Lodge calendar honours Somme veterans

THE banner unfurled by a local Orange Lodge earlier this year has not only won a province wide competition but has also become the focus of a limited edition calendar soon to go on sale.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Oct 2010, 12:28 BST
Updated 11th Oct 2010, 17:54 BST

Ballymaconnelly LOL 360 won a News Letter competition to find the most striking banner in Northern Ireland. Entries flooded in for the competition and the local lodge was chosen as the winner.

The banner - the first to be unfurled in 40 years - drew much praise from observers particularly as it depicted four local men from Ballymaconnelly who joined the 36th Ulster Division and were killed in action at the Battle of the Somme.

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They were Joseph Watson, Robert Ramsey, James Watson and Robert John Coleman and their names have been woven into the banner along with a scene from the Battle of the Somme.

Present Lodge officials and members are proud of those four men and have ensured their names will live on for generations not only with the banner but on the new calendar for 2011.

The banner was unfurled on July 9 by Mrs. Mildred McIlfatrick whose late husband, William, was a highly respected member of the Lodge. The same scissors used 40 years ago for another banner were brought back for the July ceremony.

There are only 360 calendars for sale (matching the number of the Lodge) and are available from Lodge members.

Related topics:Northern Ireland