Bro Robin Matthews on Parade at St Patrick's Day Parade in Ballymena 14 March 2009

William the Third Prince of Orange is known to have had a significant influence on most of the political institutions that are in place today, not to mention a famous victory at the Battle the Boyne in 1690. King William achieved much in his life time which has been well documented in history, and also in the Orange Institution today.

One of the leading Brethren in County Antrim today Bro William R Matthews (Robin) to his friends could also lay claim to the title "William the Third". Bro Robin's Grandfather and Father were both William and indeed the name goes back to previous generations of the Matthews family.

Like his father before him Robin was brought up in the Orange traditions and he followed his dad into the lecturing fraternity soon after joining the Order in 1969. A member of the Ross L.O.L.515, he achieved his lecturers certificate in 1976 and has been instructing new candidates joining the Order ever since.

A member of Moorfields Flute Band since 1958, Robin is an accomplished drum major who has trained two world champions during his time. He started in the band playing the triangles as a kid and followed his father into the drum corp. His associations with bands continued with rolls in Kells and Connor Accordion, Killycouggan Accordion and Cullybackey Pipe Band.

A life long follower of Glasgow Rangers F.C., Robin travelled to the see one of Rangers greatest triumphs in Barcelona in the 1972 European Cup Winners Cup Final. A more than useful footballer himself Robin played amateur football for Ballynure Old Boys and N.I.E.S. in the Ballymena Saturday Morning League.

Robin's other main interest outside the Orange Institution is a keen collector of model railways. Our reporter got an astonishing preview of Robin's well preserved collection of 00 gauge trains and railways dating back to 1956. He has a rolling stock of over 140 locomotives and a vast array of wagons and carriages. Most of his recent additions reflect the modern day Scots Rail theme.

Robin checks out the extensive layouts of his 00 gauge model railways.

A retired engineer with Northern Ireland Electricity Robin devotes much of his time to his words "the greatest organisation on earth" and became Deputy County Grand Master of County Antrim in November 2007. He is very well placed to see the Institution grow and highlighted the fact that Ballymena District saw an increase in membership in 2008 for the first time in 22 years. People are joining the Order for all the right reasons now, whereby a number of years back especially during the troubles this was not the case says Robin.

Anybody wishing to join the Loyal Order could have no better example of a true and faithful Brother Orangeman who has instructed many of today's Orangemen in Ballymena and in County Antrim.