30k attend ABOD ‘Derry Day’ and Easter parades

Onlookers capture the scene on their mobile phone cameras as the effigy of Lundy the Traitor goes up in flames on Saturday. LS49-112KM

The survey on parading was recently commissioned by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. RSM McClure Watters, strangely omitted to mention the ABOD Shutting of the Gates, parade in its ‘The Socio-economic Impact of the Traditional Protestant Parading Sector in Northern Ireland” report.

But it points out that: “An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people attend the Apprentice Boys of Derry annual Easter and Relief of Derry commemorations.”

It says there are roughly 225 Apprentice Boys clubs, each with an average membership of 33. In total it estimates there are 7,425 Apprentice Boys.

The consultants said the Boys’ Relief of Derry parade on August 12 generates around £2k for the local council.

“In Londonderry/Derry, 40 street licences were issued for the Apprentice Boys March (August),” the report explains.

It says: “Derry City Council charge £50 for an application with additional fees depending on the receptacle used (car, van or stall, etc.) This means that on average, per year, there is £2k for applications for the Apprentice Boys March.”

The figures are from 2011 and 2012 but the survey was relatively thin. Just 19 out of 191 respondents (10 per cent) who took part were from Londonderry.

UUP MLA Michael Copeland asked Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín to outline the positive points which came from the report and how her Department would use it. She replied: “My Department will take account of relevant research findings outlined in the Department of Social Development (DSD) funded report.”