Orange arch plan for Main Street

Rodney Edwards • Published 16 Feb 2012 13:00 0 Comments

A loyalist plan to have an Orange Arch constructed on the main thoroughfare in Enniskillen is likely to prove controversial.

The Impartial Reporter understands that loyalist organisers want the Arch on East Bridge Street set up in time for this year's Twelfth of July celebrations in Enniskillen.

A number of fund-raising events have been held to raise funds for the project, including a Battle of the Bands style competition in the Ulster Unionist Hall, last week.

Chief organiser of the project is Enniskillen Fusiliers band member Ray Bell who has been pushing for support and providing updates on the Facebook website.

"It is planned for this [the Arch] to be erected on East Bridge Street beside the old Orange hall exactly on the spot where the town's Orange Arch stood proudly many years ago," he wrote.

In another entry, he thanked those who turned up at the fund-raising event last Friday night, writing: "We raised £416.33 on the night which will go to wards the structural engineer report and the insurance of the Arch".However, when contacted by this newspaper for further information Mr. Bell declined to comment, saying he couldn't say anything for "a week or two".

It's understand planning permission for the Arch, which is likely to be a considerably large structure featuring the Union Jack, is currently being sought by Mr. Bell through Roads Service. Another fund-raising event is to be held on March 9 in the Ulster Unionist Hall at 8.30pm, featuring Country and Western music.

Official sources from within the Orange Order wouldn't comment when contacted by The Impartial Reporter but it's understood that senior figures in the Fermanagh County Grand Orange Lodge are "very weary" about the proposed construction. One Orange Order source, who contacted this newspaper, said: "I know there are some who don't want anything to do with it at all".

Meanwhile, according to the Enniskillen Culture Group Facebook page, Mr. Bell has held a number of meetings, including some in the Ulster Unionist Hall, to discuss constructing a Garden of Remembrance in the Coleshill estate.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Feb 12

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