The Twelfth of July is a day that I and many in the Northern Ireland community look forward to each year.

I fully accept and respect that there are some within society that do not have any interest in the Twelfth, or the festivities that come with it.

I welcome the focus that was placed on the Twelfth in last week’s Impartial Reporter, with its 15-page supplement, and the many contributions, including that of Gerry McLaughlin.

Most people – even many of those somewhat wary of the Institution – will possibly respect the colour, culture, music, and family atmosphere of the day.

The excellent music provided by the scores of bands, the banners with their messages, the Christian ethos, the social integration of all ages, and a renewed increase in the number of Ladies and Junior Lodges are all seen as central aspects of the Orange Order at large.

We must also remember that the Orange Institution is not just about the Twelfth.

The organisation has membership in many countries throughout the world outside of Ireland, including Scotland, England, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and West Africa.

County Fermanagh was host this year to the Imperial Orange Council in the week prior to the Twelfth.

This brought together members and representatives of the Orange family from throughout the world for the Twelfth here – providing a great spectacle for the attendees, and a real showcase opportunity for the county.

There are approximately 700 Orange Halls in Ireland, most in Northern Ireland, with almost 300 of them targeted and damaged in the past 55 years.

Some were even burned to the ground.

Even though premises have been damaged, members have been murdered and injured during The Troubles, and 31 members from County Fermanagh Lodges were murdered by terrorists during The Troubles, many of the halls are used for wider community activities.

Although Orangeism in Fermanagh has suffered with the targeting of its property and its membership, there continues to be positive relationships with many of our neighbours who would not have an interest in the Orange Order.

There is a little more openness from some sections now about discussing the interests of differing traditions.

In the past, there may have been less dialogue with your neighbours of an opposing tradition.

I believe in some instances that many are more comfortable about talking to the neighbours and work colleagues about their own tradition, which may not be part of another community interest.

I recall The Impartial Reporter supplement in July, 2010, entitled: ‘A Culture of Respect – The Orange Tradition in Fermanagh’, in which significant contributions came from Fr. Brian D’Arcy and Peter Quinn.

In 2014, Fermanagh Orange Order produced a community audit that considered widespread consultation throughout the community.

In 2018, it had an exhibition at Enniskillen Castle entitled ‘From Grey to Orange’.

For many years, the Fermanagh Orange Order played host for a number of days around and including the Twelfth to various groups that wouldn’t traditionally have been receptive to the Orange Institution.

These came from areas such as Limerick, Longford, Sligo, Cavan and Monaghan.

Charitable support is a key function of the Orange Order in Fermanagh. The organisation regularly raises significant funds for charities.

Many of those fundraising activities were carried out by the former Social & Charitable Committee of the Order, and by individual Lodges throughout the county.

We are very proud to take part in this positive work, and know that we are delivering on our Christian outreach.

A recent example is this year’s County Fermanagh Twelfth charity collection, which was for Cancer Focus.

There are many charities that the Orange Order in the County supports each year – 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.

All of these confidence and bridge-building activities have added to a better understanding of the Orange Order in Fermanagh and its workings.

Members of the Orange Order are very much part of the local community. They are valued members in the workplace, on many community groups, sports clubs, business owners and in various churches.

They cannot be excluded or ignored. Their tradition should be respected, just as everyone else should be respected for their rightful and law-abiding activities.

This year I had the opportunity to attend the Twelfth event in Broughshane in North Antrim, where I was invited to be a guest speaker.

While smaller than the Fermanagh event, it was a similar family-friendly, relaxed commemoration whose participants, just like the Orange family in Fermanagh, are very much part of the local community; living, working and socialising within their local community, and playing a very positive role within society.

The Orange Institution may be called old-fashioned. It may be called ancient, antiquated, and it may not be understood by everyone.

But just because it is an old organisation, just because it has a long history, doesn’t mean that it has become suddenly irrelevant, but it does mean it has a relevancy that is far greater than something that is just a flash in the pan and new, and here today but gone tomorrow.

Orangeism has a big part to play in this society. It also has a big part to play in Fermanagh. It will only succeed if we make it succeed.

Orangeism is something that has been passed on, but the key to it is what we pass on to the generations that lie ahead of us.

We need to pass on the faith and loyalty of our forefathers, the faith of the scriptures, the faith of Jesus Christ, and ensure that what we are passing on will enable the Order to become stronger in the future.

Tom Elliott is an Ulster Unionist MLA and former MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Councillor for Erne North.