ORANGE CUMBRIA
From 1800s to Present Day
Annual Parade 16th May 2026 Click here for details orangecumbria@gmail.comOur History
- What is the Orange Order
We are a Protestant fraternity who is loyal to the crown which was founded in 1795, Our name comes from King William lll,
Prince of Orange who’s victory over James II at the battle of the Boyne in July 1690 resulted in the parliamentary democracy in the British Isles.
We also exist in nine countries of the World—England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United
States, Ghana and Togo West Africa
- North Western Province of Cumberland and Westmoreland
The province was made up of 4 Districts, Whitehaven, Maryport, Barrow In Furness and even the Isle Of Man.
Our Great institution was founded in 1795 and rapidly grew in massive numbers throughout the country and sometime around 1863 started to see a rise in the Cumbrian towns of Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, Frizington, Egremont, Bigrigg, Harrington, Workington, Maryport and Barrow-in-Furness.
There were many Lodges in each town consisting of male, female and juvenile lodges and the towns had two or three Orange Halls or meeting rooms, some very prominent piers were also members, such as Lord Lonsdale (Hugh Cecil Lowther) Victoria Cross winner Abraham Acton who were membes of LOL171 Whitehaven, and many others from other Male and Female Lodges such as LOL522 Workington True Blues, Crimson Banner LOL403 Harrington, Furness True Blues LOL905 and many more to mention who would sadly not return from WW1 and WW2 and would also add to the decline in membership which seen in recent years the folding of these lodges.
However in 2013 this was to change when lodges began to form in Cumbria once again with the newly formed Abraham Acton VC Memorial LOL572 and in 2018 the newly formed Daughters of William LLOL573 and more recently in January 2020 seen the reforming of the Whithaven Loyal Sons Of Ulster LOL171, all 3 come under The Northern Provice and District 46 Tynside & North Yorkshire Don Middleton HDGM Memorial which has still been active from its formation in the very early days of early 1800s
- Orangeism means Loyalty
Loyalty to the reformed religion, loyalty to the crown and government, loyalty to the country which we live, and loyalty to each other
- What do we do
We hold monthly meetings as part of our tradition to organise events, discuss new ideas for raising funds, we support our local community and raise funds for charities as well as having our own charity for orphans, widows and students and provide support and assistance when required. We organise and attend parades throughout the country for various occasions such as the Boyne Celebrations in July and also attend Remembrance Day parades
Contact Us
If you would like to know more or are interested in joining as a new member or you are a past member wanting to return please use the contact Email Above or complete the contact form below on the last page of the site.
We can put you in touch with a Lodge near to your home inside or outside of Cumbria.
"YOUR HISTORY AND CLUTURE MATTERS
DONT LET IT DISAPEAR..... JOIN NOW"
Whitehaven Loyal Sons Of Ulster LOL 171
Whitehaven Parade on Scotch Street 1938
Whitehaven Loyal Sons of Ulster LOL 171 on Scotch street 1938
Whitehaven Loyal Sons of Ulster on return back to Castle Park down Scotch Street 1938
Senhouse LOL 516 Maryport
North Western Province
1879 - 2001
Above
Castle Park Whitehaven Late 1980’s with Grand and Provincial Lodge Officers
Left
Workington Parade 1980s
Grand Lodge Barrow in Furness 1913
Grand Lodge Meeting 1913 at the old town Hall Barrow in Furness
Looking at the back of the room we have the then Most Worshipful Grand Master W. Watson Rutherford M.P , RT Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Robert Todd, RT Worshipful Grand Chaplain Rev T Dickinson M.A, RT Worshipful Grand Treasurer R.B Shorrock DGM and Assistant Grand Secretary AH Mountcastle who was elected to RT Worshipful Grand Secretary for the year ahead following the passing of RT Worshipful Grand Secretary Wm Touchstone in December 1912.
GALLERY
More Photos of past times
PRESENT TIMES
The Orange Order is growing once again in Cumbria so if you feel this is something you would like to be part of or would like more info please make contact to the email above or complete the contact form below
Whitehaven Loyal Sons of Ulster LOL 171 are always on a Recruitment Mission and would like to hear from you
We can even put you in touch with a Lodge near to your location
Below is some of our recent Parades
PARADES AND EVENTS
Or for any other information on the below or simply to gain more info on the Orange Order in England you can also visit www.gole.org.uk
WHITEHAVEN LOYAL SONS OF ULSTER LOL 171
16TH MAY 2026
ALL LODGES WELCOME
All Lodges and Bands to Form up 1:15pm to move off 1:30pm, Parade finishes in Castle Park for Wreath laying service and speeches at the band stand
In previous years we chose the date very carefully as it was the very time when the Dunkirk Evacuation began, which lasted from the 26th May until the 6th of June 1940 and also remembering all our fallen.
