Relief of Derry Commemoration

317th Anniversary of
The Relief of Londonderry

Saturday 12th August 2006

The highlight of the week for the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association, the Commemorative events will include the traditional Walking of the Walls, the Cenotaph, the Service of Thanksgiving, pageant and the largest Parade of the year for Apprentice Boys from across the UK and overseas. The day's events are slowly returning to the celebratory mood that once made Derry day one of the most enjoyable for the Apprentice Boys of Derry and most profitable for the City's traders as families took the opportunity to combine celebration with some shopping. Hopefully, despite troubles elsewhere, more will find a friendly environment and bring themselves and their curiosity to the City for the finale of the Maiden City Festival week.

Details & Timetables of Events

General Committee will open at 9.00am.

To ensure a prompt and orderly start to the parade, bands and Branch Clubs will not be permitted to march across Craigavon Bridge in the morning. However, Brethren are earnestly requested to. individually attend the morning service of Thanksgiving for the Relief of Derry, in St. Columb's Cathedral, as it is regarded as the most important part of the celebrations.

The Parent Clubs will assemble in Society Street at 9.15am, ready to parade on to the Walls of Londonderry at 9.30am. After completing the circuit of the Walls, the Parent Clubs and Bands will proceed to the Service of Thanksgiving in St Columb?s Cathedral at 10.30am. As the parade passes the War Memorial in the Diamond, a wreath will be laid in memory of our fallen Brethren and all those who paid the ultimate price in the defence of Civil and Religious Liberty. Bands are requested to refrain from playing at this point.

Following the Service of Thanksgiving, General Committee, Colour Party and the Crimson Players will proceed to Carlisle Roundabout. At the end of Craigavon Bridge, the Crimson Players under the direction of Norman Rossborough will perform the Pageant commemorating the Relief of Derry.

Please advise Clubs and Bands that there will be fireworks denoting the Breaking of the Boom on the Foyle and that large explosions of noise are to be expected, heralding the beginning of the main procession.

Parent Clubs and their bands will assemble in Artillery Street for the main procession.

Branch Clubs and their bands will assemble at their Marshalling Points facing Craigavon Bridge on the Waterside.

MARSHALLING AREAS FOR BANDS AND CLUBS IN THE WATERSIDE

1. Apprentice Boys of Derry Clubs - Spencer Road
2. Walker Clubs - Duke Street (outgoing lane)
3. Mitchelburne Clubs - Duke Street (outgoing lane)
4. No Surrender Clubs - Duke Street (incoming lane)
5. Browning Clubs - Duke Street (behind No Surrender Clubs)
6. Baker Clubs - Simpson's Brae (behind Browning Clubs)
7. Campsie Clubs - Clooney Terrace (behind Baker Clubs)
8. Murray Clubs - Waterside Link (incoming lane)

View full size map

The parade will move off at 12.30 sharp

...to join the Parent Clubs at Ferryquay gate.

Parent Clubs and Branch Clubs should respect the War Memorial in the Diamond by dipping their flags and banners.

Accompanying bands must stop playing in the Diamond area and any flags being carried must also be dipped. All CLUBS are INSTRUCTED to MARCH 3 DEEP and to have 2 MARSHALS who should be WEARING AN OFFICIAL ARMBAND SUPPLIED BY THEIR BRANCH CLUB.

Branch Club Marshals are reminded that one marshal must parade at the head of the band engaged by their Club.

General Committee marshals will be wearing distinctive clothing. ALL MARSHALS' INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE OBEYED.

Branch Clubs are requested to adhere strictly to the programme and make every effort to ensure that neither they or their band cause any gaps or hold-ups in the procession.

The parade will finish at May Street with Branch Clubs marching past General Committee Officers and their Parent Club.

They will then disperse at the end of May Street as follows:

• Clubs with Buses on the Limavady Road TURN RIGHT. They will find their buses parked along Limavady Road, and other side streets.
• Clubs for trains or buses on the Victoria Road TURN LEFT and proceed down the Waterside Link Road.
• Clubs for buses use the Duke Street underpass to proceed to Victoria Road.

View full size map

All Clubs are reminded that they must complete the entire parade route. Any Clubs failing to do so will automatically be fined £100 (Rule 32).

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The consumption of alcohol at our parades has been a problem of major proportions. The resolution of this problem lies at grassroots level. Presidents are reminded that they are in charge of their Clubs and should not hesitate to use their authority with Brethern who would bring discredit to the Crimson Colour. Bands must be instructed by Clubs, at the outset of the day as to how they are expected to behave. Alcohol consumed en-route to Londonderry would appear to contribute greatly to the problem. Those engaging transport must ensure that alcohol is not carried by Brethern, members of the general public or bands, while travelling to the Maiden City. Bands must be made aware of this instruction and any who do not agree to comply with this direction ought not to be engaged.

ANY CONTRAVENTION OF GENERAL COMMITTEE RULES WILL BE SEVERELY DEALT WITH

The Bells will be rung and the flags hoisted. A general wearing of the siege colour (crimson) is requested.

Signed: William Allen, Governor
Signed: William Moore, General Secretary

Catering Arrangements

The following venues will provide catering:

All Saints Church, Clooney Terrace.
Contact: Mr. Andrew Deans
7 Richill Park
Londonderry
Telephone 028 71 346527

Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, 9am - 12noon.
Contact: Mrs. Donna Best
214 The Fountain
Londonderry
Telephone 028 71 262484

Information

Toilet facilities are available at the following locations:

• Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall
• Fountain (portable)
• Glendermott Road (portable)
• Spencer Road Car Park
• Waterside Railway Station (portable)
• Rossdowney Park Area (portable)

The St. Johns' Ambulance will be located at the Duke Street Roundabout Area.

Official Car Badges

These are available to Parent Clubs, Branch Clubs and Amalgamated Committees on receipt of the following particulars in writing to the General Secretary on or before Thursday 27th July 2006.

Required information:

• Club or Committee
• Name of Driver

NO OTHER CARS WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE PROCESSION

Download the required form here.

Disabled Drivers' Pass

Disabled Drivers' passes will be issued only to those in possession of the Recognised Disabled Drivers' Car Sticker upon receipt of the following information on or before Thursday 27th July 2006.

Those in possession of a Disabled Drivers' Pass may park on the Dungiven Road (L.H.Side) incoming.

Required information:

• Name
• Address
• Postcode
• Colour of Vehicle
• Registration No.
• Name of Driver

Download the required form here.

No other cars will be permitted in the procession

All car passes will be posted to those concerned by Tuesday 1st August 2006