Latest news with #Twelfth
Belfast Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Orange Order hits out at ‘inaccurate, sensationalist and divisive' media coverage
Releasing a statement on Monday evening, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) criticised the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, BBC NI and the Irish News. The statement also criticised recent coverage around the cancellation of a cross-community sports event at North Down Cricket Club last week and said this newspaper had 'erroneously reported the cost of policing the 2025 Twelfth'. Responding to the statement from the organisation, a spokesperson for the Belfast Telegraph said: "The Belfast Telegraph reports on issues across Northern Ireland without fear or favour and will continue to do so. 'We are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation and any complaints about our journalism can be made directly to us. "In relation to the Twelfth, we featured extensive coverage, as we do every year, including three separate supplements across the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life. "We have investigated one factual inaccuracy brought to our attention by the Orange Order statement and are happy to correct it as soon as possible.' In their statement, the Orange Order referenced a story published in the Sunday Life at the weekend on the back of a political row around the cancellation of children's sports event organised by North Down Cricket Club in Comber – branding the story 'victimisation'. The organisation also criticised media coverage of the Portrush Sons of Ulster band parade which took place during The Open golf tournament on the north coast, claiming it 'provided another opportunity for sections of the media to demonise the unionist community and our culture'. Criticising BBC NI, the Orange Order said their reporting of the cancellation of the North Down Cricket Club in Comber was 'relentless and unbalanced' and said the broadcaster's coverage of the Twelfth continued to "marginalise Orangeism". Responding in a statement on their website, a BBC NI spokesperson said its coverage of the Twelfth reflected "their scale and significance for those taking part". "We provided extensive, cross-platform coverage of the Orange Order's 12 July events," they added. "Our multiple news reports were informative and impartial.
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Portrush parade that clashed with The Open made for ‘most memorable weekend' on north coast, councillor says
Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band parading on Saturday night. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Allister Kyle hailed the Portrush Sons of Ulster Parade as a huge success despite concerns expressed in the run-up the event which saw more than 80 bands march through the seaside town. The local representative and TUV chairman, who was among those who lined the streets on Saturday night, praised parade organisers. Mr Kyle cited an assessment he received from the PSNI this morning which estimated the number of spectators to be 12,000. He said he was informed that 'in spite of that mammoth attendance, there were a sum total of zero incidents involving police linked to the parade' and that 'organisers were a pleasure to work with'. The PSNI confirmed it made two arrests in the Portrush area on Saturday evening 'which were not related to the annual band parade'. 'The parade itself passed off peacefully without incident,' a spokesperson added. The Parades Commission was notified of 83 bands from all over NI taking part in the march making it bigger than any single Twelfth parade. It was led by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band. Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band parading on Saturday night. Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Watch: Birmingham man enjoys his first Twelfth as thousands parade in Belfast Organisers had been offered around £20,000 to postpone the parade due to concerns about supporters merging with golf fans, but rejected the cash incentive. Tee-times were then brought forward as "marginal adjustments" were made at Royal Portrush Golf Club to ensure both events could take place in a "seamless" way. Robert Thompson, bandmaster of Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band which led the parade, previously said he had no hesitation in supporting the decision to go ahead with the demonstration. 'If they had chosen not to have held it, we would have backed them," he said. 'But they chose to go ahead and asked us to have the privilege of leading it, and we jumped at the chance.' A number of tourists who were in the area for The Open decided to stick around after the golf ended to watch the spectacle. Harn Huang had travelled from South Africa with her mum and boyfriend and snapped up the chance to see her first parade. 'We don't have anything like this,' she said. 'I'm here to see both the golf and the parade. "It's very cool.' Other visitors, including Canadian Jess Marks and her partner Tim Shaw, were not aware of the parade but said they had heard rumblings of 'an event that might cause a few problems at the train station with more people trying to leave'. But Mr Kyle said 'meticulous planning' avoided any problems. 'It is beyond dispute that, for locals and visitors to our shores alike, the band parade was not, as some uninformed outlets described it, controversial in any way, shape or form, but instead positively contributed to a most memorable weekend on the north coast,' he added. 'Well done Portrush Sons of Ulster — and thank you.' Read more
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Crowds from The Open stick around to watch Portrush parade: ‘It was a first-class night of culture'
Except it wasn't The Open pulling in the crowds in the seaside town on Saturday night. Instead, it was the Sons of Ulster Flute Band's annual parade. Rarely had the event garnered so much attention. The parade is a key part of the marching calendar stretching back three decades, and is usually held on the first Saturday after the Twelfth. This year, however, it found itself in the spotlight due to a clash with the third day's play of The Open, a mile or so down the road at Royal Portrush. It provided a unique cultural experience for many of those visiting the area from afar. 'Tourists watched the parade, with those I had spoken to saying they had never seen anything like it before' Moving off at 8.30pm, just as spectators were making their way home from the golf course, dozens of bands marched through the town. The official application to the Parades Commission said 83 bands were due to take part. Heading the parade was the Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band. For more than two hours, the parade wound its way through the town, finishing up at around 10.45pm. Crowds lined the streets to watch as the procession passed. Some tourists in the area for The Open decided to stick around after the golf ended to watch the marchers. Harn Huang, who's from South Africa and was with her mum and boyfriend, said: 'We don't have anything like this. I'm here to see both the golf and the parade. It's very cool.' Among those at the parade was TUV councillor Allister Kyle, who praised its success. 