City funds Orange events

Senior reporter

Saturday 2 June 2012

SCOTLAND'S largest council is funding Orange Order street parties to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, sparking demands the authority ensures the events are "inclusive" and claims that local communities have not been consulted.

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GERRY BRAIDEN

A party centred on an Orange Hall in Pollokshields in Glasgow's south side and organised by the local lodge has received £1500 in public cash. Another based at an Orange Hall in Springburn has been given £890 of city council cash.

A total of £1500 was requested for a party on Monday organised by the Govan District 42 Orange Lodge. A decision will be taken next week by the council, after the party. Thousands of pounds of road-closure costs have also been written off by the council's Labour leadership as a Jubilee gesture of goodwill.However, one resident close to the Pollokshields Lodge said no-one in the community was consulted about the event. The resident, who asked not be named, said: "We've only found out because some businesses have heard the Orange Order members discussing it. Then we had flyers stuck to our doors. "There is no-one I know in this street wanting this. Who is going to attend if it's not residents? It will be the friends of the people who run the Orange Hall. When I spoke with the council they told me they'd investigate after the event. That's not much use." The news comes as it emerges changes to Glasgow's parades policy, promised by council leader Gordon Matheson, could see restrictions on music outside places of worship altered. Last month, The Herald revealed Mr Matheson told a hustings of more than 100 Orange Order members the council's parades policy was "wrong", with an imminent review expected to allow more marches through the city centre and music to be played earlier and later in the day.Humza Yousaf, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has called on the city council to spell out its engagement with the Orange Order.Last night he said: "Money from the public purse has been given to various Jubilee parties, which are largely being organised by Orange lodges across the city, on the proviso they will be open and inclusive to other communities. I would be keen to hear what attempts have been made to reach out to Glasgow's diverse communities and other faith groups in particular."Dave Scott from Scotland's leading anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth said: "I think the big question organisers need to ask themselves is 'would the Queen actually be comfortable being at our party?' I certainly can't recall her ever attending an Orange Order event in my lifetime." A council spokesman said: "These small sums of money were provided by area committees on the basis that the events are in public places and anyone can attend."The Herald attempted to contact the Orange lodges concerned but was unable to.

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City funds Orange events

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