Last Saturday demonstration in Portrush

Approximately 17,000 members of the Institution, from 390 preceptories, will parade in Belfast, Larne, Ballynahinch, Portrush, Cookstown and Plumbridge.

There will be opportunities at most of the venues for people to contribute to the Royal Black Charity Appeal for The Alzheimer’s Society.

In the past decade the Institution has raised £420,000 for a number of different charities and this year it has chosen to support the Alzheimer’s Society.

The Sovereign Grand Master Millar Farr said: “We are delighted to be associated with the Alzheimer’s Society and promote the excellent work they are doing. One in three people over the age of 65 will die with dementia.

“Hopefully the Royal Black Institution can raise a considerable amount of money this year to help fund research and education in this field. We would ask all our members and their families to support this very worthy cause.”

The demonstration in Portrush will have 36 preceptories representing districts in Raphoe, South Londonderry,City of Londonderry and Coleraine. The parade was last held in Portrush in 1987.

Thirty four bands will accompany the parade which begins at mid-day and will go via Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Ramore Avenue, Landsdown Road, Bath Street, Main Street and Causeway Street to the demonstration field.

The platform proceedings are at 2pm and the chairman will be Ivan Kelly, County Grand Master of Londonderry.

The principal speaker will be Robert Dane, Assistant Sovereign Grand Master.