Limavady District LOL No. 6
Awards 2010
Media Pack
PRESS RELEASE
Embargoed until 19th April 2010
Limavady District LOL No.6 proudly presents its first ever annual awards night. Held on Saturday 24th April 2010 Lodges and members have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the inaugural winners for several months.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has for a number of years hosted their own Awards Night; however, Limavady is the first District in the Institution to organize their own. The night will showcase the exceptional talents and efforts of members of the Institution in the Roe Valley and will celebrate and award their excellence not only in the Lodge Room but also in the wider community.
Ten award categories will be presented on the night together with two specially commission medals; Fifty Year Service medal of which over 120 will be presented and Exceptional Service medal of which 21 will be presented. A special Awards Judging Panel sat in January to decide Nominations and Winners. The three judges were the Deputy County Master of Londonderry George Duddy, , DUP MLA and Alderman George Robinson MLA and Alderman Jack Rankin of the UUP.
A full program of entertainment has been planned for the night which will begin at 7.00pm at Christ Church Parish Hall, Limavady. Performances will take place by The Trench Memorial Band, Bellarena Accordion and Dungiven Flute Band along with the District men’s choir. This will be an enjoyable evening for all celebrating Orangeism in Limavady District since 1811.
ENDS
AWARD CATEGORIES
LODGE AWARD CATEGORIES
· Largest membership increase Award
· Best Charity Fund Raising Lodge
· Best kept Orange Hall
· Lodge of the Year Award
INDIVIDUAL MERIT CATEGORIES
· Community involvement Award
· Orange Businessman of the Year
· Young Orangeman of the Year
· Orangeman of the Year
· The Massey memorial Award for Excellence (two winners in 2010)
· Lifetime commitment to Orangeism Award
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LIMAVADY DISTRICT
Orangeism spread to the Roe Valley area around 1799 with Lodges starting right across Limavady. However it wasn’t until 1811 that the Lodges formed into what we know today as Limavady District Orange Lodge.
In the beginning, Limavady District was one of smaller Districts within the County of Londonderry. However over the years this was to change and in recent years Limavady District has been able to boast that it is the largest in the County both in terms of membership and in Lodges. The District now has 15 private lodges with almost 700 members within its ranks. It can be said that the Limavady District Orange Lodge is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, community group in the area. There are currently 11 Orange Halls running daily services for the local community.
Limavady District has a rich and proud history; a former Prime Minister of New Zealand came from Limavady, William Ferguson Massey. The membership of Limavady has also provided many of the high positions of the Orange Institution and in the wider community. The Orange Order in Limavady District can be proud of its contribution not only to the Orange Institution but to Limavady Borough and indeed
Northern Ireland.
SHORTLISTS
LARGEST MEMBERSHIP INCREASE AWARD
Presented to the Lodge with the greatest increase in membership in the past year.
All Lodges are automatically entered for this category. Records are taken from Annual Returns and figures calculated by the District Secretary and forwarded to the Adjudication Panel.
2010 Shortlisted Lodges:
Ballykelly LOL 699
Ballynarrig Bible & Crown Defenders LOL 650
Myroe True Blues LOL 259
BEST CHARITY FUNDRAISING LODGE
Presented to the Lodge who has raised the most for all charities throughout 2009.
Lodges provide full details of all charity fundraising event(s) held, the amount(s) raised and the charity(s) the money was presented to including details of efforts in raising funds for the Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orange Orphan Society and any Church Services or other collections.
2010 Shortlisted Lodges:
Dungiven Faith & Crown Defenders LOL 2036
Ardinariff Orange Heroes LOL 905
Largy Sons of William LOL 988
BEST KEPT ORANGE HALL AWARD
Presented to the best-kept Orange Hall in the District.
Adjudicators observe each Orange Hall in the District in the week prior to the 12th of July. Each assessor awards Halls points on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being the highest and one the lowest. Points will be awarded on the overall appearance and cleanliness of the Hall and its immediate surroundings. All Lodges with Orange Halls will be entered into this category. In the case of a Hall were two or more Lodges meet, the owning Lodge will be entered together.
2010 Shortlisted Lodges:
Boveva Purple Star LOL 260
Edenmore True Blues LOL 644
Ardinariff Orange Heroes LOL 905
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD
Presented to the Orangeman who has contributed most to the local community in the past year. Private Lodges or individual members nominate Orangemen who have been pro-active within the community in the last year. Consideration is given to what the nominee has done for his local community and how that community has benefited from his work.
Pen-pictures of the 2010 Shortlisted Members:
Ernest Norris, Roe Valley Ex-Servicemen’s LOL 997
Bro. Norris is a Past Master and current Deputy Master and Lecturer of his Private Lodge. He has also served in the Offices of Chaplain and Secretary and is currently a Trustee of Limavady Orange Hall. He was District Secretary of Limavady District LOL No.6 in the 1980s. Currently Secretary of the Committee of his local Church he is also a member of the choir and a Past Chairman and President of Limavady Royal British Legion. He previously served with the Ulster Defence Regiment, before becoming involved in education as a teacher at Limavady High School. His current ‘employment’ is as a driver for the elderly at Cornfields Residential Home. He is seen as a great example and encouragement to the younger members of his Private Lodge.
Lyle Quigley, Ardinariff Orange Heroes LOL 905
Bro. Quigley is a Past Master of his own Private Lodge also having served as Deputy Master, Secretary and Treasurer. He is also a Past District Master of Limavady District LOL No.6. He is heavily involved in the Roe valley Credit Union, having been a founder member, he is now a Teller and Secretary. He is also Treasurer of Ardinariff Historical & Cultural Society, a local community group that holds recreational and educational classes for the residents of Ardinarrif and Burnfoot. In this role he is responsible for ensuring funding is secured for all projects run. He is also a member of Burnfoot Community Association. He also acts as ‘caretaker’ and ‘groundsman’ of Ardinarrif Orange hall.
