L.O.L 1866 CULMORE TRUE BLUES
On Monday 15th February 1875 the above named Lodge was formed, and its Officers the were: -
W.M. Bro, William Craig 1st Comm. Bro Robert Cargill
D.M. Bro. Robert McCarter 2nd Comm. Bro. Joseph Torrens
Sec. Bro. James Boyle 3rd Comm. Bro. James McCarter
Trea. Bro. George Magee 4th Comm. Bro. Samuel Carrauthers
Chap. Bro. Samuel Craig Tyler Bro. William Stewart
The Lodge members me first in a small wooden house kindly given by Mr Magee, and described by the Derry Journal as an old fishing boat turned keel uppermost, it has 13 members.
According to minutes of 6th June 1895 it was agreed to get a new flag from Bro. William McDaid, Belfast the price to exceed £5-£10. No where in the minutes does it say this flag was purchased, but every 12th July 4 members were detailed to take charge of the flag.
June 20th 1895 minutes the Lodge agreed to walk from Culmore led by Steelstown Flute Band and meet the Island of Inch Lodge at Tray Bray (junction of Culmore and Buncrana road) and pay the band £2 if they agreed to leave the Lodge back to Culmore, after the Celebration in Londonderry.
After 12th July Celebrations L.O.L 1866 walked home by Culmore road, and other times walked the Limavady Road accompanied by the Eglinton Lodge, and Flute Band, and over on the ferry, other times came home by wagonettes.
L.O.L. 1866 was operating in Manorcunningham under the name of Mondooney L.O.L. 1866, and ceased to function there in the 1860’s.
L.O.L. 1866 held its’ annual Sunday Service in Muff Parish Church, the Rector of Muff taking the Service in June 1899. (A copy of the Service enclosed).
The Minutes of January 1900 recorded that a member of L.O.L. 1866 was suspended for 5 years for being drunk on Sunday 8th November 1899.
12th July 1918 was celebrated at Culmore, Revd. Robt Duggan W.M. at this time he had been a member of Rockcorry Lodge No. 519, Co. Monaghan.
Minutes tell a new flag was unfurled on 12th July 1920 by the City Grand Master Bro. Robert McCarter (a member of L.O.L. 1866) and then took part with the City Grand Lodge in Limavady. Bro. Joseph Johnston being W.M. this year.
L.O.L. 1866 had for many years a flute band in 1927 it was agreed to form a pipe band and was named Culmore Pipe Band, Bro. Fred Canning for many years was Bandmaster.
Bro. David Craig a staunch member and secretary for both Band and Lodge died and on May 10th 1951 in Culmore Parish Church the band was renamed and dedicated and name The David Craig Memorial Pipe Band. Clergy take part in the service Revd. W.A. Montgomery (Strand Road Pres. Church) Revd. V.G. Griffiths (Rector Christ Church) doing the sermon the service was conducted by the rector of Culmore Revd. W.E. Davey.
L.O.L. 1866 on 13th April 1934 unfurled a new flag with Culmore Castle, on one side, and King William on the other side, purchased from Messrs. Bridgetts, Belfast, for the sum of £16.00.
Again on 4th July 1952 a new Banner was unfurled and dedicated, Bro. Robert Hamilton W.D.M. Lisburn No. 6 District. Platform speakers were Wor. Bro. Edward McIntyre, City Grand Master and Wor. Bro. W.J. Little, County Grand Master, and Bro. R.J. Finlay, L.O.L. 846 as Chairman, Clergy taking part was Bro. William Doherty, D.O.G Chap. and Bro. F.W.C. Wallace, L.O.L 334 Bready, Co Tyrone Grand Lodge. The banner had the picture of the Mountjoy Breaking the Boom, purchased from Messrs. Frank Hargy, Portrush for the sum of £70.00 including poles. (Carrying)
On the 14th February 1975 L.O.L. 1866 held a Centenary Dinner Dance in the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall. The City Grand master Wor. Bro. Revd. R. Dickinson with the City Grand and district Officers present.
The Officers in the Centenary year were: -
W.M. Bro. Victor Stewart 1st Comm. Bro. Thomas Stewart
D.M. Bro. Charles Burnside 2nd Comm. Bro. William Smallwoods
Chap. Bro. John Smyth 3rd Comm. Bro. William Houston
Trea. Bro. George Craig 4th Comm. Bro. William Bredin
Sec. Bro. Noel Stewart 5th Comm. Bro. George Keys Sen.
Ass. Sec. Bro. William R Stewart Tyler Bro. William Stewart
On Saturday 28th June 1975 a Mini Twelfth was held at Culmore when 3 new banners were unfurled and dedicated (L.O.L. 433, L.O.L. 1866 & L.O.L. 1927). The banners were dedicated by Bro. Revd. J. H. McConnell L.O.L. 433 and the Rector of Culmore Revd. B.J. Humpries. Bro. John Brown unfurled L.O.L. 1866 banner, it bears the picture of Culmore Parish Church and the breaking of the boom and purchased from Messrs, Robert Anderson, Coleraine for the sum of £200.00 including carrying poles.
L.O.L. 1866 held and holds their annual Sunday Services year about with Culmore and Ballyarnett Pres. Church, but owing to the troubles saw the end of walking to Ballyarnett, but Ballyarnett Pres. Minister his year in Culmore Parish Church.
L.O.L. 1866 has in its procession transfer certificates dating back to 1893, 1884 & 1885.
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