The annual Orange Lodge Parade returns to Southport this Tuesday (12th July 2022).
It is the first time the march has taken place in Southport since 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
This summer’s parades, which sees Lodges from across the UK to take part, will start at 8.30am in Liverpool from Netherfield Road, and Mill Street Liverpool, to the vicinity of St George’s Hall, then at around 10.30am from London Street, Southport. They then march from London Street, across Lord Street and onto Nevill Street, then along the Promenade towards Princes Park.
Lodge members and their supporters then enjoy a day out in Southport before reforming and travelling back towards Liverpool.
Return parades, following the same route, then commence around 5pm from Princes Park, Southport, then 7.15pm approximately from Pall Mall Liverpool.
The event is organised by the Liverpool Provincial Grand Lodge.
The Orange Lodge Parade is a Protestant celebration, which takes its name from the Protestant King William of Orange, who defeated the Catholic King James II in the Williamite-Jacobite War (1688-1691). The order is best known for its annual marches, the biggest of which are held on or around 12th July, a public holiday in Northern Ireland.
Marchers display their Lodge flags during the event, dressed in their respective Lodge uniforms, with music performed by pipe bands.
Provincial Grand Master Steve Kingston said: “It will be a great pleasure to return to the streets of both Liverpool and Southport, to once again celebrate King William’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, and the freedoms secured for us during his reign.”
Parade organisers say the march brings thousands of visitors into Southport town centre every year, providing a substantial boost for a number of local businesses.
Mr Kingston said: “I hope that all who witness our parades will have an enjoyable time, watching young and old alike, maintaining our traditional parades which have been held for more than 200 years by Merseyside Lodges.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
