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Thousands throng Cookstown for glorious 12th celebrations

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Officers and brethren of Killyman District LOL No1.

COOKSTOWN was indeed "Looking Good and Looking Great" as it hosted the Twelfth on Monday.
And full marks go to the local organisers, Cookstown District No 3, for the excellent manner in which they organised not only the Twelfth but also the Festival of events in the district leading up to the big day.
Cookstown was one of just five Twelfth demonstrations to be selected as a Flagship for what is now renowned as the biggest festival in Northern Ireland and the town certainly lived up to its Flagship billing with 80 lodges and bands stepping out along the two-and-a-half-mile parade route.
It is seven years since the town last hosted the Twelfth and taking part were the Districts of Killyman, Stewartstown, Castlecaulfield, Pomeroy, Coagh, Benburb and Cookstown.
In addition to the two giant arches, the town was bedecked in red, white and blue bunting for the occasion on Monday and as the bands, banners and brethren made their way through the long straight parade route, Cookstown became a sea of colour for the occasion.
All lodges formed up in the Assembly Field on the Grange Road. The parade moved off at 12.30pm sharp in the following order: Platform Party, WLOL, Killyman; Stewartstown; Castlecaulfield; Pomeroy; Coagh; Benburb and the host District, Cookstown.
The parade made its way from the Grange Road along Killymoon Street, Church Street, Loy Street and through the packed town centre to the Demonstration Field on the Moneymore Road at the Monrush end of the town.
Thousands lined the route for the parade and in addition to the Orange brethren and ladies, some well-known cartoon characters joined in the parade and proceeded to give out goodies along the route, which went down a treat, especially with the younger generation!
In the Demonstration Field there was more fun with face painting, balloon modelling, a bouncy castle and a slide for the young. The Ulster Scots Folk Group "The Lyttle Family" also provided entertainment in the Demonstration Field, which was very much enjoyed.
The Platform Proceedings in "The Field" took the form of a Religious Service. The Service was Chaired by Wor Bro Robert G Leonard, WDM Cookstown District No 3, with Tamlaghtmore Silver Band providing the music for the singing of hymns.
Prayer and a Scripture Reading was by Wor Bro David Reid (County Grand Chaplain) and Bro the Rev Robert Boyd respectively.
The Address was given by Wor Bro the Rev Dr David Murphy, formerly of Cookstown. The Rev Dr Murphy has been ministering in Cunningham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey for the past 12 years. He was previously in the joint charge of Bellaghy and Knockloughrim Presbyterian Churches for seven years and was assistant minister of First Cookstown Presbyterian Church.
Stated the Rev Dr Murphy: "May I first of all say a very sincere thank you to the Officers of Cookstown District for their very kind invitation to join with the other Districts in the South and East Tyrone area and their visitors to celebrate the 320th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
“Today, and on many other days and on many other occasions throughout the year, we engage in the activities of our Institution and carry them out in the name of King William III Prince of Orange.
“We do this in memory of him and of the victory that he secured for civil and religious liberty in the Williamite Revolution.
“He was victorious over the tyrannical and arbitrary powers being exercised at that time by James II of England/Ireland and James VII of Scotland.
“A campaign for freedom brought William to Ireland in the Summer of 1690 and eventually to what has been described as the third and greatest Orange victory over the forces of James at the Boyne, the battle we primarily remember and celebrate today; the other victories being of course at Derry, Aughrim and Enniskillen."
Continued the Rev Dr Murphy: "In our Institution we engage in many activities that bring to our memory the deliverance achieved, by the providence of God, under His servant King William III Prince of Orange. I think it's important that we should always so remember and today the 12th of July should be, as it has always been for us, an important day.
“But our Orangeism, brethren, while it commits us to the memory of King William and to the need to uphold his honour and maintain his principles, must lead us on further because as a Christian Institution, espousing the Reformed Faith, we must see to it that whatever we are or do, it must be done in a greater name than that of William; it must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, pleasing to Him and for His glory.
“As Christians we are to live and act in the name of Jesus Christ, we are to uphold His honour and maintain His principles as the One by whom we have been made, through faith & repentance, the "children of God" and therefore Brethren in Christ.
“And therein again lies the challenge for all of us."
Following the speeches, the Resolutions were read by Wor Bro James Emery (Deputy County Grand Master). These were Proposed by Wor Bro Perry Reid (County Grand Secretary) and Seconded by Wor Bro Franklin Kelly (County Grand Treasurer).
A Vote Of Thanks was Proposed by Bro Glen Espie (Deputy District Master, Cookstown District) and Seconded by Bro Norman Thom (Cookstown District Lay Chaplain).
Closing Prayer and Benediction was by Bro the Rev Robert Boyd.
The Platform Proceedings concluded with the National Anthem.
Following the Platform Proceedings, the lodges and bands from the seven Districts made their way out of the Demonstration Field in the same order and paraded along the Moneymore Road and Oldtown Street.
Lodges departing by bus left the Demonstration Field and proceeded to the pick up point via Moneymore Road, Oldtown Street, Coagh Street, Union Street and Molesworth Street, to make their way back to their respective towns and villages where homecoming feeder parades were once again held to bring another memorable Twelfth to an end.
Next year the venue for the Twelfth celebrations will be Stewartstown.

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