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The Orange Order's most ambitious exhibition yet will be
open to the public at its headquarters in Belfast for the
next four months - and among the many exhibits is a collarette
worn by George Best.
'The Orange World - Beyond the Boyne' opens on Thursday,
July 9at 1pm, at Schomberg House on the Cregagh Road in Belfast
and runs until October.
The exhibition will tell the story of the Orange Institution
and follows the publication of Beyond The Banners, a history
of World Orangeism which is proving very successful.
Among the artefacts on display will be banners, regalia,
old photographs and documents from Orange lodges all around
the world.
Pride of place will be given to a collarette presented to
the Orange Order by George Best's family. As a young boy George
carried the strings of the banner for the local lodge in the
Cregagh area, while his father Dickie was worshipful master.
In his autobiography he recalls how important the Twelfth
was to his family.
It is believed George was a member of the Junior Orange Order.
Also on display will be the medal struck to commemorate The
Freedom of Castlereagh Borough which was bestowed on George.
The official documents for the commemoration and a special
evening to mark the occasion were signed by the legendary
footballer. They were bought at public auction by the Queen's
University Lodge, Rising Sons of William LOL 1845 and donated
to the exhibition.
The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the Imperial
Orange Council which meets in Belfast for a three day conference,
starting on Wednesday, July 15.
Almost 100 delegates from nine countries and four continents
will take part in the 43rd meeting of the Imperial Council,
which meets every three years and was last in Belfast in 1997.
Delegates will attend from England, Scotland, the United
States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Togo and Ghana.
The Imperial Orange Council is not a governing body, as it
does not make laws or rules for Orange Grand Lodges,, but
it does bring together the various jurisdictions in a spirit
of fraternity and fellowship.
The Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Robert
Saulters, is currently the Imperial President.
The organiser of the exhibition David Hume, Director of Services
for the Orange Order, is hopeful that it will be a big success.
"Obviously, we are delighted that the Imperial Grand
Council is being held in Belfast and this means that as well
as the delegates, their families will come to Northern Ireland
as well.
"The visitors will be here for the Twelfth parades on
Monday and some of them are also going to Rossnowlagh on the
Saturday.
"The exhibition will be a big draw and they should enjoy
seeing what we have on display. This is the most ambitious
exhibition we have ever mounted - an incredible amount of
research and work has gone into it and I believe that is reflected
on what people can see.
"We want members of the Orange Order to visit the exhibition
and enjoy it, but it is also open to the public and hopefully
when the new school term opens after the summer, young people
will come and see around it.
"We have found that schools are fascinated by our exhibitions
and this one will be no exception.
"Of course the collarette worn by George Best and the
other documents signed by him should be a major attraction.
We are deeply indebted to George's family for very kindly
making this presentation to the Order and there is no doubt
that it will create a lot of interest."
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