reception at the Guildhall.

"The event proved an outstanding success and received great praise and generous compliments from ladies representing their respective Lodges throughout Northern Ireland," said Valerie.

She said that during the past number of years the Lodge had developed a warm relationship with the members of WLOL 73, which is based in Coatbridge in Scotland. This friendship was forged following an initial visit by the ladies of WLOL 29 to the Lanarkshire Boyne Celebrations in 1992, and has been enhanced and strengthened each successive year with the annual trip to the Twelfth in Scotland.

Bellshill

"We look forward to July this year to accompany our friends and Sisters on parade in the town of Bellshill," said Valerie.

"Many ideas have been suggested by members to celebrate and commemorate the 90th anniversary of our formation. These events will commence on Saturday, February 27, with a visit to Parliament buildings, Stormont, followed by a tour of belfast City Hall. This outing will be a forerunner to a number of exciting and exclusive events for the Lodge during the next 12 months," she said.

"The enthusiasm of the members is ample witness that the Woman's Orange Institution is vibrant, industrious and energetic in today's society. We are confident that future members will continue to maintain our culture and traditions and no doubt enjoy the responsibility of commemorating many further prestigious anniversaries for our Institution in general, and this lodge in particular," the WM said.

Any lady interested in joining the Women's Orange can write to the Secretary, Cynthia Armstrong, c/o Victoria Lodge Rooms, Bonds Street, Waterside, Londonderry.