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Towards a Happier Twelfth of July
After a report on the state of Windsor Park (which I'll discuss at a later date), tonight's BBC Newsline (watch from about 11:10 in) focused on the twelfth celebrations and attempts being made to broaden their appeal. It seems there are a number of groups trying to make the celebrations more inclusive this year. The moves are long-overdue in my opinion but welcome nonetheless.
Bonfires
As far as bonfires go (with particular reference to worries over the toxic smoke emitted when tyres are burned) a Fire and Rescue officer said that the number of tyres at bonfires in Belfast this year had been greatly reduced. Following concerns over this year's bonfire at Ballycraigy estate in Antrim, Councillor Drew Ritchie has also promised that the council's bonfire committee would work to ensure next year's bonfire would be tyre-free.
Parades
Tonight's Newsline featured a group of people in east Belfast handing out leaflets asking spectators, particularly younger ones, at the mini-twelfth last week to remember what the parade was marking (the sacrifice made by Ulster soldiers at the Somme) and refrain from drinking to excess. They rightfully pointed out that this is more than a tad disrespectful to those that were being remembered as well as putting off people from bringing their families to parades (thus disenfranchising large numbers of people from their own culture). Many other spectators seemed to agree that while they could enjoy a few drinks, anti-social behaviour and young people staggering around completely oblivious to their surroundings did nobody any favours and turned people off attending.
Sectarianism
Both bonfires and on occasion the marches themselves have left themselves open to accusations of supporting terrorist organisations. A couple of years ago, for example, a UVF "show of strength" at a bonfire in Belfast put funding, ring-fenced to improve bonfires, in jeopardy. This is something nobody needs. I haven't been to a bonfire myself in years and paramilitary presence is probably the main reason for this. I don't wish to be confused for someone who supports sectarian violence. If it puts me off, imagine how many parents would be put off taking their children.
Winning Support
Many people close to the twelfth are understandably sceptical about criticisms of the celebrations given that they've been under constant attack from opponents who would rather see them destroyed than improved, but I feel that simple steps like this will help broaden the appeal of the twelfth to a wider audience. As a celebration of Protestant and British history, they may not win cross-community support but that doesn't mean there's nothing to gain - like support those in the nominally "Protestant community" who tend to try and escape, rather than embrace, the twelfth and the trouble that became associated with it over the last 10-15 years.
Finally, I hope that everyone has an enjoyable day tomorrow (and that the rain holds off!).