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BBC News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tens of thousands attend Scarva parade and Sham Fight
About 100,000 people have turned out for the annual Royal Black parade and Sham Fight in Scarva - one of the organisation's biggest events to than 90 Royal Black Institution preceptories and marching bands took part in the traditional procession through the County Down of the highlights of the day is the traditional Sham Fight between period actors dressed as King William III and King James II at the Scarva Demesne.
The Independent
12-07-2025
- The Independent
Tens of thousands take to streets for annual July 12 Orange Order parades
Tens of thousands are set to take to the streets across Northern Ireland for the Orange Order's annual July 12 parades. The festivities will be spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. It comes after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. On Sunday morning, an Orange Order parade has been permitted to pass Ardoyne shops in north Belfast restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. It is a return parade at a former flashpoint which traditionally took place on the evening of July 12 often resulting in violent scenes. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. While most of the bonfires passed off peacefully, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. Pictures of the Irish rap band Kneecap and Irish flags were also burned on other pyres. But the most contentious bonfire was located on a site containing asbestos and close to an electricity sub station off the Donegall Road in south Belfast. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, around 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff will be working on July 12. On the 11th night, around 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is due to falling police numbers and the resultant increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has urged mutual respect in the marking of events. 'These celebrations and others that occur throughout the year are a valued part of Northern Ireland's local history and culture,' he said. 'They can and should be occasions where communities come together in a spirit of inclusiveness and pride, through local traditions. 'Mutual respect is the foundation of strong, safe communities. 'There is no place for hate or intimidation—only space for celebration that welcomes and celebrates not divides. 'Our officers will be on the ground throughout the weekend, working in partnership with community leaders, event organisers, and local representatives to support lawful, peaceful, and family-friendly events. However where necessary, we will take firm and proportionate action to keep people safe. 'Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone. 'Let's ensure that this weekend reflects the very best of our communities: proud, respectful, and united.'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Tens of thousands take to streets for annual July 12 Orange Order parades
Tens of thousands are set to take to the streets across Northern Ireland for the Orange Order's annual July 12 parades. The festivities will be spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II. It comes after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights. On Sunday morning, an Orange Order parade has been permitted to pass Ardoyne shops in north Belfast restricted to one band and 50 members of the order. It is a return parade at a former flashpoint which traditionally took place on the evening of July 12 often resulting in violent scenes. Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh will take place on Monday. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James. While most of the bonfires passed off peacefully, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. Pictures of the Irish rap band Kneecap and Irish flags were also burned on other pyres. But the most contentious bonfire was located on a site containing asbestos and close to an electricity sub station off the Donegall Road in south Belfast. Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, around 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission. Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy. More than 4,000 police officers and police staff will be working on July 12. On the 11th night, around 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires. The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year. The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still. This is due to falling police numbers and the resultant increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has urged mutual respect in the marking of events. 'These celebrations and others that occur throughout the year are a valued part of Northern Ireland's local history and culture,' he said. 'They can and should be occasions where communities come together in a spirit of inclusiveness and pride, through local traditions. 'Mutual respect is the foundation of strong, safe communities. 'There is no place for hate or intimidation—only space for celebration that welcomes and celebrates not divides. 'Our officers will be on the ground throughout the weekend, working in partnership with community leaders, event organisers, and local representatives to support lawful, peaceful, and family-friendly events. However where necessary, we will take firm and proportionate action to keep people safe. 'Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone. 'Let's ensure that this weekend reflects the very best of our communities: proud, respectful, and united.'
