Parades Commission to rule on Crumlin parade

THE PARADES Commission is expected make a ruling on Friday over the South Antrim Combine’s Twelfth demonstration in Crumlin.

Residents opposed to the demonstration say that the parade will have a negative impact on community relations. However the organisers, Glenavy District LOL No 4, insist it will have exactly the opposite effect.

Seventy lodges from seven districts – Lisburn, Glenavy, Magheragall, Hillsborough, Derriaghy, Ballinderry and Aghalee - will take part in the parade which is scheduled to begin at 11.30am and follow a route from Cherryvalley Road, Lurgan Road, Main Street and onto the field at Ballytromery Road with a return journey at 4pm. Five lodges from the Glenavy District will also march through Laurelvale and Ciderourt Road.

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James Tinsley, Past District Secretary of the Glenavy District, said the parade will take just one hour to pass through Crumlin and is only held in the village once every 14 years. In other years it alternate between Derriaghy, Lisburn, Magheragall, Aghalee, Hillsborough, Glenavy or Ballinderry.

“Normally, our route would start at the Glenavy Road and we would pass both the Catholic Church and the Catholic School,” he said. “But we realised that the demographics have changed so decided that our assembly point would be at the top of Cherryvalley Road and we would just go straight through the town and to the field.

“Community relations have always been very good in Crumlin. The last time the 12th was held there a young man had been killed at the railway station and as a matter of respect to him and his family we stopped playing as we walked past the railway station. There was no issue and no opposition then.

“My feeling is that some people have moved into Crumlin and simply want to create tension where none exists.

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“There will be a bit of disruption for an hour that is all. We have experienced and trained marshals to make sure that everything runs smoothly and the last thing that we want is aggravation.”

However, Crumlin resident Joanne Smyth said they had sent a letter to the Orange Order outlining their concern but had not as yet received a reply.

“Our whole community will shut down” she said. “All the amenities will be closed inclidng the shops. The Orange Order has to realise that about 80% of participants in the village will not be participating in this event.

“No-one in the Crumlin Residents’ Association or anyone we have spoken to is objecting to the local Crumlin lodge parading on the twelfth through Crumlin as they normally do every year,” she said.

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“What we are strongly objecting to is the proposed parade with 50 bands, including 4,000 participants, and that is not even including the spectators.

“Why did they feel they did not need to consult with residents?”

Ms Smyth said the organisers had not taken any steps to address the concerns of the residents or to allay their fears.

“We can only go on past history of events of this size and nature and we’re just really disappointed that they did not come to any local representatives, community groups or ask any of the residents what they thought of this parade,” she said.

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“Recently there has been very positive work done in the area by all parts of the community. We just feel all that good work done will be damaged if this parade goes ahead.

Spokesman for the Glenavy district Orange lodge, Tommy Ross, said that on Thursday July 4 and 5 there will be an exhibition at the Orange Hall in Crumlin to give people the opportunity to experience and see what the Orange Order is all about.

“I want people to come in and see the exhibition for themselves,” he said. “It is open to all. They will see what we are all about - not about triumphalism or anything else - all we want is a peaceful family fun day.

“Roads will only be closed for a few hours in the morning and the afternoon of July 12. If there is an emergency we will split the parade and allow vehicles through. That I can guarantee.

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“The parades are well marshalled and I do not see why businesses will close. There will be at least 4000 people there, so businesses would do a good trade.

“It will be a good relations exercise because the minority of Protestants will see that they are allowed to have their culture and tradition in Crumlin.

“The parades are always well run and controlled. It will be a fun day for the kids and then everyone will get into their buses and go home.”

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