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Happy 12th July
Sounds a bit odd to actually say "Happy 12th July" but I really couldn't say it any other way. The only time I can remember the day actually having a name was in a calendar in my mum's house when it was called Orangemen's Day, which I wasn't fussed on so "the 12th" it is.
Anyway, I took a jaunt up the road earlier to see some of the parade; it's a beautiful day after all and I haven't actually watched the bands in years. I noticed one asshole in a UFF t-shirt (tasteful, eh?) and was a bit disturbed by some clampet in a Linfield top, but tried not to let that put me off.
Aside from feeling very sorry for the marchers, particularly the ones in black or navy uniforms (I was sweating in just a t-shirt and jeans). They had to stop every now and again presumably because the heat was just so much - the ice-cream van beside me seemed to be doing a good trade though.
Everything was very colourful, especially the Scottish bands. I didn't see the Alabama Lodge, although I missed the start (I was just up and still eating breakfast when I heard the first flutes and drums).
The fact that there were one or two young men hanging about clearly drunk (and this was only lunch time) doesn't aid the enjoyment. A pint or two's one thing - if you can handle it - but being wasted as 12:30's a bit over the top. None of the blokes I saw seemed threatening though and the atmosphere was fairly relaxed.
A horse, which I can only assume is Protestant, pulling a cart decorated with flags (Canada and Scotland amongst others) in the Orange march
According to the news the field at Lisburn (the destination of the main parade) was due to have all sorts of 'entertainment' scheduled, with less time spent on the religious service and Order resolutions this year, in an effort to make the day more family-oriented. There were certainly a lot of children involved in the marches. A lot of the flags and smaller banners were being carried by young ladies and there were kids from as young as 10 or so twirling their batons in the air - it's amazing how good they can be at such a young age!
I really hope the whole "family day out" angle takes off because I'm still a bit disturbed by some of the aspects of the day, particularly that the UVF/YCV bands I saw may be glorifying the paramilitaries. I'd also imagine that there have to be better tunes than the Billy Boys - I'm definitely not happy with the idea of being up to my neck in fenian blood.
All in all though it was a nice day and I'm glad I let my curiosity lead me up to watch. It was nearly worth it alone just to see the black taxi sporting a photograph of Gerry Adams in an Orange Sash - classic stuff! That said I don't think I'd particularly try and persuade any Catholic friends to go along unless they really wanted to see what all the fuss was about.