The details have been revealed for the annual traditional Orange Lodge Parades in Southport and Liverpool.
The main parade will take place on Wednesday 12th July 2023 with nearly 70 Lodges from all over the UK taking part and around 4,000 visitors expected.
For the first time in many years the parade will be led by a traditional pipe band in full highland dress.
A new initiative will see minibuses used within the ranks of the parade, to allow elderly and disabled members to take a full and active part.
Liverpool Provincial Grand Orange Lodge Provincial Grand Secretary Paul Taylor said: “This will be held to commemorate the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne that took place in 1690.
“This year nearly 70 Lodges, including some Orange bands – accordion and concertina bands – along with our juniors will take part in the parade.
“Many of the children will be dressed up as King William and Queen Mary.
“The Provincial King Queen and Bible Carrier are made up of young children from No 5 Enniskillen District who have been preparing for this for over 12 months.
“For the first time in many years the parade will be led by a traditional pipe band with members from the Everton and District Pipe band in full highland dress, commenting that they are proud to lead the Orange parade this year.
“This year minibuses will be driven within the ranks of the parade.
“This is to allow our elderly members or members unable to walk to take a full and active part in the parade.
“Some of these members have over 60 years service to the Institution in Liverpool, and it was only right that they are given the opportunity to be part of the parade once again.
“This is the first time in 71 years that the 12th July parades will take place with a King as the Monarch, and special badges have been commissioned to celebrate the King’s Coronation that took place in May.
“Orange parades will take place in Liverpool, Dingle, and Southport. The main parades will move off from Netherfield Road and Corn Street in the Dingle around 9am on Wednesday morning 12th July.
“The parades will make their way to Liverpool city centre and meet around the vicinity of Lime Street to board buses to Southport.
“The parade will form up on London Street Southport approximately 11.15 am.
“When the parade arrives in Southport, as per previous years, Liverpool members will be joined by members from all over England including Bootle, Manchester, Sunderland, London, Corby, Birmingham, Sussex and many more cities. Senior Officers from Scotland and Northern Ireland will join the parade to celebrate the day.
“Approximately 3,000-4,000 people will be on the streets of Southport during the parade.
“This is always a carnival atmosphere enjoyed by all who make their way to watch it.
“The parade will continue through to the Princes Park field where members will take part in various activities both on the park all around Southport to enjoy the day of celebration.
“Members will walk back through Southport at 4.45pm.
“The parade will again proceed from Pall Mall through the city of Liverpool around 7pm supported by expected large crowds watching the parade along the route back to Everton Road and the Dingle.
“There may be some traffic disruption during the morning and evening in the city centre of Liverpool and Southport.”
Preceding the main parade event, Sunday 9th July will see an Annual July celebration parade taking place by members of the Loyal Orange Institution of England and Liverpool Provincial Grand Lodge.
This year the entire Province including adults, juniors and bands look forward to attending the parade and service at our new venue of the Liner Hotel Liverpool City Centre. During the service long serving awards will be presented to members.
The parades will move off at 1.25 pm from various points across Liverpool including Netherfield Road and in the Dingle
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