|
Factfile on Lodge
Name: Wesleyan Temperance L.O.L. No. 161
Founded: Originally 1798. Present Lodge in 1950.
W.M. of Lodge: Tom Leckey
District: Portadown, Co. Armagh
Wesleyan Temperance L.O.L. No. 161, as the name suggests,
is a Lodge with a strong Methodist ethos, and although the
membership today is much more varied as far as denominations
are concerned, there is still a large Methodist input. The
Lodge was originally formed in 1798 in Loughgall District,
before coming to Portadown in 1933, when it took the title
Portadown True Blues.
However, the Lodge became dormant just before the Second
World War, and it was not until 1950 that the warrant was
taken out once again.
It was formed by a group of dedicated Methodists and within
a few years had a flourishing membership of over 60, which
included at one time up to seven Methodist ministers! The
Lodge banner for some 30 years had on one side a portrait
of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. It became a familiar
and much-loved feature of Portadown District parades, and
in those halcyon years of the 1950s the Lodge was headed by
Thomas Street Methodist Silver Band.
It was very impressive, and in those days the prominent brethren
included a number who gave outstanding serve to political
and civic affairs in Portadown.
These included men like Councillors Robert Williamson, John
George McCann, and Ernest Downey, who served on Portadown
Borough Council - the late Brother Williamson was Mayor of
Portadown for a number of years.
The portrait of John Wesley which adorned L.O.L. No. 161
banner for many years was later framed by Lodge member Brother
Roy Woolsey, and is now much admired in the lecture hall of
Thomas Street Methodist Church.
The 1950s was a marvellous decade for L.O.L. No. 161 with
a steady flow of recruits from the Methodist community, including
former Boys' Brigade members. Ministerial brethren included
the Rev. Morley Thompson, and in those days Methodism had
no difficulty relating to Orangeism. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm
on the part of Methodism at the highest levels for the Orange
Order declined in keeping with the increase in the ecumenical
movement, and it has been more difficult in recent times to
recruit new brethren.
The most recent Methodist minister to belong to Wesleyan
Temperance was the late Rev. Henry Holloway, who gave outstanding
service to Orangeism in Portadown and Co. Armagh as a Grand
Chaplain.
The very difficult times of the past two decades in Portadown
District have also had a spill-over effect on Wesleyan Temperance.
Membership is much smaller than those great years of the 1950s
and 60s, but there is still a great enthusiasm in the ranks
and a determination to keep L.O.L. No. 161 to the forefront.
The present membership includes two leading officers of Portadown
District L.O.L. No. 1 Deputy District Master, David Burrows,
and District Secretary, Nigel Dawson. A great friend of the
Lodge is Roy Kells MBE, of Grand Lodge and a leading Co. Fermanagh
officer. Brother Kells was initiated in L.O.L. No. 161 when
he was working as a young man in Portadown 50 years ago and
has never lost his love and affection for Wesleyan Lodge.
Portadown journalist Brian Courtney is also a loyal member
of L.O.L. No. 161.
The brethren, in their bid to keep Wesleyan Temperance to
the forefront, have recently launched a programme of visits
to places of historical interest, and have invited speakers
to address the Lodge on a whole range of interest.
Author and authority on the Ulster-Scots, Billy Kennedy recently
gave a fascinating talk on the subject to the Lodge. And the
brethren have recently visited places like Dan Winter's House,
Schomberg House and Fernhill House Museum.
|
