The Portadown Orange District Master, Mr Harold Gracey, spent another Christmas Day at Dumcree Hill in continuation of his parade protest.
Mr Gracey was joined by his wife, Ingrid, and other members of his family at the caravan behind Drumcree Parish Church, where the Secretary of State, Mr Peter Mandelson, visited last Wednesday for talks with the Portadown Orange leaders.
During the day Mr Gracey was visited by scores of Orangemen extending greetings.
Portadown lodge members and brethren from other districts attended services in Drumcree Parish Church on Christmas morning and yesterday morning, conducted by the rector, the Rev John Pickering.
"Many people travelled to Drumcree Hill on Christmas Day to support Harold on the quiet, dignified stand he has taken in support of our legitimate right to complete our church parade along the traditional route of the Garvaghy Road back to Portadown town centre," said Mr David Jones, a press officer for the lodge.
Mr Jones said Portadown Orangemen would gather for a watch-night service with their District Master at Drumcree Hill on New Year's Eve to see in the New Year and millennium.
"Our stand over the parade issue has not weakened and it will be demonstrated to be as strong as ever in the year 2000," said Mr Jones.