RECONNECT Launch

 

PROJECT LAUNCH

EAST BELFAST AUGUST 2019 A heritage project rediscovering the rich roots, the historic role and the lasting relevance of Independent Orangeism in Belfast by reconnecting with former members and families.

1. ABOUT THE EVENT 1. 2. ABOUT THE LAUNCH Welcome to the launch of the RECONNECT heritage project which aims to locate, and liaise with former members of the Independent Orange Institution (ILOI) and their families and followers in Belfast to collect and collate an oral history and archive of material to tell the story of this unique working class urban organisation through innovative modern means.

The I.L.O.I. has recognised the need and the urgency of reaching out to former members, their families and followers in Belfast where it was once a formidable force in working class areas. We are also aware of the difficulties given the passage of time and the age of many who would once have been involved.

The aim is to reconnect with former members and recognise their service and provide an opportunity for them to become involved in the project and the wider life of the Institution. In particular given the age of those former members there are welfare concerns and the project would also offer advice, and practical welfare support as well as an opportunity to reminisce and recollect the history of the Order.

The Institution recognises that they also hold a valuable oral history of the Institution in Belfast where it has in its original form become extinct. We also aim to collect artifacts and produce a history of Independent Orangism in Belfast and its legacy.

The ILOI was a unique cultural, political and social movement in Belfast and understanding it from a grassroots perspective will help us understand working class Belfast, its mind, motivations and means of expressing itself.

Independent Orange Order Twelfth Parade Shaftesbury Square, Belfast

GET INVOLVED WITH OUR GROUND BREAKING COMMUNITY HERITAGE PROJECT Welcome to our launch today and we hope that it

you our your family have any memories of the ILOI

will inspire you to follow the progress of the project

in Belfast then speak to a member of the project

and to get involved as a volunteer or participant. If

team today or on 07740286669.

2. 2. IDEA, MISSION & VISION 

Idea

A heritage project based on locating, and liaising with former members of the Independent Orange Institution (ILOI) and their families and followers in Belfast to collect and collate an oral history and archive of material to tell the story of this unique working class urban organisation through innovative modern means.

Vision

To Capture, Collate and Conserve the history and heritage of Independent Orangeism in Belfast through an oral history and artifacts collection A heritage project rediscovering the rich roots, the historic role and the lasting relevance of Independent Orangeism in Belfast by

with former members and families.It will endeavor to Mission reconnecting locate and liaise with former members of the Independent Orange Institution (ILOI) and their families and followers in Belfast to collect and collate an oral history and archive of material to tell the story of this unique working class urban organisation through innovative

Speakers

modern means.

JAMES ANDERSON IGM Imperial Grand Master of the ILOI,

MEYVYN STOREY MLA DIGM Deputy IGM, former Minister

REV. MERVYN GIBSON Minister of Westbourne Presbyterian

and member of organizing

for Social Development.

Church grand and secretary of the

committee.

WALLACE THOMPSON

Worshipful Master of Pride of Ballymacarett Purple

Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

BILL PARTRIDGE

Chairman of Portadown Heritage

Start ILOI No 6 former special Ministerial adviser; Tours, and leading expert in Orange Cultural Heritage and Military secretary Evangelical Protestant Society, editor of the Ulster Bulwark; Clerk of Session Knock EPC; Chairman of the Caleb Foundation.

Historian.

WILLIAM WILKINSON LEXXER Solutions lead consultant on the RECONNECT Project.

3. LAUNCH EVENTS A FULL DAY TO REINTRODUCE THE ILOI TO THE HEART OF BELFAST PEACE CELEBRATION PARADE

For the first time in over a 40 years the ILOI have been involved in organising a parade in East Belfast which was once one of their heartlands in East Belfast. As part of the Unionist Centenary Committee they have helped organise a parade to mark the Centenary of the end of the Great War. The parade route runs from near where the last Independent Orange Hall at Knocknagoney was situated to the location of the Dee Street Hall where ILOI District No.3 met. A visit to Craigavon House and an act of commemoration and wreath laying will mark the start of the day.

PROJECT LAUNCH The RECONNECT Project will be formally publicly launched in Dee Street at the spot where the ILOI Orange Hall once stood. In a symbolic act of reconnection shared by members of the other Loyal Orders Garryduff Independent Orange band will play a short recital and the ILOI Imperial Grand Master will speak with a welcome back from members of the local Orange Order given by Rev. Mervyn Gibson.

FAMILY FUN DAY For the families and friends who have travelled to the event there will be a chance to soak up the festival atmosphere at the Eastside Arts Festival. Families are invited to come and join the party at the annual Festival Fun Day where there will be a host of activities for all agesCraft Workshops; Family treasure hunt; Drumming Circle & community games; Performance by Luminous Soul and Live music

LAUNCH LUNCH The Launch will move indoors with a number of short presentations on Orange Heritage and its benefits, The history of Independent Orangeism in Belfast and an introduction to the RECONNECT Project. The audience will enjoy lunch and afterwards will be included in a social event and fundraiser with live music and a chance to experience a Belfast Orange community event.

Public Project Launch Dees Street site of former ILOI Hall

Eastside Arts Festival Family Fun Day

Launch Lunch Peppercorn Cafe Woodstock Road

PROJECT FUNDED BY

Visit and Act of Commemoration at Craigavon House Parade from Cairnburn Road to Dee Street 10.30