Orangemen from Co. Down are planning to carry
a lambeg drum to the top of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in
the United Kingdom.
Members of Banbridge Bible and Crown Defenders
L.O.L. 423 have already taken a lambeg drum to the top of
Slieve Donard.
They raised £4,300 for the Orange Order
Ghana fund through sponsorship. The Order has members in Ghana
and the money will be spent supporting their work in the African
country.
"About 30 of us took it in turns to carry
the drum to the top of Slieve Donard in June last year,"
explained Worshipful Master David Watson.
"It was primarily a fund raising project
but there was a lot of fun included as well. It was amazing
to stand at the top of the mountain and beat the drum. Practically
everyone who made the climb wanted to finish off by playing
the lambeg.
Orangemen belonging to Sons of Conquerers L.O.L.
162 from Glasgow have strong links with their brethren in
Co.Down and four of them came over for the Slieve Donard adventure.
"Our Scottish friends suggested we go to
the top of Ben Nevis and we thought why not. The drum is about
two stone in weight and we have designed a special stretcher
to carry it to the top. It will be fairly tough work and we
are already in training. The important thing is that we will
be raising money for such a worthy cause as the Northern Ireland
Cancer Fund For Children. As well as raising money for Ghana
this year, we also raised £1800 for Cancer Research
Northern Ireland through the annual relay for life held in
Banbridge Rugby Club.
"We are going up Ben Nevis on Saturday,
May 31 and if that is a success, who knows where we will end
up next."
|
