Thursday 4 October 2012

The York Brake

The Brake at the Covenant Day Parade Celebrations. Photo taken by Bro. Clr. Brain Kingston 


Royal York LOL 145 rekindled part of its history on Saturday when some of its members made their way from Belfast City Hall to Parliament Buildings and back in a Landau pulled by two Black Friesian horses. This recreated the use of horses by the lodge which began back in the mists of time.

Wor Bro John Harcourt Past Master of the Lodge and the senior member on parade was visibly moved as he recalled his days as a young member of Royal York when “The York Brake”, was a permanent fixture at all major Orange events held in Belfast.

“The Brake” a similar coach was pulled by horses owned by the Harcourt family until its condition necessitated its retirement from use and it was presented by the family to The Ulster Transport Museum where it is still housed.

W.Brother Harcourt commenting on the history of “The Brake” as he made the journey back from Stormont stated that it was highly probable that it had actually been used on Ulster Day 1912 and that he had never expected to be able to relive the experience as a member of Royal York.

The Landau used for the parade drew admiring glances and many very appreciative comments both during the journey and when parked at Parliament Buildings
.
The pair of black horses, perfectly turned out by their owners Emma James and Robert Smyth of “Bygones Carriages,” their shining coats glistening in the bright sunlight presented a spectacle enjoyed by all, None more so than Wor.Brother Harcourt who was delighted as they trotted up Royal Avenue, round The City Hall and back to the grounds of Royal Belfast Academical Institution, used by kind permission of The Principal and Administrator.

Deputy Master Wor Bro David Dalzell speaking at RBAI commented “It was a marvelous way to complete the perfect parade and looked forward to many more similar experiences.

The best thanks of the Lodge go to The Lord Laird of Artigarvan for all his assistance in the organization of the momentous event.

Wor. Bro. Kenneth Latimer (Lay Chaplain)

The Horse

Where in the world can we find nobility without pride,
friendship without envy?
Here where grace is bound with muscle and strength by gentleness confined

He serves without servility, he has fought without enmity
There is nothing more powerful, nothing less violent
There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.

England’s past has been borne on his back
All our history is his industry
We are his heirs
He is our inheritance.