Police surround Clyde Valley Flute Band at Apprentice Boys parade in Derry last month over Soldier F symbols on their uniforms to prevent breach of the peace
The Apprentice Boys will hold their annual commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates in the city on the first Saturday in December. The event attracts thousands of marchers, bands and spectators.
It will be the first unionist parade in the city since the Apprentice Boys march in August, when Larne based Clyde Valley Flute Band wore ‘Soldier F’ emblems on their uniforms sparking anger among the wider nationalist community.
Soldier will face a Derry court this month on two counts of murder and four of attempted murder over Bloody Sunday in January 1972.
Police tactics after the parade in stopping the band’s coach on the outskirts of Derry angered unionists and loyalists.
It ultimately led to a breakdown in the parading agreement, known as the Maiden City Accord, which had become a model for the North of Ireland to follow.
A series of meetings between the Apprentice Boys, the Bloody Sunday Trust and nationalist politicians – along with an independent inquiry into the police operation – have left all parties optimistic that the December parade will pass off peacefully.
Meetings which were described as “cordial and constructive” by the chairman of the Bloody Sunday Trust, Tony Doherty, have already taken place and others are planned in the run-up to Lundy’s Day.
Governor of the Apprentice Boys, Graham Stenhouse, said: “There has been 20 years of discussions to get us to where we were and I am sure with calm head and good intention we will get there again.
“We are hopeful that by December, the good relations that existed will have been restored.”
“I do welcome the admission by the chief constable that the actions by the police on August 10 were regrettable.”
Policing Board member and Apprentice Boy, Gary Middleton MLA quizzed the chief constable about the policing operation at August’s parade during this week’s meeting.
Police stop Clyde Valley Flute Band bus on the outskirts of Derry last month
“As public representatives we are now left to deal with the consequences of what happened. Confidence in the PSNI has been damaged as a result, and it is important that this is restored.
“Important lessons must be understood by the police. I welcome that the chief constable has committed to a review of the practices from that day by introducing an independent review of the policing operation.”
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