Drumcree may no longer be a byword for intransigent bitterness, writes Patsy McGarry
There was an unprecedented atmosphere at Drumcree yesterday. Gone was the bitter edge of previous years, with just an echo of trenchant cliché. In its place a reasonableness, a "ready to do business" approach, and a definite optimism - all previously strangers there.
Yes, we had the usual description of the Parades Commission as "an unelected quango" and criticisms of its chairman Tony Holland in remarks by Portadown District Officers, but these were mild by comparison with the past.
What was most interesting is that in speeches yesterday - and unlike the past also - there was no attack on the Garvaghy Residents' Coalition, Bríd Rodgers, and most surprisingly of all, not a word about Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith of the residents' group. In previous years he was number one bugbear. Never, but never, would Portadown Orangemen talk to him, "a convicted terrorist".
By yesterday that had changed, utterly. Yes, they would talk to him, as long as he represented the residents, said David Jones, Portadown District press officer. And what of their past position? Things change, situations change, he replied. "Things were said and happened since 1995/96, but now we go forward. If we continue to look back we are going nowhere. If we can move forward it will be to the benefit of all," he said. Yes, they were prepared to attend fact-to-face talks with the Garvaghy residents, regardless of who was elected to represent them.
Proposals from Portadown District had been forwarded to the British government about two weeks ago and they had heard nothing since, he said. He had read that the Garvaghy residents said they knew nothing of the proposals, and even if they had he could understand why they might not respond so close to the parade yesterday. Should they need clarification on the proposals - which have not been published - that too would available, he said.
He hoped there would be a response sooner rather than later, but they were prepared to wait as long as it took. He was aware the civic forum idea - said to be included in the proposals and whereby everyone in Portadown would get together to look at the future of the town - was not a new idea and that it could be seen "as little more than a talking shop". But it would be a very foolish person indeed who would ignore the views of such a body, he felt. He indicated it might form a context for discussion on the parade going down the Garvaghy Road also.
He was not aware of any opposition by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland to Portadown District's proposals for face-to-face talks with the Garvaghy Road Residents, though Grand Lodge policy opposes such talks with residents and the Parades Commission. He (Mr Jones) had spoken to Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters on Saturday night, who had said nothing. Denis Watson, secretary to the Grand Lodge, had said nothing either.
He praised efforts by the Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, to help resolve the impasse, as David Burrows did twice publicly yesterday, at the end of the service and outside.
Another churchman praised for his efforts by officers yesterday was the new president of the Methodist Church in Ireland Rev Jim Rea. He ministers at Thomas street in Portadown, which David Burrows attends. Officers also indicated that Rev Rea, who spent 20 years serving in east Belfast, got on well with people on the Garvaghy road.
Sweetness and light. Drumcree is not what it used to be.