Cookstown hosting '˜busiest parade in years' with Tyrone Grand Lodge's Battle of the Somme centenary commemoration

Expected to be one of the biggest parades seen in Cookstown for many years, Brother Glen Gillespie said “it is a dignified way for the Orange Order to Commemorate the Battle of the Somme”.

Starting at 2.45pm sharp, involved districts are asked to assemble at two points no later than 2.30pm.

Stewartstown, Coagh and Cookstown are to assemble on the Grange Road, while Annahoe, Killyman, Castlecaulfield, Pomeroy and Benburb are to meet at Ardcomber Road.

Special guests Annahoe will be leading the parade as it moves through the town.

A spokesperson for Cookstown district has asked that everyone who attends pays good attention to traffic and follows the directions of marshals.

Parking is permitted, in agreement with the PSNI, on the hard shoulder of the main A29 Cookstown/Dungannon Road and Sandholes Road, but visitors are asked to keep the area in front of Fork Filling Station and Donaghy Building Supplies car free, as it is private property.

Brethren starting at Ardcomber Road leave first to Molesworth Presbyterian Church, after which the group leaving Grange Road will parade to Derryloran Church of Ireland.

After both meet at Molesworth, the parade will then continue on to the cenotaph for an act of remembrance.