Community outreach and charity support are two extremely valuable assets within society. These two attributes are also key elements of the ethos of the Royal Black Institution.

A significant focus of the organisation is its religious basis, but it also has a cultural background.

The Royal Black Institution was formed in Ireland in 1797 to provide several additional scripture teachings to complement those that were part of the Orange system.

Unfortunately, no record was kept about what happened on this date, where the order was founded, or who was involved.

Charitable support is a key function of the Royal Black Institution; the organisation regularly raises significant funds for charities – something that we are very proud to do, and know that we are delivering on our Christian outreach.

This year’s County Fermanagh charity collection at the event is for Fermanagh MS Group, an organisation that supports individuals affected by Multiple Sclerosis; please support this locally-based charity.

Last year, County Fermanagh raised a significant amount for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Just a few years ago, the organisation donated £95,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support.

These are just a few of the many charities that the Royal Black Institution has supported, charities that I’m sure would be supported right across the entire community of Northern Ireland, irrespective of your denomination, community background, ethnicity or social outlook.

The organisation, just like many other associations have outward expressions of their culture, [sees] the Royal Black hold a number of parades each year.

These are mostly [confined] to a Sunday Church service, but other notable events are the Scarva event, which is held on July 13 each year; and the Battle of Newtownbutler commemoration, that is held on the first Saturday of August each year in Fermanagh; with the remainder of the Northern Ireland events held on the last Saturday of August each year in a number of venues.

These commemorations provide a wide array of music, cultural pageantry, Christian worship and charity support.

Many members of the Royal Black Institution suffered greatly throughout The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Significant numbers were murdered and others injured through acts of terrorism.

A former Sovereign Grand Master of the Institution, Sir Norman Stronge, was murdered in his home, at Tynan Abbey in Co. Armagh, on the evening of January 21, 1981.

Killed alongside him was his only son, James, also a member of the Institution.

The father and son were killed by an IRA gang who then firebombed the property, with the resulting blaze leaving the historic building in ruins.

Sir Norman was Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution from 1948 to 1971. He fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and was awarded the Military Cross. He later served as Speaker of the House of Commons of Northern Ireland for 23 years.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, the Royal Black Institution in Fermanagh assisted with a multi-organisation approach in conjunction with the Orange Order, Association of Loyal Orangewomen and the Apprentice Boys of Derry based in the county to put in place an emergency fund to purchase and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to the many GP practices, health centres, care homes and nursing staff [in the area].

One of the benefits of the organisation is that we have members in every area throughout the county.

Within days of the launch of this initiative in early April, 2020, we had thousands of items of essential equipment purchased and distributed to those in need.

The Royal Black Institution is an organisation of members that have strong principles – they support the monarchy of the United Kingdom, they have dedicated Christian conviction, a long and proud history, and a commitment to community and charitable outreach that we want to continue and enhance.