Hope of Eglinton; No Surrender, LOL 764
City of Londonderry No 5 District

LOL764 originated, not as you might expect in Eglinton, but in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim back in the year 1825. The first Worshipful Master of LOL764 in Manorhamilton was the late Bro Francie Briton. The records held by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland back in the early 1800s are a little vague with regards to LOL764 in Co Leitrim, with the lodge number only appearing in the Warrant Registrar in the years 1825, 1835, 1856 and 1891. At some point between the years 1891 and 1906, LOL764 in Manorhamilton ceased to function as a lodge, and in 1906 the Warrant Number of LOL764 was given to form a lodge in the village of Eglinton; Co. Londonderry.

LOL764, or as it became known, “Hope of Eglinton; No Surrender, LOL764” was formed under the watchful eye of the first Worshipful Master, the late Wor Bro James McConnell, with the first meeting taking place at the late Worshipful Masters home on 6th May 1906. The lodge attended their first 12th July demonstration at Donegal Town in 1906, forming up at the home of the late Worship Master at Tully, just outside Eglinton, before parading to Victoria Road Railway Station to catch the train to and from Donegal Town. The late Worship Master continued to lead the lodge for a number of years, before handing over the reigns to the newly installed Worshipful Master, the late Wor Bro McCarron.

In 1910, with the kind permission of the Scott Family, the lodge moved to the Willsboro Schoolhouse, which was also the home of the local Masonic Lodge. The lodge continued to meet at this location for the next 25 years, before building heir own Orange Hall – Eglinton Orange Hall, which is still in contact use today. On Monday 7th October 1935, the lodge held its first meeting in Eglinton Orange Hall, situated on the Coolafinney Road, as you enter the village of Eglinton.

The lodge continued to meet over the next few decades and on 6th February 1967, on the proposal of the late Bro George Atcheson, the lodge took the decision to form a Junior Lodge – Eglinton Junior Lodge No 245. The newly formed Junior Lodge held their first meeting on 7th May 1967. Eglinton Junior Lodge is still on the go today, and can be seen at most parades, parading alongside LOL764, under the watchful eye of Bro George McElhatton.

Over the years the lodge has continued to flourish owing to the dedication and support of a large number of members, too numerous to mention. The late Bro George Atcheson is deserving of special mention however, having joined the lodge on the evening of 2nd March 1959. Over the course of the next 37 years which the late Brother served the lodge, the late Bro George Atcheson held the post of Secretary for 14 years, Treasurer for 4 years, as well as Tyler, Auditor, Lecturer and various positions within the lodge committee over the years. Sadly, on the 10th February 1996, the late Bro George Atcheson passed away, fittingly on his way to attend a meeting of the “City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge” in the Memorial Hall; Society Street, Londonderry. The dedication and numerous friends, which the late Bro Atcheson had made over the years, were evident at the large numbers who turned out to attend his funeral. On 3rd July 1996, LOL764 held its first Memorial Service to the late Bro Atcheson in Eglinton Orange Hall, with a plaque being unveiled in his memory.

Amongst other members of the lodge deserving of special mention are the late Bro V R O’Brien and the late Bro Hugh Oliver. The late Bro O’Brien was presented with his 50 Years Jewel in Eglinton Orange Hall on 5th November 1992, with the late Bro Hugh Oliver being presented with his 50 Years Jewel in Eglinton Orange Hall on 6th October 1997. The late Bro O’Brien gave constant support to the lodge, as well as the Apprentice Boys of Derry; Murray Club, Eglinton Branch and Eglinton Accordion Band. The late Bro Hugh Oliver, although residing in Belfast would often have been sitting in the Hall car park waiting for the hall to be opened before any of our local members had turned up. Indeed, the late Bro Oliver continued to support the lodge even as his health deteriorated.
The lodge is indebted to the Jamison Family of Ballygudden, as it is this family who sold the lodge the land to build Eglinton Orange Hall. Bro Thomas Jamison, an Honorary Member of our Lodge also remain on the list of Hall Trustees.

In 1906, the lodge celebrated the important milestone of 100 years, marking the occasion by Dinner Dance held in Eglinton Orange Hall on Friday 5th May 2006, which was attended by amongst others the City Grand Master, Rt Wor Bro Gerald Wallace and the Deputy City Grand Master, Wor Bro Victor Wray.

The lodge continues to go from strength to strength, with lodge membership currently around 25. The lodges continues to support the City of Londonderry No 5 District Lodge, as well as the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge. In this year 2009, our Worship Master, Wor Bro George Wylie also holds the post of No 5 District Master, as well as Director of Ceremonies with the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge. Our Treasurer, Wor Bro David Wylie also holds the position of No 5 District Treasurer, with our Tyler, Wor Bro Garvin McElhatton holding the position of No 5 District Tyler. Our Secretary, Wor Bro Stephen Burns also holds the position of Assistant Deputy City Grand Secretary, with Wor Bro David McKeegan also holding the position of City Grand Tyler.

Current Lodge Officers, in this the 175th Year since the formation of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge, are Wor Bro George Wylie MBE TD (WM), Wor Bro William Stephenson (DM), Wor Bro James Hughes (Chap), Wor Bro Stephen Burns (Sec) and Wor Bro David Wylie (Trea).