Annual Drumhead Service in Portglenone on Sunday

The annual event will hold particular significance as local lodges mark the Centenary of the Great War, with a range of events.

The Portglenone event will pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of local men who went from the banks of the Bann to the banks of the Somme almost a hundred years ago. It forms the start of a year of events to mark the centenary of the Somme.

The local District lodge has formed a committee to coordinate the events, which will culminate in a Festival next July when the Independent Twelfth will be hosted by Portglenone District.

The Drumhead Service is a traditional military institution often held on the eve of battle and provides a moment of ‘coming together’ with structure and familiarity to the fore, where God’s blessing and protection are sought.

Sunday’s Service will be held at Portglenone Marina, Gortgole Road, at 3.30pm.

Brethren will muster at Townhill Road at 3pm and parade the village to Service.

A spokesperson for the organisers says: “This year’s Annual Portglenone District Drumhead Service will take on added significance as we recall the service and sacrifice of the 36th Ulster Division in the Great War. Our parade and service is held on the first Sunday of July each year and marks in effect three battles.

“The first is the Battle of the Somme 1916, as it fell on the first of July and next year will be the Centenary. Second the Battle of the Boyne, which in the old calendar also fell on the first and is marked annually on both dates. Finally, as part of Williamite campaign of 1688-89 the Battle of Portglenone was fought over two days on the spot where we hold our service today.

“The Parade will form up on the Townhill Road and we would invite all Orange brethren from both Institutions to join us as we parade the village to the Marina.

“We would invite the public to come and watch along the Main Street or to join us to watch the laying of the Drum Head and our service, and act of remembrance.”

The parade will be led by District Officers and Colour Party with Killycoogan Ind. Accordion Band followed by the lodge and visiting brethren.

District Master Bro Uel Boal, will lay the Drum Head with Colours presented to Wor. Bro Phil Moffatt Deputy Imperial Grand Chaplain who will place them on the Drum Head, before conducting an act of Remembrance, followed by a service. The parade will then reform and return to the Townhill Road.