Lodge Opening 17/3/12
'Reviving Orangeism in South Wales'
Orangeism returned to South Wales on St. Patrick’s Day 2012 after a 91 year absence. It was on that historic day, that Rawlins White Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge number 803, of Cardiff, was formed. The Lodge room was decorated with flags and bunting and two full size Orange banners either side of the Master’s table, and in the centre of the room was a Lambeg drum.
The day started with the meeting being opened by Plymouth District No. 64, Worshipful Master Brother Nick Baker. The new warrant was then presented and the election and installation of officers for the new Lodge was carried out. The Grand Orange Lodge of England had given permission for the old Cardiff City Lodge warrant number 803 to be reissued, so maintaining a link with the previous Cardiff Lodge.
At this stage, the new Lodge took over the proceedings and the first item on the agenda was the initiation of a new candidate into the Loyal Orange Institution. After the conclusion of the degree, there were a number of speeches given, by many of the visiting Brethren and Sisters, who numbered 83. It was very pleasing that Brethren and Sisters had come from all five corners of the British Isles for this historic meeting.
Some gifts were then given to the new Lodge and the Worshipful Master Bro Mullaney presented a specially made jewel to some of the Brethren and Sisters who had provided invaluable help in setting up the Lodge.
One of the gifts presented was a new bannerette painted by Brother John Currie of Renfrewshire. It features the martyrdom of Rawlins White, a Cardiff fisherman in 1555. It was unveiled and dedicated by Metropolitan Provincial Chaplain Bro John McDowell and by Sister Rachel Currie, of the No. 1 Sports and Social Club of Larne, who very kindly paid for the bannerette – a tremendous gift from Larne to the new Lodge. See our Bannerette Page for more details.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, tea and sandwiches were served in the church hall. In the evening a social event was held in Cardiff city centre, where Corby Purple Star Flute Band and Luton & Bedford Lambeg Drumming Club played – the Lodge had also hired Piper Craig Donoghue for the day and all three provided tremendous entertainment throughout the evening.
It was fantastic day in Cardiff as we ‘Revived Orangeism in South Wales’ and we hope the Lodge will go from strength to strength in the years ahead.
