New role in Orange Order

He was elected at a meeting of the Committee on Wednesday by the representatives of the 25 Districts that make up County Antrim Grand Orange Lodge.

Speaking after the meeting Brian commented: “Firstly can I thank the members of the committee for electing me as their Chairman for 2016. I am delighted to take on this role as I have a great interest in the Orange Order, having been a member since 1985.

“From 2001 when I was elected as a Councillor to Antrim Borough Council I didn’t have the same time to devote myself to the world of Orangeism but now, since ‘retirement’ has caught up with me, I now have the time to pursue other interests.

“Last year I was approached to become a volunteer guide at Schomberg House, headquarters of The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland in Belfast, which I accepted and have been there a few times to help out when needed. Now, in this new role I have committed myself to furthering the cause of Orangeism in County Antrim which I am looking forward to and with the support of the Brethren in the Committee this will hopefully come naturally to me.

“On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank Bro. Stephen Anderson (Cloughmills District No.14) for his leadership as Chairman over the past three Years. Stephen applied himself to the task in hand and he will be a hard act to follow.”

County Antrim Cultural and Education Committee is a committee under the jurisdiction of County Antrim Grand Orange Lodge.

County Antrim Grand Orange Lodge comprises 25 District Lodges as follows:

Larne District No.1 - Aghalee District No.2 - Ballinderry District No.3 - Glenavy District No.4 - Rasharkin District No.5

Lisburn District No.6 - Portglenone District No.7 - Ballymena District No.8 - Magheragall District No.9 - Sixmilewater District No.10 - Derriaghy District No.11 - Ahoghill District No.12 - Antrim District No.13 - Cloughmills District No.14 - Staffordstown District No.15 - Ballymoney District No.16 - Killead District No.17 - Braid District No.18 - Carrickfergus District No.19 - Cullybackey District No.20 - Bushmills District No.21 - Randalstown District No.22 - Ballycastle District No.23 - Cloughfern District No.24 - Carnmoney District No.25

The Cultural & Education Committed is made up of representatives elected by the 25 Districts and meets 5 times per year in Ahoghill Orange Hall. The meeting on Wednesday 3rd February 2016 included the election of Officers for 2016. Also, as 2016 is the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme the committee is hosting a Somme Centenary Commemoration Dinner in the Rosspark Hotel Kells on Saturday 19th November. Tickets are available at £25 each.

Other events by the committee for 2016 includes a Indoor Bowling Competition (date to be confirmed) and an Orange Arch Competition (open to all Orange Arches around the 12th July). Application forms will be distributed to all Orange Lodges in County Antrim for both events.

The 2016 election of Officers resulted in the following Brethren being elected - Chairman, Bro. Brian Graham (Sixmilewater District No.10) Vice Chairman - Bro. Kenneth Hull ( Aghalee District No.2) Chaplin - Bro. Keith Black (Ahoghill District No.12) Secretary - Bro. Gary Campbell (Derriaghy District No.11) Assistant Secretary - Bro. Charles Hamilton (Glenavy District No.4)Treasurer - Bro. Roland Hill (Ballycastle District No.23) Indoor Bowling Committee - Bro. Jim Tinsley (Glenavy District No.4) Orange Arch Committee - Bro. Kenneth Hull (Aghalee District No.2) & Bro. Jim Tinsley (Glenavy District No.4) Auditors - Bro. Tom McMullan (Staffordstown District No.15) & Bro. Norman Montgomery (Braid District No.18)