Twelfth milestone
Thursday, 15 July 2010
King William leads the East Antrim Combine demonstration down Fountain Street in Antrim on Monday.
THE streets of Antrim echoed to the sound of more than 8,000 pairs of feet yesterday (Monday) as more than 70 Lodges from the East Antrim Combine's nine Districts joined the colourful parade through the town.
At the stroke of 11am the procession started in brilliant sunshine with the clattering of hooves as King William of Orange, flanked by the North Irish Dragoons, moved off from Fountain Hill at the head of Antrim's biggest ever Twelfth of July parade.
Within minutes drums, flutes, bagpipes and brass joined in the mix, along with cheers from the huge crowds that lined the route through the heart of the town.
Among them were visitors from all over the UK and further afield, accompanied by 60 bands from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.
SO vast was the 'flagship' Twelfth in Antrim yesterday (Monday) that some bands and lodges had yet to start their march as members of host District Antrim LOL 13 turned on to the Randalstown Road.
Though very much a day of celebration for the brethren, this was an event tinged with sadness too with a simple wreath laying ceremony at Massereene Barracks at the very spot where Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar were gunned down in March 2009.
From there it was on to the field at Castle Road where the weary Orangemen gathered for refreshments and the opportunity to step back in time to a 'living history' village set up to give an insight into how life was for the men who fought and died at the Boyne.
The East Antrim Combine has always favoured a religious service at the field and this year was no exception, with a crowd gathering to sing the hymns 'O God our help in ages past' and 'Abide with me'.
Bro Andy Gilliland, District Lay Chaplain for Antrim District, read the scripture - but this year it was Rev Bro Robert Campbell who took centre stage for much of the proceedings.
Rev Campbell, Chaplain of Sixmilewater District Number 10, conducted the prayer, the Act of Remembrance, as well as the main address.
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