Latest news with #ApprenticeBoysofDerry
Sunday World
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Protestant fraternity ‘unreservedly apologise' after pictures show members urinating near homes
An image of what appears to be bandsmen urinating relieving themselves along the Culmore Road area of Derry. Members of the Apprentice Boys appearing to urinate in the Culmore Road area of the city. The Apprentice Boys of Derry have issued an apology after an image surfaced of what appears to be members of the group urinating near homes in the city during a parade on Saturday. The general secretary of the Protestant fraternal society, David Hoey, said he could only 'unreservedly apologise' for the 'disgusting' behaviour of some members during the Relief of Derry commemoration. An image of what appears to be bandsmen urinating relieving themselves along the Culmore Road area of the city has been widely circulated on social media. 'We have had messages from associations across the country saying how disgusted they were about this," Mr Hoey told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme as he vowed to identify those involved. Members of the Apprentice Boys appearing to urinate in the Culmore Road area of the city. News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 "The governor made it clear last week that if you come to Londonderry, you respect Londonderry and you respect the city. "We can only unreservedly apologise to the people of Culmore Road – they should not have had to see that.' More than 10,000 participants and over 100 bands took part on the largest loyal order parade and marks the anniversary of the ending of the siege of the city during the Williamite wars in 1689. Stressing that the city is 'at the heart of our association', Mr Hoey said that actions of some members 'disrespected the city' and under minded the purpose of the day. "What was an otherwise successful day, let's say, as it was a double-decker bus, about 40 or 50 people have ruined our image and created a social media storm,' he continued. "It simply shouldn't have happened, and it has undermined all the good work that we have done over the past six months and it is unacceptable. "We are absolutely across every detail of the parade, and we have a new team this year working hard to get things more right moving forward.' SDLP MLA, Mark H Durkan, expressed concerns about a pattern behaviour in recent years. 'Every year Derry opens its doors for the Apprentice Boys' march and other cultural events that are important to the unionist community," he told BBC News NI. "While the vast majority of people take part in good faith and with positive intent, we have seen a small minority creating issues over the past few years. "These events have for a long time stood as hallmark of tolerance and respect in the north, but it must be reciprocated." Meanwhile Sinn Féin MLA, Pádraig Delargy, took to social media to demand that organisers take responsibility. 'Once again, visiting loyalist bands have shown a disgusting lack of respect for the people of Derry,' he wrote. "Those organising these events must take responsibility and ensure we don't see a repeat of these scenes and other offensive behaviour."
Glasgow Times
07-08-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Number of parades held in Glasgow revealed: here's how many
For the last year, 2024/25, there were 240 public processions across the city. The majority were held by loyalist protestant organisations, outnumbering all the others combined. For the 12 months, there were 153 from just three organisations. READ NEXT:Derelict landmark city centre Glasgow building sold to developer The Orange Order held the most with 118 parades, the Apprentice Boys of Derry held 25, and the Black Institute organised 10. There were five Irish republican marches and two held by Trade Unions. A council report stated there were 12 organised by Bands, one funeral and 67 categorised as Other. The total was lower than the year before when 264 were held, mostly due to the Orange Order holding more with 135 processions and the others remaining mostly the same. The decrease in processions was 9%. READ NEXT:Pro Palestine protester has 'draconian' city centre ban lifted Most of the processions were held in the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward, with 105. There were 40 in Calton where a lot of Orange Order and Apprentice Boys of Derry parades start and end. Govan had 22 and Partick East/Kelvindale, where Kelvin Way and Kelvingrove Park is, had 16. A council report by Mairi Millar, director of legal and administration, stated: 'While the vast majority of processions pass without difficulty and in compliance with the requirements set out in the Code of Conduct, it is acknowledged that in a small number of cases there have been complaints and concerns regarding the conduct of participants or followers. 'It is also recognised that there are a number of challenges to the city posed by processions, which include disruption to public transport and traffic flow, particularly where the procession passes through the city centre, as well as disruption to businesses, retail and tourism.' The council said procedures are in place to deal with any issues before marches take place. The report added: 'In order to mitigate the impact of larger-scale processions as much as possible, multiagency meetings are held to review the procession management plan, stewarding plan and arrangements for assembly and dispersal. 'A debrief meeting may be held after the procession to review the management of the procession and compliance with the Policy and Code of Conduct, with any learning points identified for future similar processions. 'Where issues have been identified with regard to the proposed route or timing of a procession, agreement on proposed changes are normally reached through negotiations and discussions led by the council's Processions Officer.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
We ask the Apprentice Boys of Derry what they stand for
