Senior members of of the Imperial Grand Black Chapter have attended a special reception hosted by Lord Mayor Gareth Wilson – and updated him on plans for the new headquarters development planned for Loughgall.
The event, held in the parlour of the council offices at the city’s Palace Demesne, took place following the Loyal Institution’s announcement earlier this year.
During the reception, the Lord Mayor was shown detailed plans for the facility in the conservation village, which will incorporate administration and meeting amenities, a library, and a small-scale interpretative centre to showcase historical artefacts.
It is planned the new headquarters will be fully operational by the end of next year.
Sovereign Grand Master Millar Farr expressed his gratitude to the Lord Mayor for kindly hosting the event.
He said: “We were delighted to be afforded the opportunity to outline to Alderman Wilson our plans for the redevelopment of ‘The Tavern’ in Loughgall.
“We were also very pleased to share personally with the Lord Mayor our vision and aspirations for what is an historic milestone for the Imperial Grand Black Chapter.
“The Institution has a longstanding association with Co Armagh, given our well-established tenancy at Brownlow House in Lurgan.
“We look forward to maintaining and enhancing that connection with our first-ever purpose built administrative hub; providing a contemporary facility in Loughgall, not only for our members but also the wider community.”
Lord Mayor Wilson described it as a “very exciting and important development for our borough and indeed for Co Armagh and Loughgall village itself”.
He added: “The village has such a rich Loyal Order heritage and the plans for the new headquarters published by the Imperial Grand Black Chapter will add significantly to the historical assets of the area.
“I wish the Sir Knights well as they press ahead with their important plans and it was great to be able to host the Institution at the Palace to launch this project.”
Pictures, inset from main image: Senior members of the Imperial Grand Black Chapter with Lord Mayor, Alderman Gareth Wilson, at the Armagh reception; Imperial Grand Registrar Billy Scott (right) with son, David; Assistant Sovereign Grand Master William Baillie and wife, Diane; Imperial Grand Treasure David Livingstone and wife, Lorraine; Colin Cunningham and Angela Cobb in the Lord Mayor’s parlour; and (from left) Imperial Grand Treasurer, David Livingstone, Sovereign Grand Master, Millar Farr, and Imperial Grand Registrar, Billy Scott at the reception at the Palace.
