Flagship status for 2013 Twelfth in City

One of only three venues in Northern Ireland to receive Flagship status this year, members of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, have welcomed the news that the festivities have been granted such prestigious status. The City made it’s pitch for Flagship status on Thursday to the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, and it was passed to the NITB for approval.

“The awarding of Flagship statues will guarantee the prestige of the events surrounding the annual Twelfth demonstration in July,” said City Grand Lodge PRO, Victor Wray.

“The news has been welcomed by all members of the Loyal Orders in the city. The City Grand Lodge members are really delighted that they have been granted Flagship status in the UK City of Culture year. It means we can really showcase the event with all the other events that will take place as well throughout the UK City of Culture year,” he said.

“Flagship status is granted through the NITB and it will help attract tourists into the City that day and in the days beforehand, which will give traders a financial boost,” he said.

Mr Wray said the City Grand Lodge was expecting around five thousand people to take part in the parade in the old city of Londonderry.

“We are very upbeat about all the events this year and we hope that every section of the community can buy into this event, especially now that it is a Flagship Twelfth,” he said.