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Apprentice Boys of Derry: Thousands attending Londonderry parade Apprentice Boys of Derry: Police chief says city parade was 'exemplary'
(about 3 hours later)
Up to 35,000 people are in Londonderry for the annual Relief of the City commemorations, organised by the Apprentice Boys of Derry.Up to 35,000 people are in Londonderry for the annual Relief of the City commemorations, 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 main parade has passed through the city centre without incident.
The event passed off without incident in August 2012 and 2013. Police commander Stephen Cargin has described it as one of the most peaceful in his 30-year career.
Leaders across the political divide in Northern Ireland have appealed for tolerance and respect during this year's commemoration. He said the parade had been "exemplary" with no-one arrested. He said there had been almost a carnival-like atmosphere in the city.
Ahead of the parade, Mr Brownlee said: "This is an historical event, it carries no threat to anyone. "The partnership working that has gone into the planning of this has obviously paid off. I can't remember a parade that has gone so well, with no arrests in the city and a really good feel around the city as well," he said.
"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. "I can't remember a parade as peaceful as this and I've been in policing around this city for about 28 years.
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. "We have just come out of the City of Culture year which has left a huge legacy for the city and I think today is legacy and testimony to that."
The commemoration began overnight with the firing of a cannon on the city's walls at midnight. The commemoration also passed off without incident in the last two years.
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. Ahead of this year's parade, leaders across the political divide in Northern Ireland appealed for tolerance and respect.
A wreath-laying service took place at the cenotaph in the Diamond. The governor of the Apprentice Boys, Jim Brownlee, said: "This is an historical event, it carries no threat to anyone.
"It marks a very significant period in this city's history."
About 500 police officers have been on duty in the city, but a spokesperson said they had expected it to be a relatively low-key security operation.
The commemoration began at midnight with the firing of a cannon on the city's walls.
An initial march around Derry's walls took place at 09:30 BST on Saturday, followed by a Church of Ireland service in St Columb's Cathedral.
A wreath-laying service also took place at the cenotaph in the Diamond.
A theatrical re-enactment of the ending of the siege was performed at noon, before the main parade got under way from Craigavon Bridge.A theatrical re-enactment of the ending of the siege was performed at noon, before the main parade got under way from Craigavon Bridge.
About 7,000 Apprentice Boys, accompanied by 144 bands and supporters, are taking part in the main march. About 7,000 Apprentice Boys, accompanied by 144 bands and supporters, have been 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".