Parade celebrates centenary milestone
ONLY tolerance of each other’s traditions will ensure a peaceful decade of centenaries, a senior Belfast Orangeman told the first major unionist historical rally that passed off peacefully at the weekend.
Presbyterian minister and County Grand Chaplain for Belfast, Mervyn Gibson, was speaking in Ormeau Park on Saturday at an event to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Balmoral Review.
The Balmoral Review, which took place on Easter Tuesday 1912, was a demonstration against a move to introduce Home Rule, potentially breaking up the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It was attended by up to 200,000 unionists and was addressed by then Conservative leader Andrew Bonar Law as well as iconic unionist leader Edward Carson.
Ormeau Park hosted a community fun evening on Friday as well as being a finishing point for a major city centre parade to commemorate the centenary. It is estimated that 10,000 took part,
Thousands of Orangemen and unionists took part in a huge parade that started from three points in the city – Sandy Row, Shankill Road and Clifton Street Orange Hall – before walking a four-mile route through east Belfast to Ormeau Park.
Junior Minister Jonathan Bell took part in the parade along with DUP MPs Jeffrey Donaldson and Jim Shannon. Former Orange Order Grand Master and South Belfast MP Martin Smyth was also on parade.
Leading loyalist Jackie McDonald also took part in the parade.
Bands from across the Province, including Kilcluney Volunteers, took part as well as Orange lodges from Liverpool and London.
Speaking from the platform on Saturday Mr Gibson said there had been a lot of “misinformed rhetoric” about the event in recent weeks.
He said there had been a lot of “unfounded and mischievous rumours” about the event and claimed that “a lot of naysayers tried to stop us being here”.
He said: “Let me say very simply to one and all. We gather to celebrate the actions of our forebearers, who 100 years ago assembled in their tens of thousands at Balmoral on Easter Tuesday 1912 to demonstrate their opposition to Home Rule.
“It was their actions, their commitment, their tenacity that ensured we remain part of the United Kingdom.
“It was because of their actions that in a few weeks’ time we will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of our sovereign Her Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – long may she reign over us.
“We come as a unionist community having put differences aside for today to honour those who played their part 100 years ago and saved Ulster for the British crown.
“We come not to offend, nor antagonise, nor annoy, we come as many will do over the coming years to celebrate the centenary of an important event in their history.”
Mr Gibson said that only by tolerating each other’s traditions can we all celebrate our culture.
“Only tolerance of each community’s traditions and commemorations will ensure that the remembering of these events contribute to a more peaceful future of understanding and acceptance,” he said.
“Today we gather unashamedly as Protestant and unionist communities honouring those who shared our politics and faith.
“No one has anything to fear from such a peaceful commemoration as this – other than their own insecurities and bigotry.”
The service finished with the singing of Our God Our Help In Ages Past which Mr Gibson termed as Ulster’s traditional battle hymn that was sung at the start of the Balmoral Review in 1912, as well as Abide With Me.
The Ozone area of Ormeau Park was transformed into a tented village with four marquees filled with historical displays courtesy of War Years Remembered including a replica Covenant table where guests could sign their own copy of the famous document with a quill pen. The other marquees were dedicated to the Orange Order, the Apprentice Boys and the final marquee for outreach.
The commemoration started on Friday evening with a funfair and family atmosphere. Entertainment was provided by east Belfast singer Lisa Williamson as well as bands including the Shankill Road Defenders and Gertrude Star Flute Band.
The evening finished with a fireworks display.
The weekend’s events were organised by the Unionist Centenary Committee. All major unionist groups and organisations were given an opportunity to consult on the events being planned.
The next major event on the calendar will be the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant in September.
