Orange walk organisers have been given the go-ahead to play music in Alexandria earlier than usually allowed – despite concerns it will disturb elderly residents.
The Dumbarton Orange and Purple District No. 27 asked West Dunbartonshire Council if its Pride of the Rock Flute Band could play 30 minutes earlier than permitted by the local authority’s code of conduct.
The council discussed the request at a licensing committee last week. The march will take place on Saturday, July 2, with organisers saying starting the parade earlier meant they could meet up with the larger march in Glasgow later that morning on time.
Jim Bollan, Leven councillor, had objected to the request, saying people living in care homes and residential properties near the route would be disturbed.
A similar application was brought before the licensing committee in 2018 where members decided to grant the request from the group to allow the playing of music from 8.30am.
But the councillor said new housing developments for the elderly and disabled had been built in the parade area since then.
He said: “There are many elderly and people with disabilities living in and around the Park Street area, plus the parade will pass very close to Bridge Court – a sheltered housing complex on Main Street.
“We should retain the 9am condition.” Organiser Simon Wade was asked if the march could proceed without the music but he replied: “We don’t accept that because it’s part of our culture and our heritage.
“We walk with a marching band.”
He explained: “Our main parade happens in Glasgow with all other parades leading up to it.
“Because of TRNSMT that’s happening, and I think there is a pop concert at Hampden, the council and Police Scotland have got together with the Grand Lodge and they have managed to move things about to accommodate everything.
“The upshot of this is that we have to be at Kelvingrove Park at the back of ten, instead of 11.40am.
“To do that we have to leave Alexandria slightly earlier.”
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, chair of the committee, moved a motion agreeing to the request, stating that consideration should be given to re-routing the parade or introducing no play zones in future.
