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Factfile on Lodge
Name: Boyd Memorial L.O.L. No. 312
Founded: 1798 warrant issued to 13th Dragoons
W.M. of Lodge: Brian Adair
Location: Burnside, Antrim, Co. Antrim
The original warrant of L.O.L. No. 312 was issued as a military
warrant to the 13th Dragoons, and in the 1820s was still a
military warrant. It would be later in the 19th century that
the warrant came into the Sixmilewater valley, when the name
of Stuart Frew would be associated with the Lodge.
In 1872 one of the leading lights of L.O.L. No. 312 was James
Craig, and the McMeekin, Scott, Boyd and Craig families can
be traced back to their involvement in the Lodge around that
time.
In modern times Boyd Memorial L.O.L. No. 312 is highly active
in the local community and a fine example of Orangeism at
its best. With around 100 members, Burnside also has its own
accordion band - formed in 1999 for the Millennium - which
led the Lodge banner and Co. Antrim contingent on parade in
London in 2002 for the Queen's Golden Jubilee parade.
The Lodge has been highly active in forming an Ulster-Scots
Society and has commemorated the role of Presbyterians in
the Battle of Antrim in 1798 as well as organising a five-a-side
soccer competition each year at Burnside. A youth committee
was formed in 2002 and this takes part in the county football
tournament as well as organising the five-a-side event.
The County and Grand Lodge representative for Sixmilewater
No. 10 District is John McGrath, a member of the Lodge who
is well known throughout Co. Antrim and beyond. Other prominent
members of the Lodge have included local council members,
the late Jack Blakely, John Smyth and Brian Graham. Sandy
Bremner (aged 84) is the oldest member, while David Magee
(17) is the youngest.
Boyd Memorial hosts an annual church service to Greystone
Road Presbyterian Church in Antrim on the last Sunday in June,
and each July 12 morning holds a short service at the cenotaph
in the town, laying a wreath in memorial of the RUC and army
personnel killed during the Troubles.
One of the unique traditions L.O.L. No. 312 upholds is that
of walking around the perimeter of the Orange Hall on the
12th morning and completing a full circuit by leaving from
the hall by the lower road on the morning and returning by
the upper road at all parades.
The Orange Hall at Burnside is well used, being home to Sister
Brown Memorial Women's L.O.L. No. 220, Rising Sons of Burnside
J.L.O.L. No. 278 and Lough's Followers R.B.P. No. 318.
The present officer team is headed by Brian Adair, Worshipful
Master, James Thompson, Deputy Master, John McGrath, Secretary,
James Gillanders, Treasurer, Raymond Chestnutt, Chaplain,
and John Leeper, Tyler. Committee comprises Jonathan Hanna,
John Pattison, John Smyth Jr, John Burke, and Brian Graham.
Interestingly, the 1st and 2nd Lecturers are a father and
son team - Jim and Christopher Armstrong.
With a modern and impressive building, Boyd Memorial is an
important landmark not only on the landscape but also in the
community of Antrim, and will undoubtedly continue to be so
in future years.
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