Relief of Derry: Thousands watch parades

A short religious service took place at the Cenotaph at 10am to honour all those who have died in conflict, and particularly ‘The Derrys’, and a floral tribute was be laid by the Governor, Jim Brownlee, after which a Service of Thanksgiving took place at 10.30am in St Columb’s Cathedral. The guest clergyman for the service was Rev David McBeth, of All Saints Clooney.

The Crimson Players’ pageant, rewritten this year by Jonathan Burgess, took place at Carlisle Road junction at 12.30pm, after which the main procession took place, headed by the General Committee, led by Hamilton Flute Band.

The main parade began at Craigavon Bridge, and processed through the city, before heading back across the bridge to the Waterside, with a parade along Spencer Road to Irish Street. By 2pm the rain was pouring down on the Apprentices and their bands, but did nothing to dampen their spirits.

This year many more shops remained open for the event, and impromptu tea rooms were opened along the route of the parade, including those run by St Augustine’s Church at Society Street and at Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church.

The final event of the day was the return parade by the Parent Clubs and their bands.

Were you at the parades? Did you have fun? Why not share your visit using the hashtags #ReliefOfDery and #ourABODdayout and don’t forget to include us with @L_Sentinel.

You can also share your pictures of your day out on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LondonderrySentinel?ref=aymt_homepage_panel