GLEN TRUE BLUES LOL 1060
Killymallagh, which is only a few miles from Curryfree, was the original holder of Warrant number lO6O. However, in 1910,this warrant was installed for "Glen True Blues" at an old stone building on a site behind where the existing hall now stands.
From old records some of the early lodge officers were Robert Dougherty, who gave the plot of land where the present hall stands, Andrew Wilson, Bob Montgomery, Patton Smyth, Willie Neely, Stephen Neely and Gordon Montgomery.
In 1920, Bro. Robert N. Rosborough became W.M. and held that office with distinction for thirty-six years. During this lengthy term of office Bro. William B. Dunn also held the Office of Secretary, however for a slightly shorter period.
Thanks to the dedication and resolve of a hard working committee and members, a prefabricated structure with wartime refugee connections was purchased, transported from Warbleshinney and with comprehensive strengthening was re-erected on the site given by Bro. Robert Doherty for a cost of £700. The main organisers of the band of volunteers were Bro. Willie Dougherty, son of Robert and a carpenter by trade, Bro. William Wilson, a bricklayer and Bro. lvor Parkhill, a young plasterer.
Family names much to the fore from the installation night down and even to present day are Dougherty, Wilson, McKeegan, Cooke, Snodgrass, Neely, Montgomery and Caldwell.
The new hall, as it then was in 1948, was opened in due solemnity and celebration as the revitalised hut of Orangemen in the "Glen". It has served its purpose well till the present day. Due to several acts of vandalism and arson by the enemies of Ulster the hall has become in need of very major repairs. Again the brethren have rallied to the challenge and at the time of going online plans are well advanced with the new structure of yet another hall, which will hopefully be opened this year or early next year.
A goodly portion of the overall cost of £ 35,000 has already been raised by the efforts of the committee but a large section of cost has still to be realised to make the new hall yet another bastion of the "Reformed" and "Orange" causes in the "Glen" at the foot of the Sperrins.
The oldest, active member is Bro. William Mitchell with sixty two years service and is in his eightieth year. Bro. Mitchell was also a member of the Lodges pipe band from its formation in 1934 the lodge had a flute band. Most of those already mentioned have had family ties or connections with the pipe band but perhaps Bro. Andy McCloskey, the drum major, will jog the minds of most as a character.
The present D.C.G.M. Bro. Douglas Caldwell has been a member for forty years during which time he has continually held one office or another. He also held offices of Lay Chap., Secretary, D.D.M. & W.D.M. of No. 5 District and then Secretary of the City Grand Lodge for a number of years. He is proud of his connection with the lodge from the remote area of Curryfree.
The I.R.A. onslaught of the past twenty-five years has taken its toll but the brethren of Curryfree are resolute and determined to keep the Orange Flag flying on this hillside like our brethren in Fawney and Killaloo.
By the way, on 12th July, the lodge has for a number of years, carried a bannerette. It was the first such standard to carried by a private Lodge under the City of Londonderry jurisdiction, although others have now made the same change.