|
Factfile on Lodge
Name: Ahorey Ark of Safety L.O.L. No. 251
Founded: 1828
W.M. of Lodge: Alwyn Morrison
District: Tandragee, Co. Armagh
Ahorey is a village located just off the Portadown to Markethill
Road in Armagh, and Orangemen have been active there since
1828, when David Wisker was Worshipful Master and the Lodge
Number was 1241.
Records show that in 1875 the Lodge was granted the warrant
number 251, and in 1931 the title 'Ark of Safety' was added
with the approval of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
During the early years of the Lodge, as was common in many
areas, Lodge meetings were held in members own homes, and
in the late 1800s a barn loft belonging to Samuel Patterson
was the Lodge room. In 1898, just across the road from the
barn, the first Orange Hall at Ahorey was built.
In 1932 the first banner was purchased, before this the Lodge
carried a flag. This banner featured 'King William wounded
at the Boyne' and 'Jacob's Dream'. Today the banner has 'King
William on Horseback' and 'The Good Shepherd'.
The Lodge has always maintained a close connection with the
local Presbyterian Church. From the earliest records in 1905
the Lodge used the church for an anniversary service at the
start of July, and this continues today.
The Lambeg drum has always been an important part in the
history of 251 and the oldest drum in the procession of the
Lodge is 'The Secret of England's Greatness', simply known
as 'The Black Chief', this drum having been bought in 1905.
Down through the years the Lodge has been lucky to have had
some good drumming families involved, these included the Wilson
and Dowey families, with the latter family still keeping the
drumming tradition strong in Ahorey.
Today, L.O.L. No. 251 has over 40 members and meets on the
first Thursday of each month. Regular fund-raising functions
which include drumming matches and a barbeque are held to
meet the running costs of the Lodge.
The oldest member of L.O.L. No. 251 is Bro. Sydney McDonald,
aged 84, while the longest serving member is Bro. Samuel Patterson.
The Woolsey and Jeffers families are among those who are particularly
prominent in the modern Ahorey Lodge, and the youngest member
of the Lodge is Bro. Keith Woolsey. All help to keep alive
a history which started in the early 19th century and now
has taken Ahorey Lodge into the 21st century.
|
