12th July. Parade, Rathcool 2007.

It’s 8.30am. And we have arrived at Mossley Orange Halls to parade with LOL.134.

This will be our 17th consecutive year parading with LOL 134, who is part of the Glengormly District which comes under the east Antrim County.

As the band steps down from the bus we are welcomed by friends & members from the lodge, some whom we haven’t seen since the last 12th and some only last week at the Glasgow main demonstration, but no matter they all welcomed the band.

This years 12th was to be a little more special for some of the band members than most, as it was to be there first 12th July parade, i.e. Master’s, Alexander Mac Adam, Alexander Paul, Allen Paul, Chris Stewart, Allen Kemp, Ross Sharp, Other members on there first 12th with Black Skull were Paul Mc Naught and Allen Brannon on the bass drum,

The 12th is held in various venues within the east Antrim area and this year it was to be Rathcool who would be hosting the 12th July Celebrations.

We set of from the lodge hall to march round the local area as normal before we go to meet up with the rest of the District to parade through the town.

After parading with the District through Glengormly we head of to Rathcool to join up with the rest of the Districts to do the main 12th July parade.

Up till now the weather has been fine, a bit over cast but no rain, but as we arrived in Rathcool our luck ran out, down came the rain, and it stayed on for most of the parade. The rain didn’t keep the crowds away, there was still a good attendance overall considering the weather. It was time to go back to the lodge hall for a bite to eat and cool refreshment, which was most welcoming to all concerned.

Time to return back to the field for the return journey home. As we made our way back the sun was now shinning which would make the return parade that bit more enjoyable. As the parade moved off from the field some of the bands dressed up in a carnival theme which is normal at this 12th parade, and this year was no different. If there were prizes for the best dress there could only be one winner, the Steeple band, every member in the band was dressed up as a circus clowns, the colour party had specially made flags for the occasion, “first class.”

After the marching was all done and dusted we sat down to enjoy the annual B, Q, Which the lodge puts on at the end of each 12th July celebrations to the delight of everyone. Idris and Ian where fore front with piny and spatula handing out the food, Once again lads you did a grand job feeding the

40, 000.

After the B, Q, it’s that time again for lodge and band to thank each other for another great 12th July before bringing an end to the day, but before we closed the day’s proceedings the band had a special presentation to make to one of its members.

The band master took the floor to present band member Willie Menzies with an engraved tankard for his work contribution and dedication to the band over the last year. It was an emotional moment for all concerned especially big W.M.

It was time to say our good bye’s to all the members of LOL. 134. for another year

And thank them once again for everything they have done for the band, which has to be said, is second to none.

As we made our way back to East Belfast to complete our last parading of the12th day, we forget about the sore feet and stiff joints and get ready to fall in with East Belfast District to march up the famous Templemore avenue to the thousands of spectators. As usual the band gets a fantastic reception from many friends the band has in East Belfast, and it has to be said they make them self’s heard as we march up the avenue and back to our hotel to bring the 12th July 2007 to an end.

It only leaves me to thank everyone concerned with LOL 134 & Black Skull Glasgow for making this another memorable 12th July and hope that the friendship between the lodge and the band keeps growing in strength as it seems to do as every year goes bye.

I look forward as I am sure the band doe’s; to next years 12th July parade in Ballyclare So till them, keep the faith & No Surrender’