L.O.L 513 EXPOSED!
FORMATION OF THE LODGE.
NO SURRENDER LOL513 has a long and proud tradition and has been in existance for around 141 years!
The first information recorded is on 1st January 1864. A meeting took place in "The Philharmonic room" in belfast with the intention of starting an Orange Lodge. Officer's were elected and some ground rules set-up. There were around 59 members in attendance at this first meeeting. The first Worshipful masterelected was brother george Lorimer. According to the minute books he was a very active member of the lodge and held a number of offices within the lodge. His deputy was brother Thomas warnock.
The lodge had a number of distinguished member's including a surgeon, Dr Hanna from York Street. Members were able to attend this doctor if they were ill, an example of the commaradery of Orangism.
Also attending that first meeting were at least nine lawyer's, stonemasons, carpenter's and drapers. During the late 1800's and early 1900's, Orangemen were drawn from all classes right through from upper class to working class, sadly, although this still happens, it is not on the same scale as in yesteryear.
having done the ground work, L.O.L 513 was formed, the officers and members are as proud today as the brethren in 1864 who originally formed No Surrender L.O.L 513.
THE WARRANT
The lodge warrant dates back to may 1864. the lodge meetings took place in the orange Hall in College street, belfast until 13th February 1885 when they moved into Clifton Street Orange Hall, where our meetings are still held to this day.
THE COLOURS
The Lodge collarettes are of Londonderry crimson. permission was requested for use of this colour from Mr G Ferguson of the Apprentice boys of Londonderry, who was at that time the president of the organisation. Permission was granted on 20th May 1864 and Mr Ferguson was made an honourary member of L.O.L 513's sick and benevolent fund. The lodge regalia and banner are still crimson to this day.
MEMBERSHIP
Over the years membership of the lodge has fluctuated from 59 at the first meeting, growing to 138 brethren by 1865. The membership peaked in 1880 with around 240 members. Around this time the Orange Order in Belfast was massive with all lodges in Belfast enjoying a boom period, which can most likely be linked to the Home-Rule crisis of 1892.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
The Orange Order played a central role in most peoples lives. It was the done thing for sons to follow in their father's footsteps and join their lodges. Family membership was not uncommon with father's, sons, brothers, uncles and cousins all in the same lodge.
RE-NAMING OF THE LODGE
LOL 513 was no different and one family that was very closely involved with the lodge was the Dalzell family. They were well-Known local business men in Belfast. AP Dalzell was a very active member within LOL 513 and in recognition of this, on 15th June 1936, the lodge changed its name to Dalzell memorial, No Surrender LOL513. This was done to honour a brother who had done so much for Orangism, particularly in Belfast.
THE LEAN YEARS
The number of member's sadly declined and by the late 60's, at the start of the "troubles", the lodge was badly off. Recruiting of new members was all but impossible during the troubles, mainly due to the difficulty in getting people to travel at night in North Belfast. In the 70's the numbers waned further to just 11 members on the glorious "Twelfth Day".
Thankfully, some stalwart members such as the late Tommy Nesbitt, Robert Bell Snr and Ernie Humphries, gritted their teeth through the mean times and hung on in, and due to this dedication the lodge survived.
BELFAST WIDE MEMBERSHIP
Members come from all parts of Belfast, North, South, East and West. We are always on the look out for new reliable and loyal members, so if you are interested you can obtain information from Orange Order Headquarters, Schomberg House, Cregah Road, Belfast.
THE WAR YEARS
LOL513 has, like so many other lodges, had members who were soldiers in both ww1 and ww2.
On the 13th March 1914, a communication from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland urged those members of the Institution who had signed The Covenant to now take their place in the Ulster Volunteer Force's famous 36th Ulster Division.
LOL 513 had a number of Volunteers who went to war and those members were granted exemption from payment of dues for the duration therein.
DONATIONS
On 14th January 1916, Worshipful master James McKeown informed the lodge that subscriptions had been requested by No 4 District to purchase a set of bagpipes for the Ulster Volunteers in france. This was done.
VISITING BRETHREN
During this time we had a number of visiting brethren from England and Scotland who attended lodge meetings as they were far from home but Orange at heart, they were made very welcome and they attended a number ofmeetings over the war years.
BANNERS AND FLAGS
I believe the banners and colours are at the heart of any lodge. The banner tells it's own story by the pictures on it. It could have details of the Church affiliated, a favourite Bible passage or some part of history either local or military. The colours also add to the enjoyment and the celebrations. i always remember as a boy growing up in Sandy row watching the lodges proudly displaying their banners as they came over the Donegall Road brae every "Twelfth", morning. What a glorious sight. Funnily enough I never remember any bad weather, the sun was always shining!