For some, it is a celebration of culture history and identity for others, it is a display of bigotry and sectarianism better left in the past. The Apprentice Boys of Derry held their biggest Scottish parade of the year in Larkhall with more than 50 associated clubs, each with a band, taking to the streets, with many more following or watching from the side. READ NEXT:Rachel Reeves says Labour will end use of hotels for asylum seekers The Glasgow Times was invited by the organisation to come along and speak to its leaders to find out what it is all about. Larkhall's streets were decked out in red, white and blue for the day with Union flags hanging from lampposts, windows and in gardens along the route. Late morning in Birkenshaw Park, the parade was assembling, with groups from Glasgow, Lanarkshire and beyond. Men are meeting and greeting, shaking hands, dressed in suits and crimson collarettes, carrying white gloves and bowler hats. (Image: Colin Mearns) The flutes and drums were starting to be heard from the bands, the same bands that accompany Orange Order parades. (Image: Colin Mearns) READ NEXT:Rise in suspected drug deaths in Glasgow so far this year David Hoey, general secretary of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, was in demand, being introduced to members from around Scotland. (Image: Colin Mearns) We asked him what the purpose of the organisation is, which has 52 branch clubs in Scotland and many in Glasgow, and what the parade is all about. He answered that it is 'principally, a historical, commemorative organisation.' He said: 'The organisation has as its main purpose to celebrate the siege of Derry and the brave 13, but particularly the two big events are: the shutting of the gates, which is usually December when the Gates of Londonderry were closed against the forces of King James and then the relief of Derry when the city was finally relieved after 105 day siege in August.' 'That,' he said, 'is the primary purpose'. Not everyone, however, can join and commemorate this historic event. Mr Hoey explains: 'The criteria for membership is male and Protestant.' 'In terms of local areas, people would have to know each other and be invited, or apply and they would have to be known. 'But other than that, there's no particular criteria.' The male-only element, he said, is a support network, a place for men to come together and help one another. Mr Hoey said: 'It's a good place to meet. I keep telling people when they ask about it being male, it's the biggest men's shed organisation available because men get together, they meet. 'We're getting a remarkable number of young members into the organisation now and I think they're in where they can get people they can learn from. He added: 'They can learn skills. You have to run an organisation, you get positions on committee. You organise some of the events, and you get some of the young people involved. 'So, it's very much people coming together to try and organise and to help each other.' (Image: Colin Mearns) As well as organising parades, he said branch clubs rea active in the community and fundraise for their benevolent fund. Asked what they do when not on parade, Mr Hoey joked they are "organising the next one". He added: "There's a lot of activity, but everything is really geared to the big days. "There's occasionally a church service, but it's predominantly for those two big days." The events from 1689 being celebrated, he said, are still relevant today. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) Mr Hoey said: 'I think it's largely identity and place, so it gives people a sense of belonging. 'There are a lot of the characteristics of those who were besieged, I think form the identity of the Protestant loyalist culture, if you like. 'And that's what people identify, the determination, the resilience, the preparedness to basically stick it out, but also to create dialogue, to try and change things as well. 'And we're very, very keen that we work outside.' The other exclusive criteria, the Protestant only rule, has led to claims of sectarianism and accusations of being anti-catholic. Mr Hoey said such claims are rooted in ignorance and said he and his organisation is willing to have dialogue to prevent any flashpoints at parades. (Image: Colin Mearns) The Larkhall parade passed with no incident but in Glasgow, there have been protests, particularly around passing a specific Roman Catholic church, and previously in Northern Ireland, there was well well-documented, high-profile, sustained and violent confrontation. Mr Hoey said: 'I think the biggest opposition comes from the people who are most ignorant of what it's all about and imagine some offence or imagine that it's against them. 'It's really not. It's for us.' On the anti-catholic accusation, he added: 'People who want to say that don't want the parades to happen and they're basically throwing or projecting sectarianism onto the parades, but they have no basis for saying that. 'This is a culture. It is on parade. It's not trying to offend anybody. It's simply walking down a very long street and being out and saying we are the association. 'We are remembering a very important part of British history and that is what the day is about. 'It's not about others or offending or anything else. It's about the identity of those people and saying this is us, we're out here having a good day with our brothers, with our friends, with our families watching.' He used the example of Northern Ireland to illustrate how communities can work together. Mr Hoey said: 'The association, 25 years ago, was the first to engage outside of itself, you know, to go to go into the Parades Commission, to work with the local community, to work with the business community because we had a really bad time with violent opposition in Londonderry and there was no violence back. 'Our approach was to engage, and I know here in Scotland the SAC (Scottish Amalgamated Committee) has been working closely with the Centre for Good Relations, again to try and open up avenues of dialogue. 'People say 'the other' but there are lots of communities in Scotland now.' They are, he said, willing to 'work in formal channels' and 'open up' as far as possible. He added, however, there are always people who just don't want you there, and it's very hard to talk to people who simply are impractically opposed and don't want to talk.' The approach in Northern Ireland, he said, took a long time but has worked but he said it is an ongoing process. He added: "We have kept working ever since because you can never stop on that process. Stopping is the worst thing you could do.' He said the willingness to engage must be a two-way process, adding: "You can do your best to reach out. But you know you hold out your hand, but if. Someone doesn't. Want to shake it's not our job to make them.'
