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Apprentice Boys of Derry: Thousands expected at Londonderry march Apprentice Boys of Derry: Thousands attending Londonderry parade
(about 1 hour later)
About 35,000 people are expected in Londonderry to attend the annual Relief of the City parade, organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Up to 35,000 people are in Londonderry for the annual Relief of the City parade, organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
The event commemorates the ending of the 17th century siege of the city and is the largest single parade in Northern Ireland each year.The event commemorates the ending of the 17th century siege of the city and is the largest single parade in Northern Ireland each year.
The governor of the Apprentice Boys, Jim Brownlee, said he expected the march to be "peaceful".The governor of the Apprentice Boys, Jim Brownlee, said he expected the march to be "peaceful".
The event passed off without incident in August 2012 and 2013.The event passed off without incident in August 2012 and 2013.
Leaders across the political divide in Northern Ireland have appealed for tolerance and respect during this year's commemoration.Leaders across the political divide in Northern Ireland have appealed for tolerance and respect during this year's commemoration.
Mr Brownlee said: "This is an historical event, it carries no threat to anyone.Mr Brownlee said: "This is an historical event, it carries no threat to anyone.
"It marks a very significant period in this city's history and we hope that everyone comes. Enjoy the day and come and have a peaceful day in Londonderry," he added."It marks a very significant period in this city's history and we hope that everyone comes. Enjoy the day and come and have a peaceful day in Londonderry," he added.
About 500 police officers will be on duty in the city during the parade, but a spokesperson said they expected it to be a relatively low-key security operation. Re-enactment
About 500 police officers are on duty in the city, but a spokesperson said they expected it to be a relatively low-key security operation.
The commemoration began overnight with the firing of a cannon on the city's walls at midnight.The commemoration began overnight with the firing of a cannon on the city's walls at midnight.
An initial march around Derry's walls is due to take place at 09:30 BST, followed by a Church of Ireland service in St Columb's Cathedral. An initial march around Derry's walls took place at 09:30 BST, followed by a Church of Ireland service in St Columb's Cathedral.
A theatrical re-enactment of the ending of the siege will be performed at noon, before the main parade gets under way from Craigavon Bridge at 12:30 BST.A theatrical re-enactment of the ending of the siege will be performed at noon, before the main parade gets under way from Craigavon Bridge at 12:30 BST.
About 7,000 Apprentice Boys, accompanied by 144 bands and supporters, are due to take part in the main march. About 7,000 Apprentice Boys, accompanied by 144 bands and supporters, are taking part in the main march.
The memorial ceremony is held on the second Saturday in August each year, to commemorate the ending of the 105-day siege of the city in August 1689.The memorial ceremony is held on the second Saturday in August each year, to commemorate the ending of the 105-day siege of the city in August 1689.
The siege took place against the background of the deposed Catholic King James II's attempt to regain his crown from his Protestant son-in-law, King William III.The siege took place against the background of the deposed Catholic King James II's attempt to regain his crown from his Protestant son-in-law, King William III.
Also known as William of Orange, or King Billy, the new monarch was supported by Protestants in Derry, who shut the gates of the walled city to keep out the advancing Jacobite army.Also known as William of Orange, or King Billy, the new monarch was supported by Protestants in Derry, who shut the gates of the walled city to keep out the advancing Jacobite army.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry Association has described the three-and-half-month blockade as the "longest siege in British military history".The Apprentice Boys of Derry Association has described the three-and-half-month blockade as the "longest siege in British military history".