Twelfth heat Belfast News Letter

News Letter

On perhaps the hottest July 12 ever in Northern Ireland, and what was certainly the hottest day in the province for three years, reaching 30 degrees Celsius in Magilligan, the News Letter spoke to loyal order marchers on the 2025 return Orange parade including Phillip Brett MLA as it reached Belfast city centre, asking them how they coped with the sweltering conditions. Some said it was no problem, others said it was a struggle. Video by Belfast News Letter editor Ben Lowry on July 12 2025  #BelfastParade #July12th #Heatwave #NorthernIreland

Transcript

00:01What was the heat like today?

00:03Unbelievably warm Ben. Absolutely roasted.

00:07And did some guys not make it?

00:09Some guys didn't make it, but thankfully St John's Ambulance were able to get to them in time.

00:13And you did the whole bit?

00:15Yeah.

00:16Did you make the whole distance?

00:18Yes, that would be normal Ben.

00:20Very warm Ben.

00:22And you made the whole way?

00:23Yes, sir Ben.

00:24Still to go to East Belt Park.

00:30What was the heat like?

00:32What was it for?

00:34It was extremely hot, but manageable.

00:39You did the whole distance?

00:41No, it wasn't part of it.

00:44So you walked the whole length?

00:46Yes I did.

00:47And how did it feel?

00:48Very warm, very warm.

00:50How did it feel in the heat?

00:52Absolutely brilliant.

00:54You didn't have any difficulty getting up?

00:56No.

00:57On the 12th of July?

00:58Never.

01:00Good day, Bob.

01:01Really good day.

01:02But did you make the whole distance?

01:03Yep.

01:04Yep.

01:05Yep.

01:06What was the heat like?

01:07Warm.

01:08So you went the whole way in that?

01:09Yeah.

01:10It's supposed to have been sweltering.

01:11It's supposed to have been sweltering.

01:12Did you walk the whole distance?

01:13Yep.

01:14what was what was the heat like

01:20so you went the whole way in that

01:27this must have been sweltering

01:28did you walk the whole distance

01:39yep

01:40and it must have been really unbearably hot

01:42we actually have tunics on

01:43we have a big coat on

01:44going to a field

01:45it's a lot worse than a shirt's leg

01:47and you made the whole way

01:48I made the whole way

01:49and did anybody keel over?

01:50I had a couple of feathers

01:52and I threw it back

01:53I don't know what I want to do

01:55where are you over from?

01:56Scotland

01:57and how hot was it out there?

01:59very very hot

02:00but you made it the whole way?

02:01really?

02:02really yeah

02:03so you're originally from here?

02:05originally from here yes

02:06and you live now in Newcastle Australia

02:08yes

02:09I'm just outside Newcastle Australia

02:10you made me named after Newcastle County Down

02:12might be

02:13and so you're used to this sort of heat?

02:14love it

02:15love it

02:16so you didn't find it hard?

02:17body wise yes

02:19temperature no

02:20did you make the whole distance?

02:29yes the whole distance

02:30burnt

02:31burnt

02:32burnt

02:33was it unbearable?

02:34no

02:35it was burnt

02:36still hot though

02:37very very hot

02:42we had plenty of water on route

02:44thank you everybody contributed to the water

02:46plenty of water on route

02:48and we can't fault all the followers

02:50are you all over from Glasgow?

02:52no I live here

02:53I've been living here for 25 years

02:56and this is my 25th parade here

02:59and it's amazing

03:00it must have been the hottest though

03:01it's been definitely the hottest

03:03you know what they come round and say

03:04the glorious 12th

03:06well this was the glorious 12th

03:08okay

03:10it's been the warmest day

03:12as long as I can remember

03:14the warmest you can remember

03:15in many years

03:16yeah

03:17many many years

03:18and it was probably even worse in the car

03:19oh definitely definitely

03:21you couldn't carry in people who can't walk

03:23or need a wee break

03:25and you were bringing water

03:27lots of water there

03:28lots of water yes

03:29there must have been a big need for it

03:31there was

03:32it was very popular

03:33and why couldn't you use the air conditioner?

03:35because the car probably wasn't going fast enough

03:38and generating enough

03:40so it wasn't so

03:42so what was it like?

03:52yeah it's been

03:53well as you can see

03:54it's been pretty warm

03:55sort of how

03:56so it's been a

03:57it's been a bit taxing on most people

03:58and stuff

03:59but you know we've looked after ourselves well

04:01did everybody make it?

04:02well everybody's made it

04:03you know obviously some people have

04:05taken a break here and there

04:06whatever else

04:07we've got the bomb

04:08plenty of water and stuff

04:09on the run

04:10so yeah we've looked after ourselves well

04:12and these vehicles

04:13were they providing backup?

04:15yeah they're providing backup

04:16so you'll see that there'll be

04:17some of the guys sitting in there from the lodge

04:19some of the guys from the bond

04:20and if somebody wants to put their instrument there

04:22like the drummers and stuff then

04:23they'll put them in there for a wee bit as well

04:26good luck thanks

04:27so what did you think of the temperature today?

04:29something else today

04:31just not used to this weather here in Belfast

04:34but you were able to cope?

04:35just about

04:36were you here all afternoon?

04:38were you here all afternoon?

04:39oh yes

04:40do you remember at 12th this hot?

04:42no I can't tell

04:44but it was terrible

04:45it was just too hot

04:46I really like

04:47but you know

04:48you stick it

05:08so you did the whole distance?

05:1032,000 steps

05:11still going

05:12wow

05:13biggest crowds I've ever seen in a Belfast

05:15was it

05:16it's the hottest right?

05:17definitely the hottest

05:18but it hasn't put off the crowds here today

05:20and you didn't struggle to complete it?

05:22I haven't struggled yet

05:23with still another 10,000 steps to go

05:25but we'll get there

05:26I'll pull that

05:40close it

05:41well

05:42it's your dog

05:43it's your dog

05:44no

05:45no

05:47no

05:48oh

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