Bushmills 2022
The Meeting of Two L.O.L. 803's
In 2022 Rawlins White Memorial LOL 803 accepted the kind invite to walk with Ballintoy Rising Sons of William LOL 803, at their Twelfth of July parade in Bushmills, County Antrim. The Lodges had met previously at the Twelfth parade in Cloughmills, but the plans to walk together were held up due to the Coronavirus crisis.
These are the only two Orange Lodges which share the 803 warrant number – one from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, and one from the Grand Orange Lodge of England. So in 2022 a few members of the Welsh Lodge were able to make the trip across to the beautiful Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland for the occasion.
On the 11th of July the Brethren visited the statue and grave of Sergeant Robert Quigg V.C of the 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. Sergeant Quigg was awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery at The Battle of The Somme on 1st July 1916.
On the morning of the Twelfth, the Brethren were greeted warmly by Ballintoy LOL 803 at their picturesque Orange Hall, which looks over the stunning coastline. After a short meeting our newly installed Worshipful Master Bro Joe Stevenson, presented the Ballintoy Lodge with a specially engraved piece of Welsh slate to mark the occasion.
The parade was very enjoyable and after a misty morning with some drizzle, the afternoon saw the Brethren, Sisters, Juniors and Bands parade in glorious sunshine through the lovely village.
Many thanks to the Brethren of Ballintoy Rising Sons of William LOL 803 for a very enjoyable Twelfth of July on the county Antrim coast – it was fantastic to see both LOL 803 banners parading together and we hope some day in the future to repeat the experience.