Samuel McGregor, Aghanloo True Blues LOL 656
Bro. McGregor is best known for his former employment with Limavady Borough Council as Director of Leisure & Tourism. He is currently Secretary of his Private Lodge but also spends much of his time working for various local groups and Advisory bodies. Listed among his many roles are: Member of the Council for Nature Conservation & the Countryside, Board Member of NI Events Co., Member of the Board of Governors at a local Primary School and Member of Limavady Sports Council. He holds a city & Guilds of the London Institute and was involved with Limavady Borough Council from 1974 to 2005. He is heavily involved in his local Church.
ORANGE BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
Presented to one of the many members involved in the local or wider business community. Private Lodges or individual members nominate Orangemen who are also members of the local business community. Details of why the person nominating thinks the businessman is fitting of this Award are included. Nominations show what business the nominee runs or has run in the past, how long he has been in business and any other details of how the business has in the past, or currently assists, improves or helps the local community.
Pen-pictures of the 2010 Shortlisted Members:
William Robinson, Boveva Purple Star LOL 260
Robinson Funeral Directors, Ballyquin Road, Limavady
Bro. Robinson held the Office of Treasurer in his Private Lodge in the 1980s. He has also been a member of Boveva Flute Band. Now focusing on his business, he owns Robinson Funeral Directors, having previously worked with Leslie Lyndsay who owned Lyndsay Funeral Directors; he purchased the company from Mr Lyndsay approximately 5 years ago. he runs his business ensuring people get the service they ask for. He always has a real concern for those he works with as he wants them to feel at ease and he tries in some way to make things that little bit easier for them to cope with the loss of their loved one. At present Mr Robinson supports the Institution by attending his local Orange Service in July and regularly advertises and sponsors various events held within the local community. He was previously a farmer before taking over the business.
David Brewster llb, Aghanloo True Blues LOL 656
D R Brewster Solicitors, Main Street, Limavady
Bro. Brewster is a Past Deputy Master and current Lay Chaplain of his Private Lodge and is a Trustee of Aghanloo Orange Hall. He is Legal Advisor County and Grand Lodge and is an Honorary Deputy Grand Master of Ireland. D R Brewster Solicitors has been practising for over 15 years in Limavady and is now a firmly established Solicitor’s Office in the area. While some who rise to the level Bro. Brewster has in their profession would shun their Orange roots, David has been careful not only to maintain, but to seek to strengthen those very roots he came from. He has assisted Limavady District in bringing the Ulster-Scots culture to the area. He facilitated an Audit of Orange Halls in Limavady District, with a subsequent Community Empowerment scheme running for interested parties. This has helped several new Community Groups to be formed throughout Limavady District area. He supported the Massey Festival and has always been keen to promote the Orange cause.
Young Orangeman of the Year
Presented to the Young Orangeman who has contributed most to the Orange family and his local community over the course of the last year. Private Lodges nominate the Young Orangeman who they feel has shown exceptional dedication and has given outstanding service to Orangeism and his local community in the last year. Details are given on what the nominee has done and how people or organisations have benefited from his work with details on what the nominee has achieved and any Awards won throughout the year. AGE: 17 to 30 years.
Pen-pictures of the 2010 Shortlisted Members:
Aaron Callan, Bellarena Faith Defenders LOL 984
Bro. Callan has risen quickly to Office in his Private Lodge, attaining the Office of Deputy Master in the last few months. He is also District Tyler and is PR Officer for the Annual Awards. He is currently studying towards a Master in Peace & Conflict Studies after completing a BA Hons in History. In his Gap Year he is employed by the NICS working in Londonderry. He is a keen historian and has carried out research into the history of Tamlaghtard in his native Magillgan area. He is currently working on building a Website for Limavady District Lodge.
David Murphy, Boveva Purple Star LOL 260
Bro. Murphy has just recently been married to Elizabeth and has moved to her home town of Lisburn. However he was previously Treasurer of his Private Lodge as well as Treasurer of Limavady District LOL. He has also been a District Youth Rep and an Organiser for the District Twelfth Committee in which he was Editor of the official Twelfth Programme. Heavily involved in his Church work, David was previously one of the youngest Presbyterian Elders ever but has just taken up a position with Belfast City Mission at Glencairn. BB and CEF have also been some of David’s Christian works. Before moving away he was also instrumental in setting up the District Choir.
Jonathan Holmes, Ballynarrig Bible & Crown Defenders LOL 650
Bro. Holmes has held Office in his Private Lodge to the level of Deputy Master. He currently holds the Offices of District Secretary and PR Officer for Limavady District Lodge. He is a founder member of Limavady District Marshals Club and he has played a vital role in parades for various marching organisations in recent years. He has previously been a District Youth Rep and was involved in Ballynarrig Junior LOL. Last year his greatest triumph was securing a visit to Limavady by the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand Officers who were in Northern Ireland for the Imperial Orange Council Conference in July. He is also involved in his local Church and runs a badminton Club and is District Registrar of Limavady District RAPC.
Orangeman of the Year
Presented to the Orangeman who has contributed most to the Orange family and his local community in the last year. Private Lodges nominate the Orangeman who they feel has shown exceptional dedication and has given outstanding service to Orangeism and his local community in the last year. Details are given on what the nominee has done and how people or organisations have benefited from his work. Further details are given on what the nominee has achieved and any Awards won throughout the year. AGE: Over 30 years.