PICTURES: Dispersing Apprentice Boys parades ‘will bring recruitment boom’

Billy Moore made the comments to the News Letter following vastly scaled-down commemoration in the city, where only a fraction of the normal numbers of bands and brethren took to the streets.

This was because the ABOD leadership had rescinded invitations for members and supporters across Northern Ireland to congregate in the Maiden City as usual for the annual celebrations.

The decision was made due to the ongoing Covid crisis.

This all meant that ABOD members in Londonderry planned and executed the traditional events more-or-less alone, with little outside support, and that instead of coming to the city local ABOD groups had been advised to stage commemorations in their own areas.

“We celebrated the 332nd anniversary of the relief of Londonderry with much-restricted numbers, however the day went off exactly as planned,” said Mr Moore, the general secretary.

“It was a special occasion as usual, and the local clubs fulfilled the usual traditional events.”

This included the firing of a cannon on the eve of celebrations, followed by marching the circumference of the walls on Saturday, albeit with eight bands and 800 marchers, rather than the typical 140-plus bands and up to 12,000 marchers.

But the fact so many loyalists marked the day in their own neighbourhoods instead of Londonderry could have a positive effect, said Mr Moore.

The Parades Commission had been notified of roughly 50 ABOD demonstrations across Northern Ireland on Saturday.

“It was an opportunity for many clubs to combine together in their own local towns and villages and parade,” he said.

“That to me is a good PR exercise, an opportunity for our branch clubs to attract and encourage new members.

“It was a great opportunity for recruitment into the local clubs, and I’m sure – matter of fact I’m positive – that will bear fruit and good results in the near future, and we’ll see an influx of new members into our association.

“There’s no doubt about it – the local parades in local areas will be a great PR exercise for our organisation and certainly be a great recruitment drive. I’ve no doubt in the coming months we’ll see an influx of new members joining many of the clubs throughout Northern Ireland.”

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