Sir Knights get ready for Last Saturday
TENS of thousands of Sir Knights will take to the streets of Northern Ireland on Saturday as this year's parade season reaches a fitting finale.
A total of six demonstrations are being held by the Royal Black Institution across the Province on the traditional Last Saturday.
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Five of the six counties are hosting a demonstration, with Co Tyrone hosting two separate parades.
Sir Knights in Fermanagh held a successful demonstration earlier this month, as is long-established, to mark the Battle of Newtownbutler in 1689.
Up to 40,000 participants are expected to be in attendance across the various venues with many more watching from the sidelines.
The largest gathering will take place in Dromore, Co Down as members of approximately 120 preceptories representing a total of 13 districts descend on the town, accompanied by some 100 bands.
This parade will include the biggest preceptory turnout, Elijah's Chosen Few RBP 208 from Kilkeel, which has a membership of 250 alone.
The smallest demonstration will take place in Sion Mills as 30 preceptories from the surrounding border area congregate at the west Tyrone village.
As is traditional, Belfast-based Sir Knights hold their annual demonstration outside of the city. This year, their parade venue is Portadown where a large contingent of visitors is expected from Scotland.
Sir Knights will also be on the march in Ballyclare, Londonderry and Dungannon.
Imperial Grand Registrar Billy Scott is expecting an "excellent day" for the institution as they bring the curtain down on another successful marching season.
"The Last Saturday is the last of the major demonstrations of the summer and is traditionally very much a family occasion," he said.
"This year we are looking forward to something similar and are hoping and praying for favourable weather conditions."
The procession through the town centre commences at 12.30pm followed by a religious service at 2pm.
Guest preacher at the service will be Sir Knight the Rev Stephen McKay from London, a member of RBP 270.
Resolutions will be proposed by principal speaker, Sir Knight Vencil Crymble, County Grand Master.
Guests are expected from England and Scotland including Sir Knight Alan Goodie, Past Grand Master of Scotland.
PORTADOWN
Following the traditional morning procession in Belfast, the main demonstration will be held in Portadown with the cooperation of Portadown District Chapter.
All seven City Districts will take part, comprising over 70 preceptories and bands.
This demonstration marks the centenary of the City of Belfast Black Benevolent Fund. Proceedings in Portadown commence with a drumhead service at 11.30am at Brownstown Road where the resolutions will be proposed by the new City Grand Master, Sir Knight William Mawhinney, followed by a circular procession through the town centre and back to Brownstown Road.
A large contingent of visitors from Scotland are expected including the Grand Master of Scotland, Sir Knight William Hek and the Grand Master of England, Sir Knight Albert Hindley.
DROMORE
The Co Down demonstration will be hosted by Lower Iveagh District Chapter, marking the district chapter’s 160th Anniversary.
All 13 districts within Co Down will take part – nearly 120 preceptories in all accompanied by bands.
The main procession through the town centre to the demonstration field at Lurgan Road commences at 12 noon with the proceedings at the platform commencing at 2.15pm.
The chairman will be Sir Knight Jackie Fairbairn, County Grand Master and the principal speaker Sir Knight Samuel Black, Assistant Sovereign Grand Master. The preacher at the service of worship will be Sir Knight Raymond Adams, an Imperial Grand Chaplain of the institution.
LONDONDERRY
This year’s Co Londonderry demonstration will be held in the Maiden City.
All four districts in the county will participate – over 35 preceptories in all – accompanied by bands and the event will be hosted by the city of Londonderry District Chapter.
Participants will gather in the Waterside and make their way from Duke Street and Bond Street to the cityside via the top deck of the Craigavon Bridge at approximately 11.15am.
The parade will then make its way through the city, finishing at Wilton Park.
The principal speaker at the religious service will be Sir Knight Colin Whiteside, Assistant Sovereign Grand Master and many visitors are expected from Co Donegal.
DUNGANNON
The south Tyrone demonstration will feature Sir Knights from the county as well as neighbouring Armagh.
About 70 preceptories, each accompanied by a band, are expected to take part.
The processional route is a circular one through the town centre from the field on Moy Road. The main procession commences at 12 noon and the platform proceedings at 2.15pm.
The preacher at the service of worship will be Sir Knight the Rev Thomas Greer, County Grand Chaplain of Antrim and the principal speakers will be the new Sovereign Grand Master the Most Worshipful Sir Knight Millar Farr and Sir Knight William Abernethy, Imperial Grand Treasurer.
Many visiting preceptories from counties Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal are expected to take part.
SION MILLS
The smallest demonstration will comprise the districts of Omagh, Strabane and Castlederg under the auspices of Omagh District Chapter.
About 30 preceptories are expected together with visitors from counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan.
The procession will parade through the centre of the village commencing from the demonstration field on the Omagh Road at 1pm with the religious service commencing at 2.30pm.
The preacher will be Sir Knight the Rev Nigel Reid, District Chaplain of Omagh, and the principal speaker will be Sir Knight William H Scott, Imperial Grand Registrar.
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
