Articulating loyalist culture

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A conflict resolution group in Ballymena has backed a police clampdown on drinking in the streets during band parades. Community Voice – Transforming Conflict, has issued the backing, ahead of the first major band parade of the year, organised for tonight by Ballykeel Loyal Sons Of Ulster.

Community Voice consists of representatives from the Presbyterian Church and Church of Ireland, business leaders, community workers and former loyalist prisoners, including Billy McCaughey. Mr McCaughey the secretary of the group has said they operate under two strands – working to encourage loyalists to move away from violence, while another aspect is aimed at easing cross-community tensions and helping to build a “united town”.

The group is holding a conference today in Ballymena`s Ecos Centre entitled Towards a Democratic Expression of Loyalist Culture. Mr McCaughey has said presentations are due to be delivered by Dr David Hume, from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland; Mervyn Storey from the Independent Orange Institution and Jim Brownlee, representing the Apprentice Boys of Derry. PSNI Superintendent Terry Shevlin is also due to attend.

According to Mr McCaughey the conference is about providing leaders of the loyal orders with an opportunity to present the positive aspects of their culture: “but it is also to permit them to confront and address unacceptable manifestations such as overt and ugly sectarianism, and excess drinking which tends to hang on to and accompany loyalist parades.
At the request of various community representatives the police have decided to implement legislation governing consumption of alcohol and the positive aspect of that is that people on the ground will see that the police have the support of leaders in the community.”

The general gist of this piece is taken from an article by Nevin Farrell on page 16 of todays Newsletter.

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