Sir, – Recent theological discussions about the Loyal Orange Order on these Letters pages seem misguided. This is not about religion.
A clue may be found in the reference by a recent correspondent to Orangemen marching on “our streets”. The streets of a town, surely, are for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation?
I read an account of the July 12th celebrations in the late 19th century here in St Helens, which had a large Irish Catholic population. There being no local Orange Lodge, the Orangemen were brought in from Liverpool by train to march through the Irish area. There was much alcohol consumed and much blood spilt. Shots were fired; one could buy a revolver from any hardware shop in those days.
All this nonsense eventually died out. However, I generally avoid Southport when the Liverpool Orange lodges have their day out there.
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– Yours, etc,
PAUL GRIFFIN,
Merseyside, UK.
