Ballycarry man launches Orange exhibition in London

A Ballycarry Orangeman has helped launch an exhibition at the Palace of Westminster to promote the Orange Order’s outreach programme.
(L-R) Ballycarry man and Orange Order Director of Services, Dr David Hume, Grand Secretary Drew Nelson, and Jeffrey Donaldson MP promoting the new Orange exhibition in London.  INLT 52-685-CON(L-R) Ballycarry man and Orange Order Director of Services, Dr David Hume, Grand Secretary Drew Nelson, and Jeffrey Donaldson MP promoting the new Orange exhibition in London.  INLT 52-685-CON
(L-R) Ballycarry man and Orange Order Director of Services, Dr David Hume, Grand Secretary Drew Nelson, and Jeffrey Donaldson MP promoting the new Orange exhibition in London. INLT 52-685-CON

Grand Lodge Director of Services, Dr David Hume, was joined by other Orange representatives at the London event, which was also attended by members of both the House of Commons and Lords.

The exhibition provides an opportunity for people to learn more about the REACH Project (Reaching out through Education and Cultural Heritage), which received £3.6 million from the EU’s PEACE III programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

It also promotes the upcoming opening of two new interpretative centres in Belfast and Loughgall in May 2015, which will provide a unique showcase of Orange history and culture.

A wealth of items and artefacts relating to the history of Orangeism across the world will go on public display as part of the extension of the Institution’s Belfast headquarters.

The expansion will also incorporate a research facility and educational resource, with particular access for school and cross-community visits.

In a joint initiative to promote shared space and great levels of reconciliation, improvement works are also taking place to refurbish and extend Sloan’s House in Co Armagh.

Dr Hume said the Westminster launch provided a “major opportunity” for the Institution to outline its “excellent outreach work” to public representatives across the UK and other key figures, ahead of the opening of both Orange museums next spring.

He added: “The REACH initiative is unprecedented in terms of the outreach which is being and will be undertaken by the Orange Institution.

“We received Peace III funding because of the commitment of the Order to outreach to the wider community, particularly the nationalist community, and to engage in presenting our tradition and culture to them. Education and mutual respect are essential in our society as we move towards the future and this project is committed to those two principles.

“The opening of two new interpretive centres next year will provide unique facilities for visitors to come and learn more about the Orange tradition in Ireland and throughout the world. The Orange Institution has an outstanding collection of artefacts and documents which tell that story and for the first time they will be displayed in museum conditions.

“The outreach which will accompany the new interpretive centres has already begun and our museum officer has visited a number of schools.”

The senior Orangeman concluded: “We welcome the opportunity to bring the details of this unique project to opinion formers in London and are very grateful to MP Jeffrey Donaldson who has sponsored this exhibition in the House of Commons.”

Related topics: