The Orange Order is stepping out at the Royal
Ulster Agricultural Show at Balmoral, next week.
It will be the first time in the history of
the show that Orangemen will be there to display the history
and culture of the Institution.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland stand will include
a display of banner painting from William Magowan, of Garvagh,
who was one of the major successes when the Order attended
last year's Smithsonian Festival in Washington. His display
attracted thousands of visitors during the festival.
There will also be Orange Order merchandise
on sale, including items involving Diamond Dan, the new Orange
hero for young people. Copies of the Williamite Trail , a
tourist map unveiled by the Order last week, will also be
available. A special edition of the Orange Standard - with
an agricultural flavour - has been printed for the show.
The Orange presence at Balmoral is the brainchild
of Education Officer David Scott.
"I think this is an excellent chance to
meet the public and explain about the Orange tradition and
culture," he said.
"I am greatly encouraged by visits to schools
and community groups across Northern Ireland that there is
a thirst for knowledge about the Institution. We hope that
our presence at Balmoral will give thousands of people the
chance to meet us and chat with our representatives about
the Order and its traditions.
Display panels at the stand will include one
on the Williamite Trail and another on the Institution past
and present.
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