Glenavy L.O.L. 124 – Crewe

“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.

This warrant is the oldest in Glenavy District as it was taken out by Brother J. McNeice in 1798 and is still working. A small hall was built in 1814 through the efforts of Brother Joe Neill and Brother Henry Ballance and was secured to Glenavy Parish Church. The lodge kept the hall in good condition but did not have to pay rent and rates.

The Lodge thrived well and soon the hall became too small for the numbers attending the socials etc., so the members decided to enlarge it if the owners of the land would sell a piece of land for the purpose. At the lodge meeting Brothers H. Lewis and J. Kennedy were appointed to see the owner, a Mr. O’Brian about the matter and later reported that their efforts were fruitless.

The same two Brethren were appointed to approach Brother W. Reid for a piece of land across the road, and on returning reported that Brother Reid had given all the land required, and that it would cost the lodge nothing.

The ball started to roll. A start was made, plans were drawn up, and the late Brother Norman Stewart was the builder with the help of voluntary workers. The foundation stone was well and truly laid by brother Joseph Magowan W.D.M. on 18th October 1958 when a large gathering of Brethren and friends attended.

Work progressed steadily on dry, and wet days, until it was finished and was opened by Mrs. Sarah Reid, the wife of the donor of the site on the 30th March 1959.

There being a good number of drummers among the members, it was agreed to purchase a new drum from William Johnston and Sons, Belfast to be ready for the 12th July 1959, when the celebrations were to be held in Glenavy. Word got around that the drum would be arriving on the Saturday before the 12th, and a big crowd of drummers and drums gathered at the station to give it a thunderous welcome. After parading through the village, and a bit of good crack, all dispersed quietly. The drum is still in use and in good order.

A new banner was ordered and was unfurled in June 1966 by Mrs. James Ferguson and is still being used. Although it has been repaired twice it is as good as new.

Three members of the lodge hold long service medals:

Brother William Campbell 56 years
Brother John Kennedy 52 years
Brother Frank Stewart 50 years

The lighting of the hall is powered by a Diesel engine but the members are working hard to raise funds to install the mains electricity.

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.”

This history states that “in the House of Orange there is a record of the warrant being issued to Bro. J. McNeice, Crew, Glenavy in 1798. Upon further research it was discovered that the warrant was originally issued in August/September 1796 to Crew LOL 124.”

Original minute books are all missing. Minutes and records from the beginning of the 1900’s are still in the Lodges’ possession. We do know that during the time of the Boer War, with members on active service, there were few members to keep the Lodge going. It was during this time that the Lodge sat at the late Bro. G. Hendrons, who paid the returns and walked to keep the Lodge warrant working. Until the middle of the 1800’s the Lodge used members’ houses to hold their meetings. They then used the old hall which belonged to Glenavy Parish Church. There is a record of income and expenditure when the Lodge refurbished the exterior of the building in 1903 – 1904. Two names of note are Rev. G.B. Glover who was the Parish Minister and Charles C. Gray M.P., better known as Lord Craigavon.

In September 1996 the Lodge unfurled a new banner to mark their 200th Anniversary. Throughout the years the lodge has been strongly associated with lambeg drums with competitions being held regularly at the hall. The Lodge own two drums; the ‘Plain Shell’ was bought from W. Johnston & Sons in 1929. The second drum ‘The Davey’ was originally W.Johnstons ‘Pride of the Shankill Road’. It then belonged to Ballynadrentagh L.O.L. 1059 but the Lodge brought the drum and had a painting of David slaying Goliath put on the shell. Both drums are still in use.

Home Rule Bill

The following extract is from the Belfast Newsletter dated Monday 17th April 1883 and appears with permission of the Belfast Newsletter.

On last Saturday evening an Orange Hall was opened at Crew, near Glenavy, and speeches were delivered against the Home Rule Bill.

Death Notice – Brother James Elwood

The following extract is from the Lisburn Herald dated 20th March 1948.

Death
Crew LOL 124

The Officers and Members of the above Lodge regret to learn of the death of their highly esteemed member, Brother James Elwood, and tender to the relatives their deepest sympathy.

H. Lewis W.M.
Wm. Haire, Sec.

Sale of Work – 1954

Newspaper cutting dated 18th Sept 1954;

Crew LOL. A sale of work in connection with Crew LOL 124 was held in the Protestant Hall on Saturday last. Mr. J. Molyneaux presided and Miss Hall of Broomhedge declared the sale open. Short speeches were also made by Mr. W. Scott, J.P., and Mrs. D. McCullough. A vote of thanks to Miss Hall was proposed by Miss Stewart and seconded by Miss Haire, and the chairman was thanked on the motion of Bro. H. Lewis, W.M., seconded by Bro. J. Kennedy. A bouquet of chrysanthemums was presented to Miss Hall by little Miss Ferguson.

Altogether there were five stalls – cake, two work stalls, grocery and white elephant. There were several side shows, including hoopla, bean bags, darts, and bran tubs. Miss I. West acted as handkerchief girl. The ballot winners were Miss Balance (Coronation picture), Mr. Jas Ingram (cake), Mrs. Williamson (doll), Mr. T. Anderson (jar of sweets), Mr. F. Stewart (tin of biscuits), Mr. R.A. Bell (pair of bantams). The sale was organised by the Ladies’ Committee and proceeds were in aid of the Building Fund.