'I was proud to be in Portrush on Saturday night, seeing the vast crowds, many of whom were in golf attire, clearly having attended The Open during the day and staying to enjoy the incredible musical spectacle in the evening,' he said. Mr Kyle added that it had been 'one of the most successful nights Portrush has seen in years'. The organising band was offered around £20,000 to postpone their parade, which they refused. Explaining the reluctance to move it, Mr Kyle said: 'The calendar of annual parades remains largely unchanged so that events don't clash. 'Everyone wants to be close to the Twelfth without overlapping with other major parades. Portrush has successfully held the first Saturday after the Twelfth for many years. 'If they had cancelled or postponed, they could have lost their slot to another band or faced serious difficulties finding a new date.' DUP MP Carla Lockhart was also among the crowd. She said: 'The town was buzzing and the atmosphere was something else. 'The band have faced much opposition to their parade, but they persisted and it was a first-class night of culture.' Jonathan McAuley, another local TUV councillor, said it was an evening to remember. 'Tourists from all over the world watched the parade, with those I had spoken to saying they had never seen anything like it before and enjoyed every minute of the parade,' he said. Bands taking part came from all over Northern Ireland including Dungannon, Belfast, Londonderry and Coleraine.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Band parade on Open weekend is hailed a huge success as crowds pack Portrush
More than 80 bands marched through the town, with locals saying it was a huge success. The annual parade, organised by the local Sons of Ulster Flute Band, coincided with the penultimate day of the tournament. Large crowds gathered in the seaside town to enjoy the parade as it moved off at 8.30pm, finishing up at 10.45pm. Local TUV councillor Allister Kyle was among those at the parade and praised its success. "I was proud to be in Portrush on Saturday night, seeing the vast crowds, many of whom were in golf attire, clearly having attended The Open during the day and staying to enjoy the incredible musical spectacle in the evening,' he said. "Once again, I congratulate Portrush Sons of Ulster, particularly their committee, for organising one of the most successful nights Portrush has seen in years.' The parade was led by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band. The bandmaster, Robert Thompson earlier told the Coleraine Chronicle his band had no hesitation in supporting Portrush Sons of Ulster's decision to go ahead with the rally. He said: 'It's an annual fixture and one of our favourite parades that is treated as a family day out. 'At the end of the day, it's Portrush's [Sons of Ulster] prerogative. Whatever they chose to do, we were backing them 100%. 'If they had chosen not to have held it, we would have backed them. But they chose to go ahead and asked us to have the privileged of leading it, and we jumped at the chance.' The route took in Metropole Green, Sandhill Drive, Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Upper Main Street, Main Street, Causeway Street, Victoria Street and Dunluce Avenue. The Parades Commission application listed 83 bands taking part. Bands taking part came from all over Northern Ireland including Dungannon, Belfast, Londonderry and Coleraine. That makes it bigger than any single Twelfth parade. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of sports fans are in the area for The Open at the nearby Royal Portrush Golf Club, which concluded on Sunday, The Open: International visitors share views on Portrush The organising band was offered around £20,000 by organisers to postpone their parade — which they refused. Outside the Station Bar today, Jeff McCusker said the band was 'definitely right to not accept the money'. 'The parade is every year on this date and if the golf organisers wanted to they could have reached out long before they did to the band,' he said. Despite fears of traffic chaos those helping with the traffic flow in the town said while it was heavy at times they kept it moving around the town. Some tourists in the area for The Open decided to stick around after the golf ended to watch the marchers. Harn Huang who was visiting Portrush for The Open from South Africa with her mum and boyfriend said: 'We don't have anything like this. I'm here to see both the golf and the parade. It's very cool.' But not all were even aware a parade was taking place including couple Luke Kelly and Mackenzie Brown from Phoenix, Arizona. Mackenzie said: 'We're not aware of any band parade and can't stay unfortunately. "I didn't know what to expect in Portrush (for The Open). It was breathtaking – the course and the cliffs and the water.' Canadian tourist Jess Marks, who was at The Open with partner Tim Shaw from Germany, said they didn't know anything about the march but had heard there was 'an event that might cause a few problems at the train station with more people trying to leave'. Earlier this week, Mark Darbon, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), said there would be "marginal adjustments" of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times to try to ensure both events can take place in a "seamless" way. "We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate," he said. "On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue. "So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Huge band parade underway in Portrush after Open timings moved to avoid clash
More than 80 bands are marching through the town this evening. The annual parade, organised by the local Sons of Ulster Flute Band, coincides with the third day of the tournament. Large crowds gathered in the seaside town to enjoy the parade as it moved off at 8.30pm. It was led by Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster Flute Band. The route takes in Metropole Green, Sandhill Drive, Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Upper Main Street, Main Street, Causeway Street, Victoria Street and Dunluce Avenue. According to the Parades Commission application, 83 bands are now expected to take part. Bands from as far away as Co Down are marching, with organisers saying more bands have joined due to recent publicity. That makes it bigger than any single Twelfth parade. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of sports fans are in the area for The Open at the nearby Royal Portrush Golf Club. The organising band was offered around £20,000 by organisers to postpone their parade — which they refused. Outside the Station Bar today, Jeff McCusker said the band was 'definitely right to not accept the money'. 'The parade is every year on this date and if the golf organisers wanted to they could have reached out long before they did to the band,' he said. Earlier this week, Mark Darbon, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient (R&A), said there would be "marginal adjustments" of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times to try to ensure both events can take place in a "seamless" way. "We recognise that when we bring The Open Championship to town, we are a guest in the community in which we operate," he said. "On many occasions, there are concurrent events that take place around the action that we are very focused on here, within the walls of the venue. "So, recognising the events that are taking place on Saturday, we have worked really collaboratively with the organisers and across multi-agency groups to ensure, primarily, that both events can run as seamlessly as possible. "We are making a slight tweak to tee times to try and finish - it's not dramatic, maybe 15 minutes or so earlier.'