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
12 July: Where are the parades this year?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend parades across Northern Ireland on Saturday as the annual Twelfth of July commemorations take place. The event memorialises the Protestant King William III's victory over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in July is the biggest day in the Orange Order's marching calendar and this year - the 335th anniversary of the battle - is currently forecast to be a very warm day. The main parades will be held in 18 venues across all six counties, with villages, towns and cities taking their turn to host their neighbouring lodge members. 12 July weather forecast With forecasters predicting a heatwave this weekend, it is likely to be a very warm Twelfth of July, with temperatures possibly reaching over warmest Twelfth on record was in Belfast in 1983 when the thermometer hit second hottest Twelfth of July was at Thomastown, County Fermanagh, in 2013 with a top temperature of 29.1C. County Antrim - Belfast Parade Belfast hosts Northern Ireland's longest Twelfth parade - a six-mile route which will start from Belfast Orange Hall, Carlisle Circus, at 10:00 BST on marchers will first make their way to Belfast City Hall via Clifton Street, Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, and Donegall they reach the grounds of the city hall, a short military remembrance service will take place and a wreath for the war dead will be laid at the parade then moves south through the city via Bedford Street, the Dublin Road, Lisburn Road and Malone Road until it reaches its destination at Barnett's total of 77 bands, including some from Scotland, will participate in the parade. Ballymena Although many towns and villages must wait their turn to host a major Twelfth demonstration, Ballymena is the only place outside Belfast to hold an annual year's parade sets off from Wakehurst Road, Ballymena, at 12:30 BST and is due to arrive at the at the People's Park for the traditional speeches at 14:30 BST.A new junior girls' lodge - the Daughters of Ferniskey - will be making their Twelfth debut during the march. Carnlough The seaside village of Carnlough will host 11 local lodges and nine bands on Saturday with a parade starting from Bay Road at 12:00 BST. Marchers will make their way to the demonstration field near St Patrick's Church. For younger spectators there will be bouncy castles and funfair-style attractions in the afternoon, with the return parade setting off at about 16:00 BST. Cullybackey The County Antrim village's award-winning pipe band will feature at this year's parade, alongside former world champions the McNeillstown Pipe Band and sets off from Ard Na Main at 12:30 BST, heading for the Cullybackey Community Playing Fields. A large number of Lambeg drummers - playing one of the biggest and loudest percussion instruments musicians can carry - will stage a display in the afternoon, Glengormley About 3,000 people are expected to take part in the Glengormley parade, including members from 66 lodges and almost 40 bands. The march begins at 11:00 BST at Jubilee Way, eventually making its way towards V36 Park beside the Valley Leisure Centre for a religious service and speeches. A family-friendly event has been organised, with funfair rides, facepainting and other children's entertainment in the park on Saturday afternoon. Lisburn Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will be the guest speaker at the Lisburn demonstration on Saturday afternoon. The organisers said the main field at the Brambles will be "transformed into a festive hub" with food stalls, family-friendly entertainment and bouncy castles. The parade begins from Wallace Park at 11:30 BST with Orange Order members from 65 lodges expected to participate. Rasharkin The Orange Order's county grand master of Antrim will address spectators at the demonstration field at the Turnpike, following a parade through Rasharkin will set out from Finvoy Road at 13:00 BST, with 43 lodges and 33 bands due to take part. Food vendors and "attractions for all ages" will be set up in the field. County Armagh - Keady parade County Armagh is the birthplace of the Orange Order and the county is traditionally home to the "largest Orange gathering in the world each 12th of July".This year, the town of Keady will host the event for the first time in 13 years and an anticipated 5,000 Orangemen will take part in the march begins at 10:30 BST at Keady District Hall, with platform proceedings at the field in the early afternoon, led by Armagh's county grand master. County Down - Dromara Highland dancers from Finnis will be among the entertainers in the village of Dromara as it plays host to about 2,500 will depart from Dromara Orange Hall at 11:30 BST, before leading the main parade from an assembly point on the Banbridge Road at noon. They will walk towards the demonstration field, opposite Dromara Football Club, where children's entertainment and a "charming artisan village" will be set up. Dundonald Saturday's event will be the first time in more than half a century that Dundonald has hosted a major Twelfth demonstration. It last hosted neighbouring north County Down lodges in 1967, when the old Polo Fields was the venue for the main gathering. The site is now used by Dundonald High School and the order said it was "delighted" that governors gave permission to hold Saturday's events in the school's grounds. The march, featuring 39 lodges and 28 bands, sets off from Dundonald High School at 12:15 BST, returning to the same site for speeches by about 14:00 BST. Dundrum More than 3,000 Orange Order members are expected to march through the village, leaving from the Belfast Road at noon towards the field at Ballyloughlin Road. They will be accompanied by 70 bands and organisers are encouraging local businesses to remain open to "benefit from the large crowd". Kilkeel A complimentary picnic served at the foot of the Mourne Mountains is on offer for those attending the Twelfth commemorations in food will be "generously provided by the lodges" according to the Orange Standard, which says more than 3,000 spectators are expected to line the streets. Marchers will assemble at Kilkeel Orange Hall for a 1.5 mile parade on the outskirts of Kilkeel, finishing at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Manse Road. County Fermanagh - Kesh parade The Grand Master of the Orange Order, Edward Stevenson, will spend his first Twelfth in County Fermanagh in the lakeside village of than 90 lodges will take part in the demonstration, some of them from neighbouring counties on the other side of the Irish border. The parade, featuring more than 70 bands, begins at noon on the Enniskillen Road and marches to Valley Park where children's entertainment will be available all day. County Londonderry - Coleraine parade Orange Order lodges from County Londonderry and County Donegal will gather in Coleraine for this year's Twelfth. An initial march sets out from Union Street at 09:30 BST on Saturday but the main parade begins from Shuttle Hill at will pause to the salute the town's war memorial in the Diamond before making their way to the demonstration field behind Coleraine Leisure Centre. Maghera The town of Maghera will welcome more than 50 lodges to its streets on Saturday - its first time hosting the demonstration since parade starts at noon, leaving from the junction of Station Road and Crew will make their way to the demonstration field provided by Maghera Presbyterian Church for speeches at 14:00 BST. County Tyrone - Augher parade Lodges from all over the Clogher Valley will converge on the village of Augher on Saturday for a "celebration of Orange heritage and community spirit". Organisers said the participation of junior lodges highlights the "intergenerational strength" of the order in the area. The parade begins on the Favour Royal Road at 12:15 BST, with a religious service in the field after 13:00 BST, followed by children's entertainment. Coagh The small village of Coagh will be home to the biggest Twelfth demonstration in County Tyrone on Saturday. About 70 lodges and 50 bands will set off from Ruskey Road at 12:30 BST, marching to the demonstration field at Drumconvis Road. After missing out on its turn to host the demonstration during the Covid pandemic, this is Coagh's first Twelfth demonstration in almost a decade. Sixmilecross About 60 lodges and bands are expected to parade through the village of Sixmilecross, which is hosting Orange Order members from north and west Tyrone. At 12:30 BST they will march from a field opposite Kerr Villas towards the demonstration field on the Tirooney Road. The organisers said the event will "showcase the rich tapestry of Ulster-Scots and Ulster-British connections with define the spirit and history of our Orange family".