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Who are Apprentice Boys of Derry who march in Glasgow this week?
The Apprentice Boys of Derry originates, and is based in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It has eight 'parent clubs' that have 'branch clubs' in Scotland, with several in Glasgow, England, the Republic of Ireland and Canada. It is a Protestant, loyalist organisation with an estimated 10,000 members worldwide. Its stated aim is to commemorate the siege of Derry in December 1688 when 13 apprentice boys closed the city gates to the troops of King James II. READ NEXT:9 loyalist parades in Glasgow on Saturday - all the roads affected The siege lasted until the following July, with thousands dying from starvation. Until today, the organisation marks both the 'shutting of the gates', sparking the beginning of the siege where the loyalist 'no surrender' slogan originates, and the 'Relief of Derry' when the siege ended. The organisation is separate from the Orange Order but some people are members of both. ABOD members wear crimson coloured collarettes. The organisation says it is a 'Christian, historical and cultural organisation, committed to maintaining the spirit of courage and liberty displayed by the Defenders of Londonderry in 1688-1689.' READ NEXT:'Don't blame us': Taxis hit back in Glasgow city centre transport row In November last year, the Apprentice Boys of Derry Bridgeton had a march halted by police when it was met by protesters attempting to stop in passing a catholic church. The protest centred around St Alphonsus Church in London Road, where in 2018 the priest Canon Tom White was spat on by a man following an Orange Order parade. Call it Out, campaigners against anti-Irish racism and anti-Catholic bigotry said the march was anti- Catholic and was intended to intimidate Catholics. Several of the Glasgow branches are holding marches this Saturday in the city.
The National
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Orange Order 'not divisive', says Tory Hamilton by-election candidate
Richard Nelson, who is running for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat, insisted that he could represent all constituents despite his affiliations, also confirming he was a member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Both groups have long been accused of sectarianism. In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, Nelson confirmed his membership of both organisations and was asked whether they were compatible with holding elected office. He said: 'We are law-abiding organisations. We pledge allegiance to His Majesty the King. And, you know, we are not divisive at all, and people have their right to their own religion.' Pressed on whether he would be able to represent everyone in the community, Nelson said: 'I always do. I always have. Last week, I met with the parish priest in Larkhall – not just the parish priest, but also another priest. READ MORE: Nigel Farage accuses Anas Sarwar of 'sectarianism' as he doubles down on 'racist' ad "We sat for an hour and spoke about the local community and the things that have been happening in the community. Everybody that comes to my surgery or contacts me – I do not ask what religion they are.' He added: 'People always try and target organisations with a bad brush, but we are not. The things that we do for the local charities, the local communities… that is the part that is missing with all of this.' Nelson's entry on South Lanarkshire Council's register of interests shows that he has been a member of the Netherton Covenanters Loyal Orange Lodge 233 since 2019 and is currently listed as secretary of the Scottish Amalgamated Committee of the Apprentice Boys of Derry. He is also a member of the Sir William Johnston Memorial Royal Black Preceptory 634. Between 2012 and 2023, he was a member of the Carluke No Surrender Apprentice Boys of Derry. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar ad is not racist, says Reform by-election candidate The Orange Order claims that it is 'the protection of the principles of the Protestant Reformation', which historically included the persecution of Catholics, and its modern-day critics point to its frequent marches through Irish Catholic areas and allege it promotes bigoted attitudes towards that community. Nelson also has a side-line as a comedy hypnotist and was revealed to have sworn at audience members under his spell at an event in Penicuik. Footage obtained by the Daily Record showed him shouting at participants: 'What are yous daeing, you d**k? I'm in the middle of a show here. A****holes. You and all.'
