Upholding our right to express our British Identity in this part of the Kingdom

At the regular monthly meeting of Royal York 145 the following motion was proposed by Bro. Andrew Charles and seconded by W.M. Graham S. Barton:

"This lodge protests at the continued threat against our British identity in this part of the United Kingdom. We oppose the continued campaign to remove the symbols of our country at local councils across Ulster. We fully support the efforts of Grand Secretary Drew Nelson in protesting against such moves and call upon the loyal people of Ulster to rally behind this movement against the continued efforts by a minority to wipe Northern Ireland of its Britishness."

It was passed unanimously by Royal York members.

After what started a turbulent year beginning with Limavady Borough Council, where Sinn Fein Nationalist Councilors sought the removal of the symbols of our country and what has been repeated in Banbridge District Council; Royal York stands behind Grand Secretary W. Bro. Drew Nelson in his efforts to highlight this injustice and what is an insult to the loyal people of this province.

It is sad to see the continued attack on our culture and national identity in what has been deemed a 'New' Northern Ireland now that Sinn Fein are in Government.

This motion was passed at District Lodge (3) Level on 26th February 2008.
This motion was passed at County Lodge (Belfast) Level on 12th February 2008.

Lodge Officers 2008

At the September 2007 Lodge Meeting the officers for 2008 were elected and in February they were installed in their offices. All officers for the previous years were re-elected to their previous posts.

Worshipful Master
Wor. Bro. Graham Steven Barton LL.B. WM
"And the chief captain answered, with a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born." Acts of the Apostles, 22 v.28

Bro. Graham is an Estate and Property Management Agent and a graduate of The Queen's University of Belfast. A past Speaker of the Queen's Students' Council and past President of the Queen's Ulster Society, he is currently involved in the Grand Masters Parades Advisory Committee, and working on the Orders approach to parading matters. He is a member of Rising Son's of William (Queen's) LOL 1845, the Queen's students and alumni lodge.

Deputy Master
Bro. Iain Jamison B.A.

Secretary
Wor. Bro. R. Thiepval Young PM PDM
Bro. Val is also the Depurty County Grand Secretary, as well as the Grand Registrar of Ireland in the Grand Royal Arch Purple Chapter of Ireland, as well as Deputy City Grand Master.

Assitant Secretary
Bro. Andrew Charles B.A.

Chaplain
Wor. Bro. Kenneth Latimer PM
Bro. Latimer is a long time member of the lodge, and director of York Island Arts and Heritage Association, dealing with the Liberty Days Festival in Saintfield.

Treasurer
Wor. Bro. Alan McIntosh PM
Bro. McIntosh also holds many offices in the Black including: PDM No. 2 Royal Black District Chapter, Chairman of the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter Benevolent Fund and Grand Pursuviant of the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter.

First Committeeman
Wor. Bro. John Harcourt PM

Inside Tyler
Bro. Andrew Smylie B.Eng.