 

Miss Hall of Broomhedge opening the sale on 18th September 1954

Miss Hall and Mr. James Molyneaux at the opening of the sale

Miss Ferguson after presenting the flowers to Miss Hall

Miss Haire seconds the vote of thanks to Miss Hall

Crew Trowel

The trowel used at the laying of the foundation stone at Crew Orange Hall by The Worshipful District Master of Glenavy District – Joseph Magowan (see grave 322 Dundrod Presbyterian Church) on the 18th October, 1958.

The trowel was purchased by the lodge for the occasion in October 1958 from J.L. Boyle, Jeweller and Optician, Market Square, Lisburn. The receipt states it cost £5 10s. After the laying of the foundation stone it was presented to Joseph Magowan.

The inscription on the trowel reads:

PRESENTED
TO
BRO. J. Magowan W.D.M.
GLENAVY DISTRICT L.O.L. No.4
by
the Officers & Members of
L.O.L. 124
18th OCTOBER,1958

Dance

Extract reproduced by permission of The Ulster Star.

12th November 1960
CREW L.O.L. 124

A dance
Will be held in
Crew Orange hall
On Friday 18th November, 1960
Square and Modern Dancing
To the Music of the
Blue Star Dance Band
Caller – Mrs. Carruth
Dancing 9 to 2
Admission (ins. Supper)
Ladies 4 s Gents 5s

God Save The Queen.

Ladies’ Committee Grand Variety Concert

The following extract is from The Ulster Star dated 21st January 1961 and appears with permission of The Ulster Star.

Crew L.O.L. 124 – Ladies’ Committee Grand Variety Concert

By the Charti Gang, Portadown in the Crew Orange Hall, on Friday, January 27, 1961 at 8pm.

Concert ticket 3 shillings

A Dance will follow

Music by George Wilson’s Band

Running Buffet

Admission (payable at Door) 2/6

Dance at Crew Orange Hall

The following extract is from The Ulster Star dated 28th January 1961 and appears with permission of The Ulster Star.

Crew L.O.L. 124

A dance will be held in Crew Orange Hall on Friday, 3rd Feb, 1961. Dancing 9pm to 2am.
To the music of Bob Johnston’s band.
Admission:
Ladies 4 shillings
Gents 5 shillings

The following is from The Ulster Star dated 18th February 1961 and appears with permission of the Ulster Star.

Crew L.O.L. 124
(Ladies’ Committee)

Square and Modern dance will be held in Crew Orange Hall on Friday, 24th February., 1961
Dancing 9 – 2 to the music of The Blue Star Dance Band
Caller: Mrs. Caruth.
Admission (including supper):
Ladies 4 shillings, Gents 5 shillings

The following is from The Ulster Star dated 25th February 1961 and appears with permission of the Ulster Star.

Crew Orange Hall

A Dance
Will be held in above hall on Friday, 3rd March, 1961
Commencing 9 pm
Music by Johnston’s Band
Guest Accordionist – Billy McNeill
Admission (inc. supper):
Ladies 4 shillings, gents 5 shillings
Proceeds for Ballinderry Girl Guides

The following is from The Ulster Star dated 4th March 1961 and appears with permission of the Ulster Star.

Crew L.O.L. 124

A Dance will be held in Crew Orange Hall
On Fri., 10th March, 1961
Dancing 9 to 2 to the Music of
Jimmy Johnston’s Band
Admission:
Ladies 4 shillings, Gents 5 shillings
(including supper)

Lodge Members Express Sympathy

The following is a newspaper cutting from unknown source.

Crew LOL 124

Lowry – The Officers and Members of the above Lodge regret the death of the sister of their esteemed member, Bro. John Lowry (jun) and tender their sincere Sympathy. H. Lewis W.M.

Stoneyford Women’s First LOL no 11

Lowry – The Officers and Members of above Lodge regret the death of their esteemed member, Sister Muriel Lowry, and daughter and Sister of their esteemed members, Sisters Mrs. Lowry and Sister Vivien Lowry, and tender to her relatives their deepest sympathy. D. Williamson W.M.

Mannequin Parade

The following is an extract from The Ulster Star dated 16th March 1968 and appears with permission of The Ulster Star.

Crew LOL 124 Ladies’ Committee invite you to
A Mannequin Parade
by Karalyn Boutique, Finaghy
in the Preceptory Hall, Pond Park, Lisburn
on Wednesday, 27th Mar., 1968 at 8.0 p.m.
Comere: Mrs. R.W.B. McConnell
Subscription (including supper) 6 shillings.

Photos

Old Tyme Dance

The following extract is from the Ulster Star dated 24th April 1971 and appears with permission of the Ulster Star.

Crew L.O.L. 124
An old Tyme Dance

will be held in Crew Orange Hall on Friday,
30th April
Dancing 9 – 2 to the music of
The Old Time Traditional Fiddlers
M.C. – Mr. W. Murdock
Buffet 10p.m. – 12. Admission 30p

Modern & Old Tyme Dance

The following is an extract from the Ulster Star dated 23 05 1975 and appears with permission of the Ulster Star.

Crewe LOL 124 (Ladies Committee) request the pleasure of your company at a dance. Modern & Old Tyme. To be held in Crewe hall on Friday evening 30th may at 9.00 p.m.

Dancing to the music of the Yamaha Trio. Spot prizes. Admission 60p. God Save the Queen.

1980

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