Service celebrates Flagship Twelfth

The parched marchers were glad of the rest and refreshments which met them at Wilton Park, where all manner of stalls and entertainment were lined up to help make the Twelfth celebrations a memorable day for all the family.

A focal point of the afternoon was the religious service and the official welcome and opening remarks were performed by the City Grand Master of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, Bro James Hetherington.

The Call to Worship was performed by Rev Ivan Dinsmore, City Grand Chaplain of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, who also led the prayers and performed the sermon. Further prayer was led by Rev Mervyn Lindsay, Deputy Grand Chaplain, City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, who also performed the Benediction.

The opening hymn was ‘I crown Him with many crowns’. and the closing hymn was ‘Kind of my life, I crown Thee now’. Music for the religious service was provided by Mrs Ida Canning, organist.

The Bible reading was from 1Peter 2: 9-17, and was read by Bro Ernest McCay, City Grand Secretary, City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge.

The Resolutions

Following the religious service the Resolutions were read, proposed and seconded.

The First Resolution, The Faith, was proposed by Bro Maurice Devenney, Deputy City Grand Master and District Master, City of Londonderry No1 District, and seconded by Bro Samuel Calvin, Deputy County Grand Master, Co Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge.

The Second Resolution, The Loyalty, was proposed by Bro Bert McGonigle, District Master, Raphoe No3 District, and seconded by Bro Mark Smith, District Master, Limavady No6 District.

The Third Resolution, The State, was proposed by Bro Jack Galbraith, District Master, City of Londonderry No5 District, and seconded by Bro George Duddy, Past County Grand Master and District Master, Coleraine No2 District.

Following the Resolutions the Grand Masters’ Address was given by Bro Edward Stevenson, Grand Master, of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Bro Henry Dunbar, Grand Master, of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, and seconded by Bro Ron Bather, Grand Master, Grand Orange Lodge of England.

The City Grand Master, Bro Hetherington, brought the proceedings to a close, and the National Anthm was sung.

Immediately following the Service and Resolutions the Parade was called to reform and was ready to depart the field for the return parade at 4.30pm.