' JOINING WAS A CHANCE TO INSPIRE MY PEERS '

Alica Dickson (21) is a special needs classroom assistant and joined the Star of Dromore WLOL 66 on her 16th birthday in September 2003. She says:

Both my mother and father are active members of the Orange Order and as a family we are also very active band members,and regular church attendees.
I remember as a child watching ladies parading with regalia around their necks and big smiles on their faces (even in the rain). I recall thinking there was elegance in their manners and their dress codes. Though my young eyes I admired these ladies,and knew I wanted to be involved in this organisation when I became 'a big girl'

When attending church services as a congressional member,there was always a strong emphasis on Scripture, I began to learn more about the Orange and its morals and what the Association of Loyal Orangewomen stands for. I was really interested and determined and would ask my mother questions and she would listen and always told me to think long and hard before signing on the dotted line! As a young woman of just 15,I decided I really wanted to be associated with it. I saw it as a chance to be an inspiration to my peers as the Association is an interesting,and well conducted, Christ-centred organisation.

Anyone who knows me will know that the meaning of being an Orangewoman is very personal and private to me. I enjoy all aspects of the Orange Order and I love getting involved in its community work. It is highly regarded and though its many social and spiritual events there is the chance to meet new people.(Some may say I have a talkative personality,so these events suit me!)

As a member I also get great satisfaction from the Institution's charity work,giving finiancial help to people and children who truly need it. Today,I'm playing a side drum in the Corbet Accordion Band ranks in Banbridge - and,of course I will have my Orange regalia on. I joined when I was three as a tambourine player. To me,the Twelfth is a family event,full of enjoyment,a time for socialising over a cup of tea and a celebration of our culture.''

Orangewomen parading

' IT INSTILLED IN US BASIC CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES '
Nina McClean (79) has been a member of the Excelsior WLOL 136 for 61 years,having joined the juniors at the age of eight and then the Womens Association at 17. She is Deputy Grand Mistress of Ireland and County Deputy Mistress,plus a past District Mistress. She says:

I came from a good Presbyterian family and my father and mother were members of the Orange Order,as well as my four brothers and three of my five sisters. As a child,I looked forward to going to the meetings. We were taught good citizenship and they instilled in us basic Christian principles that we should have regard for our elders and other people. We were taught to care for things that belonged to everyone,to look after them and not destroy them. It was basically all about creating a good mind in a young person.

Iam a member of Excelsior WLOL 136,of which I and my mother and three of my sisters are all past Mistresses. The Order has been a large and enjoyable part of my life. The principles which it instilled in me as a child are something which I have been able to carry though my life. It has taught me to love my neighbours,irrespective of who they are and love my country.

The Order is founded on the Bible and it is our faith and the Bibical truths that we try to uphold. You can only try as best you can,but at the end of the day we are all human. I have made some deep-seated lasting friends though the lodge and,unfortunately,lost some older sisters.

We also maintain loyalty to the Queen and country and uphold the British way of life. I believe there is room in this world for everyone. I uphold my way of life and everyone else has the right to uphold theirs. The Twelfth is an important day as we commemorate what was achieved at the Battle of the Boyne,which was civil and religious liberty for all,not just for Protestants but for every person. I'll be on the Lisburn Road in Belfast today with my family to watch the brethren parade by. Its a good day but a sad day,too,as you remember good people who have been there in the past and who are no longer with us. Its hard to describe what it means,it touches your heart.''

' THE COMPANIONSHIP IS IMPORTANT '

Joan Beggs,has been a member of the Association for nearly 40 years. The retired auxiliary nurse and mum-of-four currently holds the offices of Worshipful District Mistress,County Grand Mistress and Grand Secretary as well as being first member of committee of the Daughters of Ruth, Moygashel WLOL 106. She says:

The Twelfth meant an awful lot to my late father, William James Ferry,who was a member of Newmills LOL 183. Because of him,as a child I was always intrigued by it and had this secret longing to join. I was a young mum when a lady invited me to join Moygashel WLOL 106. I felt it would be a way to meet other women and also learn more about my culture to help bring up my children in a balanced way.

Also the qualifications of an Orangewoman - Christian living,uprightness and sincerity - are special and I try to aspire to them. The Orange Order is a Christian organisation and this is sometimes used in the wrong way - we all try hard and we all fail. The companionship of the sisterhood is also important and the Order's approach to helping charities is very much in keeping with my personal thoughts on life. Every year the sisters support between four and six charities,as a result of donations from members. I personally feel that good health is a very precious gift and we should help others not as fortunate.

In our own lodge we meet once a month and,with holding office,I also attend district and county meetings. It can take up a lot of my time and I couldn't fulfil these roles without the support of my husband, Joe,and my wider family circle. There is much more to the Order than walking. I like the tradition of the Twelfth and this year Iam taking part in the Tyrone demonstration in Coagh. It is a very special heritage we have and I think we ought to be proud to cherish that heritage.''