Order elects leaders

While members of the City Grand Lodge have remained tight-lipped about the elections, which will take place this morning, at an undisclosed location in Co Londonderry, the possibility exists that for the first time in decades the top post will also go to a leading Orangeman Edward Stevenson, from Ardstraw. If Mr Wray is elected as his deputy, it will mean both top posts will be occupied by men from the north west corner of the Province.

Many believe that Mr Wray has served the City Grand Lodge well, steering the organisation forward in a progressive and transparent manner. If elected, Mr Wray will occupy a prominent position within the Orange Order which will co-incide with the UK City of Culture celebrations destined for Londonderry in 2013.

In the past Mr Wray has made no secret of his desire for both sides of the community to celebrate the City of Culture in tandem, and is keen for the Order to play a key role in the year-long festivities. In addition, Londonderry will be the focal point for the annual Twelfth of July celebrations during 2013 and Mr Wray is said to be keen for the Order to use the occasion to as a platform to showcase all that is positive about Orange culture and heritage to the world.

Mr Wray joined the Orange Order 43 years ago, at Richmond Hall off Eden Terrace, at the age of 17. After his home Lodge folded, Mr Wray transferred to LOL1912. He became the City Grand Master four years ago having served as Deputy to Gerard Wallace.

In the past he has served as Grand Master of his own Lodge in 1980, and also served as District Grand Master in No.4 District in 1990, the Tercentenary year, as well as twice serving terms as Master in RBP113 and has also served as President of the Apprentice Boys for four years, from 1984 to 1988.

Mr Wray is known for relishing the challenges of serving in office and is noted for striving to give leadership as well as helping the organisations to grow and progress through what he calls ‘commonsense leadership’. It is no secret that he would like to see Orange celebrations given weight and value across the Province as tourist attractions.

Keen to promote the history and culture of the Orange Order and dispel myths, Mr Wray has a vision for the future of the Order and its members that looks to members being open-minded to the beliefs of others, but equally, he is keen that those outside the Order do not simply view the Order and its traditions as ‘a coat-trailing exercise’. He also believes that the Orange Order has a key role to play when it comes to solving the ‘parades issues’.

Meanwhile, Mr Stevenson, who has intimated that he is standing for possible election, is 55 years old and from Ardstraw, and is a farmer with a BA in agriculture. Like Mr Wray, he is a serving official and member of the Orders and has been heavily involved in the Loyal Orders for almost four decades.

Married with a grown-up family, Mr Stevenson is the current Tyrone County Grand Master and is an Elder in Ardstraw Presbyterian Church.

The office of Grand Master of the Orange Lodge of Ireland is not frequently vacated: Mr Saulters was Grand Master for the past 14 years, and before him Rev Martin Smyth lead the Order for 24 years. In addition, if Mr Stevenson if elected to the post it will make him the first Grand master to be elected from the West of the province for many decades.

Mr Stevenson is widely believed to be Mr Saulters’ ‘natural’ successor, not least because he has been the serving Deputy Grand Master for the past three years.