n

Larne District Lodge defended its own headline-making action in support of the Portadown brethren, which was a blockade of the A8. But Direct Rule Minister Baroness Denton described as “craziness” the 16-hour picket at Millbrook, during which traffic was at one stage backed up as far as Corrs Corner.

While the Tory minister sounded off about damage to the economy, the district lodge maintained its protest had been “necessary” in that it had been a factor in the authorities finally agreeing to allow the Portadown Orangemen to walk on the Garvaghy Road.

Ulster Unionist MP Roy Beggs said it had been “a peaceful demonstration of the extent of the frustration felt right across Northern Ireland”.

nLocal brethren enjoyed a peaceful Twelfth at Antrim and had time to reminisce about days of yore, like the Islandmagee lodge that used to make the crossing over to Larne every Twelfth of July morning on a boat steered across the harbour mouth by one of their number, Sammy McCalmont.

The short voyage was entirely appropriate, given the seafaring connections of many members of LOL 1692.

nA final word on the Twelfth: Back in ‘95 a Larne Times advertiser was offering cash payment for wooden pallets. Given that they have some monetary value, it has always been a puzzle why so many pallets end up being piled up nearly a hundred feet high on Eleventh Night bonfires.

nThe rave scene was buzzing and with it an increase in the use of so-called recreational drugs.

But John McConnell Snr, then proprietor at The Kiln, was having none of it and issued a stark warning to drug users and pushers.

“We are aware that there is likely to be an increase in activity by those who supply these drugs and it is our intention to increase our vigilance, with the assistance of the Drugs Squad if necessary, to identify anyone either supplying or using any drug whatsoever on our business premises and, without exception, hand them over to the police,” he cautioned.

Mr McConnell added: “The message is clear: if you want good entertainment and good company, we at The Kiln want to provide it, but if drugs are your scene, we would rather not see you.”

nThere is nothing new under the sun. Just a few weeks ago there was something akin to a riot at Brown’s Bay and 15 years ago unruly campers were also terrorising residents with their late-night revelry.

Councillor Samuel McAllister said the RUC had been in the area, but had “maintained an observational role”.

Which is exactly what the PSNI did last time around.

nBallycarry, meanwhile, wanted a hotel. The village association, in its response to consultation on a new area plan, called for a review of development boundaries and suggested that a hotel would bring economic benefits to the area.

nMovie-goers who wanted to forget for a couple of hours the scenes of violent meltdown across the Province 15 years ago could indulge in the realm of fantasy and adventure at the Regal cinema, where Batman Forever, the third instalment in the revived franchise, starred Val Kilmer in the title role, fighting off Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face and Jim Carry’s Riddler.

Or they might have preferred First Knight, which was basically the Arthurian legend without the magic. And how it could have done with a wave of Merlin’s wand.

With Sean Connery playing Arthur and Richard Gere as Sir Lancelot (the American Gigolo typecast yet again), it should have been a sight in shining armour, but if truth be told the greatest living Scotsman after Kenny Dalglish was out of place extolling the virtues of the Knightsh of the Rrrround Table and Eckshcalibur.