Latest news with #SorchaEastwood
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
The UK's oldest private ceremonial military regiment has paraded at full strength for the first time in more than 130 years. Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.' MP for the area Ms Eastwood said it was a 'special day' for Hillsborough. She added: 'I know some of the people who were getting their investiture today and I know the service they have given to their community over many, many years and the real passion they have. 'Today is about consolidating Hillsborough as a destination for tourism. We are very proud of what we have here in the village, it is a very unique offering. 'All of us who are Lisburn born and bred will know the links over many years, with this being the only location on the island of Ireland with a royal palace and still retained as the King's official residence. 'There is a brand new generation coming through who don't know that history and part of today is linked to that tourism offering.'
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
The UK's oldest private ceremonial military regiment has paraded at full strength for the first time in more than 130 years. Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.' MP for the area Ms Eastwood said it was a 'special day' for Hillsborough. She added: 'I know some of the people who were getting their investiture today and I know the service they have given to their community over many, many years and the real passion they have. 'Today is about consolidating Hillsborough as a destination for tourism. We are very proud of what we have here in the village, it is a very unique offering. 'All of us who are Lisburn born and bred will know the links over many years, with this being the only location on the island of Ireland with a royal palace and still retained as the King's official residence. 'There is a brand new generation coming through who don't know that history and part of today is linked to that tourism offering.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
The UK's oldest private ceremonial military regiment has paraded at full strength for the first time in more than 130 years. Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.'
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mocking of Pope at loyalist parade on day he died branded ‘provocative and insensitive' by politicians
Footage from the annual Easter parade on Monday showed the Pride of Knockmore Flute Band playing 'No Pope of Rome'. Lyrics to the song include: 'No, no Pope of Rome, no chapels to sadden my eyes, no nuns and no priests, no Rosary beads, every day is the 12th of July'. The incident came just hours after 88-year-old Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. In a social media post Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood said: 'It is so distressing that this happened yesterday – it is really hurtful to many across our shared community in Lagan Valley and further afield. 'It is offensive and unacceptable at any time, but particularly on the day that the Pope passed away. 'This is not behaviour that is representative of our town or indeed many of the bands participating who do not want to be associated with this sort of completely unacceptable conduct and hate. 'Lagan Valley is a shared community and we will push back against this sort of regressive intolerance.' Alliance MLA for Lagan Valley, David Honeyford, also criticised the actions of the band members. 'It's really disappointing to hear of this provocative and insensitive behaviour yesterday. This would have been disrespectful at anytime, but is especially on the day of the Pope's passing,' he said. 'Those involved are not representative of the vast majority of people out on Monday, on what should have been a good day, and this is not representative of the Lisburn and the wider area.' ADVERTISEMENT Up to 50 bands and 6,000 participants took part in the annual Apprentice Boys parade on Monday. Several DUP politicians shared posts from the parade, though there is no suggestion they were present when the song was played. DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart said: 'Great to see so many Apprentice Boys, bands and supporters. The atmosphere was first class with the entire route lined with thousands of people enjoying the day. 'Good to see Upper Bann well represented with a great turn out of men from right across the Banbridge, Lurgan and the Portadown area. 'As always Portadown Defenders Flute Band and Downshire Guiding Star Flute Band sounding top notch. 'A great way to spend Easter Monday.' Education Minister Paul Givan shared an image of himself shaking hands with one of the participants at the parade. He said: 'A fabulous day in Lisburn as we hosted the Apprentice Boys of Derry in Lisburn. A fantastic parade with thousands out showing their support.' On Monday morning, DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP expressed his condolences following the passing of Pope Francis. He said: 'Pope Francis was held in deep affection by many in Northern Ireland. We extend our respectful sympathies to all those grieving his passing. 'While many within the unionist community may hold different theological views, it is important to recognise the profound respect and admiration that many of our fellow countrymen and women had for the humble caretaker who entered the priesthood and died as the head of the Roman Catholic church. 'At this moment, we acknowledge their sorrow and offer our sincere condolences." The Pride of Knockmore Flute Band, the DUP and the Apprentice Boys of Derry have been contacted.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Sorcha Eastwood calls for crackdown on social media to protect young people
Parents are demanding greater protections for young people using social media, Alliance Party MP Sorcha Eastwood has said. Ms Eastwood criticised the government as being "out of touch" and "blind to the concerns" of parents, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced an initiative to screen the Netflix drama adolescence"> Adolescence in secondary schools. Ms Eastwood, MP for Lagan Valley, is scheduled to host a backbench debate on Thursday focusing on the impact of digital platforms on UK democracy. Speaking ahead of the debate, she highlighted the growing concern among parents and caregivers. "I think a lot of people have just resigned themselves to some sort of inevitability about this," she said. "I think our young people, and certainly those who care for them ... mums and dads, guardians ... they're crying out for guardrails." She added: 'Certainly not having any protections and no laws and not revisiting the age of consent (for social media), I think is completely wrong, because as far as I'm concerned, we know that it's harmful. It is absolutely harmful. It's damaging our young people. It's damaging society.' Ms Eastwood is currently taking legal action against influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate over social media posts made a day after she told the House of Commons she was a 'survivor of abuse' and had received rape threats. Andrew Tate has previously been banned from TikTok, YouTube and Facebook after the platforms accused him of posting hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for being sexually assaulted. Ms Eastwood said followers of the Tates were using a 'different language', which young people were being exposed to. 'People like me, who are older, who do understand it, who can see it unfolding, and can see the absolute carnage that is resulting in terms of our young people's lives, are desperate for action, are ringing the bell. 'If there was a dashboard, every light on it would be red and the Government are just blind to the concerns.' The Netflix series Adolescence, which examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, has prompted a national conversation about online safety. This week the Prime Minister backed Netflix making the show – which centres around a teenage boy accused of killing a girl from his school – free to stream for all secondary schools across the UK. Ms Eastwood said the move shows 'a Government certainly that are out of touch, but it also shows the Government that are wanting to just close its eyes and ears to this'. She said: 'This has been going on for such a long time and that the Government responded by saying, 'we will allow this programme to be shown in schools' without any reference to the fact that we need to revisit the age of consent, and so far as digital platform usage, we need to immediately have financial sanctions for these companies that platform this harmful and often criminal content, and absolutely no mention of legislation at all. 'It's already clear that the Online Safety Act isn't robust enough. These companies will only respond to what they understand, and that's money and that's cash, and that's hitting them where it hurts, right in the pocket.' Ms Eastwood called for additional taxes on 'tech oligarchs', which she said the Government were using as a 'bargaining tool with the US'. 'Nothing at all can be used to denigrate the rights of our children and young people, and yet that's exactly what they're doing,' she said. 'Second of all, we need financial sanctions and consequences for these firms and lastly, we need robust legislation, because none of that will be enforceable or policeable without legislation.'
