"A History of Orangeism in the Glenavy District"
The following is an extract taken from "A History of Orangeism in the Glenavy District – A Tercentenary Booklet 1690 – 1990" with the kind permission of the officers and Brethren in Glenavy District.
Rose of Sharon L.O.L. 471 "The Wee Rose"
In the year 1798 a warrant was issued in Dublin to a newly formed Orange Lodge. The Worshipful Master was Brother J. Gibson of the Adjutants Office in Dublin. The Lodge met at Barrack Street and had 57 members on its books. The lodge number was 471.
On the 17th day of November 1829 this number was issued on a warrant to a new lodge in the Glenavy District. Brother Thomas Gibson was the Worshipful Master. L.O.L. 471 in Glenavy District was born.
During the early years the lodge met in Glenavy and not as it does now, in Crumlin. In 1856 Brother Daniel Allen was elected Worshipful Master and remained so for thirty years until 1888.
Most of the members came from a working class background, either working in the Ulster Woollen mills or on the Pakenham estate at Langford Lodge.
Brother Thomas Williamson was elected worshipful Master in 1897 and served the lodge faithfully for many years. He died in January 1921, still Worshipful Master (24 years). As a mark of respect, the brethren arranged an Orange funeral with the permission of the family. The chief mourners were Joseph Williamson, Matthew Williamson, Alexander Williamson, Lewis Williamson, Thomas Henry Williamson (brothers) and a large body of friends and relations. The remains were carried from his late residence by the Orange Brethren to Crumlin Presbyterian Churchyard. The banner of the lodge and his sash were draped over the coffin. Colonel H.A. Pakenham C.B. and Dr. Mussen County grand Secretary were also in attendance.
During the early years of the 1900’s the lodge met in a room belonging to a Mr. Robert Wilson in Upper Main Street, Crumlin. Rent paid per year was a mere 10 shillings. A new Memorial Orange Hall was built and opened on the 9th April 1928. This was to the memory of L.O.L. 471 brethren who, along with those from her sister lodge 314, gave their lives in the great war 1914 – 1918.
The lodge continued to prosper in the 1930’s with 70 or 80 members on its books. In 1932 it was decided to change the lodge night from the last Saturday of each month to the first Friday. The officers always made every effort to attend the District meeting, and sometimes even hired a car to be sure to be kept up to date with things in the district.
In 1936 after the Twelfth it was decided to purchase a new banner, as the old one was showing signs of wear. A levy of 10 shillings a man was proposed to go towards the banner fund. Then in April 1937, owing to the death of a good friend and District Master, Worshipful Brother Colonel H. A. Pakenham, it was decided to have a small portrait of him added to the new banner with the permission of his family. Permission granted, the new banner was unfurled on Friday 2nd July 1937 and its first Twelfth outing was to Hillsborough.
During the war years 1939 – 1945 the lodge met in the Worshipful Masters house or in the courthouse, now Grants shop, as the hall was taken over by military forces and those members of the lodge who were serving in the forces were exempt from paying dues. The in January 1945 the lodge night was changed to its present night of the second Thursday of each month. After these meetings most of the brethren stayed behind for a bit of supper and a few old stories.
The lodge continued to do well during the 1950’s – 1960’s with around 60 – 70 on the books. Then in the mid 1970’s it was decided to take a firmer stand with members in arrears of 2 years or more dues. Between suspensions and being struck off the roll for various reasons, and older brethren passing on, the number of members on the books fell to around 40, and only a few members were admitted to the books.
In 1981 the lodge decided to purchase a new banner, the present one being unfurled in 1937. It was decided that a levy of £2 a month be placed on the members over an 18 month period. After all the preparations the banner was unfurled on Friday 1st July 1983.
1987 was the year the lodge celebrated its Centenary, or so we thought the present warrant being dated the 23rd April 1887, but as I visited the House of Orange in Belfast to research for this article, I discovered that this warrant was just a newly issued one for the lodge, which as you have read is much older.
Anyway back to 1987 when we held a Centenary Dinner and Dance in Crumlin Memorial Hall on Friday 24th April 1987. Also to mark this occasion centenary ties were ordered and purchased by members. The dinner was attended by members and their wives as well as District Officers and members of L.O.L. 314 and their wives. A great night was had by all who attended. Toasts were made to the Queen, Glenavy District and the lodge. On Sunday 26th April the lodge held a Centenary service and parade to Gartree Church at Langford Lodge. A large number of lodge members turned out, visiting brethren and District Officers. The parade was led by Pakenham Silver Band, L.O.L. 417 and their banner, District Officers and visiting brethren. The service was conducted by Canon J. Musgrave, Rector of Gartree.
Now we have arrived at 1990, 300 years after our glorious victory at the Boyne. The lodge, now in its 160th year in Glenavy District, has only 37 members on their books. We are only a small lodge now, but it is not the quantity of the members that is important.
Sweet rose of Sharon
Blooming for me
Jesus it is the emblem of Thee
Beautiful flower, fairest that grows
I’m glad I found Thee
Sweet Sharon’s rose.May the Wee Rose continue to blossom for many year to come here in Crumlin.
Further to this history published above the lodge submitted a history for publication in "The Faithful and True – a History of Orangeism in County Antrim."
In 1997 sadness once again has hit the Lodge hard with history repeating itself with the death of our W.M., Bro. Wm. Lindsay. Billy, a true and loyal member for many years, was interred in Ballinderry after an orange funeral attended by a large crowd of District Officers, Brethren within the District and many friends and relatives.
Prisoners of War
The following is an extract from The Lisburn Standard Saturday August 12, 1916.
Casulty List
Private J. Hamill, R.I.R. (Crumlin) wounded.Prisoners of War
Mrs George Beattie, jun, has received information that her husband has been wounded and is now a prisoner of war in Germany. Before he joined the Army, Beattie was employed as a butler by Col. McClintock, of Glendarragh, and since he joined was a servant to Captain C.C. Craig, M.P. He is a member of LOL 471.
12th Night Dance
The following is an extract dated 9th July 1960 and is reproduced with permission from the Ulster Star.
Crumlin Rose of Sharon
L.O.L. 47112th Night Dance
In memorial Orange Hall
Dancing 9 – 2Music by The Hilltoppers
Admission 3s
God Save the Queen
Grand Hallowe’en Dance
Extract reproduced by permission of The Ulster Star.
Crumlin Rose of Sharon
LOL 471Ladies Committee
Grand Hallowe’en Dance
In Memorial Orange Hall
On Friday 28th October, 1960
Music by The Hilltoppers
Dancing 9 to 2
Admission 4sGod Save The Queen.
History of Banding in Crumlin since 1890
History of Banding in Crumlin in 1890
The village of Crumlin for over the past 86 years has reverberated to the Music of Flute, Accordion, and Silver. Friday 24th September, 1976, heralds a year of nostalgia to members of Pakenham Memorial Silver Band Crumlin, rewarding their efforts in attaining their Silver Jubilee.
Crumlin can proudly look back to around the year 1890 when first a group of young men gathered at Nixon’s General Store and Hardware shop, now the Ulster Bank Ltd. It was there the foundation of bandsmanship in the village was born.