The annual County Fermanagh Grand Lodge Annual Banner Mission will begin this weekend at the Enniskillen District Orange Hall.

The nightly services will focus on the faith elements as two different districts in the county work together on all aspects of the service, from choosing a band to accompany the singing, to the banner which will be spoken on, as well as readers, ushers and help for the night.

County Grand Master Mervyn Byers said: "The banner mission was founded by Roy Kells in 2002.

“It was a great idea and I think it is a great way to finish off the year, and it is a good way to have two districts working together.

“It gives you a different view of the Order itself. This is open to the public, and anyone can come to it.

"It is nice to have ministers involved as well. Normally, they speak on a banner; they'll be given a choice of whether it is the back of the banner or the front."

Mr. Byers said other counties across Ulster have developed their own banner mission, with such missions having taken place in Monaghan and Armagh in recent years.

Also speaking was Kenneth Rutledge, who is a chaplain for his lodge. He said: "It gives everybody a chance to be involved in their lodge routines of the year.

“It also gives all the folks in Fermanagh a chance at re-affirming the faith part of the Orange Order – there are two parts [of the organisation]: the culture and the faith.

"Culture is out there in the open, but the faith part of it might not be as obvious.

"It covers all the denominations, Church of Ireland to Free Presbyterian. Generally speaking, you'll have every political persuasion and every denomination in there," he added.

Also taking part during the week will be members of the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland.

Taking part is Beverley Elliott, who serves as a district chaplain. Mrs. Elliott says that people from across the county and beyond look forward to the banner mission.

She said: "The ladies are happy to be involved, because it's a Christian outreach and with the Orange Order being a Christian organisation, it is a good thing to promote both the men and the women and now the junior organisation as well.

"I look forward to it every year. The banner mission gives us all a week to stop in our busy lives and realise why we are in this organisation. We're here for a reason, and it’s our faith.”

Mrs. Elliott said she will be looking forward to volunteering with the Real Life bookshop stall, as she does every year.

Guest speakers for the 2023 banner mission include Rev. Jean Mackarel, Rev. Lindsey Farrell, Rev. Paul Thompson, Rev. Keith McIntyre, Rev. Roderic West and William Anderson, a former minister.

Over the past 10 years, the proceeds have been split, with 50 per cent going to a national charity, 25 per cent going to a Christian charity, and 25 per cent to an internal charity.

This year’s charities are Cancer Connect NI, Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons), and County Fermanagh Widows and Welfare Funds.

A plate collection for the charities is lifted during the service. Admission is free into the Mission Services, and everyone is welcome.

The Banner Mission will begin at 8pm sharp from November 5 to November 12.

The week is split with a mid-week Gospel Concert on Wednesday, November 8, and there is no service on Saturday, November 11.