15,000 Orangemen bound for Larkhall

Apr 3 2008 By Gary Fanning

UP to 15,000 Orangemen are expected to bring Larkhall to a “standstill” when they march through the town later this year.

Members of 123 lodges across west and central Scotland will gather in Larkhall on Saturday, July 5, to mark the 318th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

It’s the first time the walk will have taken place in the town for 16 years.

Orangemen and their followers will set off from Coronation Park in Hareleeshill at 11.30am.

The marchers’ route will take in Keir Hardie Road, Machan Road, Church Street, Union Street, London Street, Glenview, Summerlee Bridge, Hamilton Street, Drygate Street, Burnside Place, Burnhead Road, Hareleeshill Road and then back along Keir Hardie Road, finishing at Coronation Park.

It’s understood the marchers will walk on the right side of the road, with oncoming traffic being stopped until the procession has passed.

Police believe there will be no need for traffic diversions or any road closures.

The County Grand Lodge of Central Scotland informed South Lanarkshire Council on February 18 of their intention to hold a walk in Larkhall.

The council have not received any objections to the march. Closing date for objections was March 4.

The same march was proposed in Larkhall three years ago but was scrapped because there was nowhere in the town for Orangemen to park their buses.

Organisers failed to secure a guarantee that they could park 175 buses at the former DAKS factory site.

This time organisers have made alternative arrangements for the coaches.

About 100 buses will drop Orangemen off in Larkhall before the vehicles are parked in the Blue Star lorry car park in Lesmahagow.

The coaches will then return to Larkhall to pick up the marchers after the walk is finished.

One resident said: “I can’t see how Larkhall with a population of 15,000 can cope with 12,000 Orangemen and people who are going to follow the parade. Larkhall will come to a standstill.”

Ian Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said: “Any large event will cause traffic disruption but it will cause less disruption in small towns.

“I would like to thank people in advance for the generosity in allowing local Orangemen and women to hold the event in their town. It will be a day for them to enjoy.”

Mr Wilson said that march will give an economic boost to the town.

“At least 12,000 people and spectators going to Larkhall is good for the local economy,” he added.

“That is a lot of mouths to feed. The march will bring business to the town.”

The parade is held each year at different venues across central Scotland.

Last year’s march took place in Hamilton. Eight people were charged with committing religiously-aggravated offences during the walk. The eight arrests did not involve any parade members.

About 300 officers were involved in policing the event.

Mr Wilson added: “This event is held each year by a different lodge and it so happens that it is Larkhall’s turn this year.

“On a good day, we can attract up to 15,000 people and normally expect about 80 to 90 bands taking part.”

Chief Inspector Tom Aitken, of Hamilton Police Office, said: “At the moment, the organisers have applied for permission for a walk in Larkhall.

“It is still at an early stage. The police can only make observations and the final decision rests with South Lanarkshire Council.

“If the march is approved, there will be extra police patrols because of the size of the event.

“We would also hope to keep disruption to a bare minimum.”

A council spokesman said: “A notification has been received to hold the Annual Boyne Celebration march on July 5 in Larkhall.

“To date there have been no objections.”