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Learn how golfers showed iron will in wartime at new R&A exhibition
A fascinating new exhibition at The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews explores golf's surprising ties to warfare – from royal bans to battlefield rehab – revealing how centuries of global conflict are woven into the game's rich history Jokes are often made about the amount of time some golfers spend on the greens. For one Scottish king, however, the increasing popularity of the game was no joke as he felt his fighting men were neglecting their military skills. As a result, the game was banned in 1457 by King James II so that his men would instead hone their prowess on weapons like bows and arrows. (Image: 'Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict' highlights the links between golf and conflict) The royal ban on the game is just one of the fascinating facts revealed in a new exhibition in St Andrews, the home of golf. Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict shows how the links between golf and conflict go far back in history with the first recorded reference to golf being the 1457 ban. 'The reason for that was because Scotland and England were frequently at war during this time, and the King wanted to make sure his subjects were ready for battle,' explained Kieran George, a Curator at The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews. 'The ban was later reaffirmed throughout the 15th century, although there are also references to later kings playing the game as well. 'I don't think we will ever definitely know the answer to when golf started in Scotland but from that evidence it would appear golf had already been well established by at least 1457.' What is true is that golf's military connections continued over the centuries. The Society of St Andrews Golfers, which later became The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, was formed in 1754. Many of the members had a military background and played golf in jackets similar to their army apparel. Even today the captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club wears a ceremonial red jacket at official functions reminiscent of some of the army uniforms. One of the themes running through the exhibition is how golf has helped soldiers recover from wounds, both physical and mental. 'We have newsreel footage of golfers wounded in World War One playing the game, as well as golfers wounded in World War Two,' said Kieran. 'That story continues up to the present day with a soldier wounded in Afghanistan, who loaned a pin flag to the exhibition and who credits golf as playing a major part in his mental and physical recovery.' (Image: Black Watch hero Freddie Tait was one of the finest amateur golfers of his day) The footage was primarily shot at hospitals and nearby golf courses in the UK where wounded soldiers were recovering, and there are scenes of men who lost limbs continuing to play. The exhibition is being staged to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two and it covers golfers, both amateur and professional, male and female, who put their careers on hold to serve in the armed forces. One example is Freddie Tait, who served in the Black Watch and was one of the finest amateur golfers of his day, twice winning The Amateur Championship, in 1896 and 1898. 'He was quite a personality in golf but was unfortunately killed during the Boer War when he was only 30-years-old. He was mourned throughout the golfing world,' said Kieran. In World War One golfer Ernest Whitcombe was wounded by shrapnel in his eye, yet managed to resume his golfing career, winning the Irish, French and Dutch Opens, while 'The Silver Scot', Tommy Armour, was blinded by mustard gas but regained his sight and managed to win The Open at Carnoustie in 1931 despite metal plates in his head and his left arm as a result of his wartime injuries. Women, of course, also played a role. Doris Chambers, who captained The Curtis Cup side three times, risked her life by driving ambulances between field hospitals and the front line, and was mentioned in dispatches for bravery. Pam Barton, who won the Women's Amateur Championship in 1939, served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force but was killed in a plane crash in 1943 when she was still reigning champion. Today, a salver is presented in her memory at The Women's Amateur. Golf was also played by captured personnel in prisoner of war camps. Prisoners made golf balls from whatever material they could find, including the leather soles of shoes and woven cane. Golf clubs were also sent to the camps via the Red Cross, after a request from captured RAF Officer Pat Ward-Thomas, later a famous golf journalist. The exhibition also covers the impact of the war on the domestic game when championships like The Open were cancelled during both world wars. Some leading players played fundraising exhibition matches instead. They included Henry Cotton who raised over £70,000 for the Red Cross during World War Two – a vast amount at the time. The exhibition features artifacts, artwork, film footage and testimonies that shed light on the relationship between golf and conflict. It will run until March next year.
