150th anniversary of County Tyrone Grand Black Chapter celebrated in Newtownstewart

For the first time since 2007 all Tyrone perceptories will tak part in one demonstration to mark the 150th anniversary of the formation of the County Tyrone Grand Black Chapter.

Newtownstewart will host the Royal Black demonstration on August 29.

Eighty-four preceptories will take part in the demonstration which begins at noon on the Baronscourt Road and follows a route along Strabane Road, Mourne Park, Old Castle Road, Dublin Street, Main Street, Castle Brae, Douglas Road and Castle Brae.

The platform proceedings at 2.30pm will be chaired by Stanley McFarland, Omagh District Master. The principal speaker will be the leader of the Royal Black Institution, Millar Farr, Sovereign Grand Master.

The service of worship will be conducted by Alan Irwin, Omagh District Chaplain.

Two districts from County Armagh will join the Newtownstewart demonstration.

Approximately 17,000 members of the Royal Black Institution will be on parade at five locations across Northern Ireland, for the Last Saturday of August demonstrations.

Approximately 360 preceptories, most accompanied by bands, will take part in processions in Kilkeel, Banbridge, Newtownstewart, Portstewart and Lisburn.

The biggest event will be the Mourne demonstration in Kilkeel where 107 preceptories will be on parade in the town. It is the first time the demonstration has been held in Kilkeel since 2002.

The City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter will be in Banbridge, where 59 preceptories and 33 bands will be taking part. The platform proceedings will begin at 11.30am.

In Portstewart, 32 preceptories will take part in the demonstration. The event was last held in the town in 1999.

The County Antrim demonstration will be held in Lisburn where 79 preceptories will take part, accompanied by 75 bands. The demonstration was last held in Lisburn in 2009.The parade will begin at 12.30pm.