We have chosen our new date of 16th May 2026, in memory of Abraham Acton who was killed in action on that day in 1915, which will be 111 years ago to the date.
On passing the St Nicholas Church on Lowther Street you will see Abraham Acton’s Memorial, who was also an Orangeman of the Town who won the Victoria Cross for his Bravery during the 1st world War and was a member of LOL 171, we then pass his birthplace on Roper Street where a plaque can be seen on the wall of the building.
The parade will continue through market place and onto the promenade, passing the Beacon Museum where Abraham has a display , to the left of the Museum is the Miners Memorial stone which is there to commemorate the wellington pit disaster.
On 11th May 1910 an explosion at the Wellington Pit in Whitehaven, Cumbria led to the death of 136 men and boys.
Among those who lost their lives were Bro James Stephenson and Bro William Wilson, both members of Whitehaven Total Abstainers LOL 807. At Bro Stephenson's funeral his coffin was carried by the Brethren of his lodge and Orangemen from Maryport, Flimby, Workington, Whitehaven, and the sisters of the Whitehaven Female lodge "Lily of Whitehaven LLOL 105" formed a procession to the cemetery.
The parade will then continue to George Street, Duke Street, Scotch Street, back to Lowther Street and enter Castle Park for wreath laying service, following this the parade moves off to Calder Avenue and back to Castle Park where the parade will disperse.
All Lodges are very welcome to attend.
The Function Room afterwards is open immediately following the parade and is a Ticketed entrance only.
Ticket Wristbands @ £8 per person.
The price of the ticket also includes Buffet.
Also featuring.
Loyalist Singer Aidan Cunningham.
Pride of Bargeddie Flute Band.
Pride of Norris Green Accordion Band.
Larkhall Purple Heroes Flute Band.
Email
orangecumbria@gmail.com
NEWS
Current News on what we have been doing and what plans are ahead
Ulster Day Fundraiser
On the 28th September LOL 171 held a fundraiser event which was very successful and a percentage of the takings will be donated to Andy's Man Club Whitehaven
This event will also be held annually
Whitehaven Loyal Sons of Ulser LOL171 Annual Parade 2025
After our second year holding a parade in Whitehaven we will do this every 3rd Saturday in May Annually and is a chosen date to Commemorate the Dunkirk Evacuation as well as the William Pit Disaster.
16th May 2026 parade will be the actual date that Abraham Acton was killed in Action 111 years ago
Recruitment Mission continues
We have been on a recruitment mission these last few years and our poster has been distributed around various parts of West Cumbria.
We also had QR code cards created and over 2000 has been given out.
16th MAY ***** NOW ON SALE***** 2026
We now have Tickets for the Whitehaven Loyal Sons of Ulster LOL 171 post parade function on the 16th May 2026
Featuring
Loyalist Singer Aidan Cunningham
Lots of goodies for Raffle plus Buffet
Also featuring Pride of Norris Green Accordion Band, Larkhall Purple Heroes Flute Band and Pride of Bargeddie Flute Band
Tickets in the form of wristbands can be purchased by BACS transfer to the below account
Please also allow extra for the price of postage stamp for delivery and Email orangecumbria@gmail.com
With your postal address.
£8 per Ticket per person. ..
Account name: Whitehaven Loyal Sons of Ulster LOL171
Sort Code: 30-99-50
Account Number: 30498662
Please type Ticket in the reference section…
The Imperial Grand Black Chapter of the British Commonwealth
Several Sir Knights received their Red Cross Degree at the Hebburn Orange Hall June 2023.
For information on becoming a member please do get in touch via the Email at top of the page.
Provincial Meeting
Hebburn Orange Hall
The Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand Master Rev Sir Knight William Anderson and Officers of the Provincial Grand Black Chapter of England and Officers from Gilpin Irwin Memorial RBDC No.4
The meeting was hosted By The Knights of St George RBP 321 also in the photo
