Author: David Hoey

New Club opened in Corby

It was a great pleasure to travel to Corby, England, to install a new Charter for a Murray Club in Corby on Saturday 18th May.  Our thanks to Governor Bro. Graeme Stenhouse and General Secretary Bro. William Moore for joining the Murray Parent Club President Bro. Gordon McMorris and Secretary Bro. David Hoey and assisting with the day’s formalities.

The Charter Installation and the inaugural meeting of Corby Branch of the Murray Club Apprentice Boys of Derry was held in Great Oakley Village Hall, Corby, attended by Officers of General Committee, the Murray Parent Club, the No Surrender Parent Club, the English Amalgamated Committee, SAMS Murray Branch Club (Liverpool), Thames & Avon Murray Branch Club, Greenock Murray Branch Club, Surrey Campsie Branch Club, Manchester & Salford Campsie Branch Club, and members of Motherwell Walker Club.

The meeting included enrolment of two new members. Diplomas were presented to many of the 13 founding members who had been Made in Londonderry as plans for the Club developed.

There was a great sense of occasion and Brotherhood at this event. This was a great occasion for the Murray Club, establishing a new Club in the East Midlands where there had not been a presence for the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry for over twenty years.

Easter Monday in Enniskillen 2024

Easter Monday is the first big day in the calendar of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry. Enniskillen was an outstanding event for the Association. Organised excellently by the South West Amalgamated Committee the parade ran smoothly. The weather was kind. Media reports noted the number of young members on parade.

335th Annual Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates

On the evening before the Commemoration the regular meeting of the Parent Club included the Initiation of twenty-four candidates, including nine to be the core of the proposed Club in Corby, six from our oldest Club, Partick and others from Donemana, Newtownstewart, Manorcunningham and Greenock. It was a tremendous end to a year of exceptional numbers being Derry Made into the Murray Club.

Australia Murray had recalled the 335th Annual Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates earlier in the day, in Adelaide, which included the installation of a new Officer team. All the very best to the Club as it continues to establish itself, consolidating and growing, keeping alive the memory of the Brave 13 on the far side of the world.

There was a huge turnout of Apprentice Boys for the Annual Commemoration In Londonderry, reflecting a year of outstanding growth for the Association across all Clubs.

The Service of Thanksgiving in St. Columb’s Cathedral was packed, and with many standing at the back.  A wreath was laid on the Siege Heroes Mound. The day ended with the burning of Lundy, with the Mitchelburne Club have the honour to keep the traditions of the Association for this year.

The link to the gallery of images is here.

Donemana Initiation of Officers

Late November through to early January is a busy time, with Officers of the Parent Club endeavouring to have at least one representative at a Branch Club’s Installation of Officers, if at all practicable. Donemana Murray made visiting a little easier, holding its Installation of Officers in the Apprentice Boys Room in the Memorial Hall. The Club organised a tour of the Siege Museum preceding the meeting, and arranged refreshment to follow. Congratulations to the Club for the initiative and all the best to the Officers, old and new, for the year ahead.

English Amalgamated AGM and Parade, Blackpool

The English Amalgamated Committee held its AGM and Parade for the second year running in Blackpool, set to be a popular annual event. Along with the Murray Club President, Gordon McMorris, this was an excellent opportunity to meet with our English Clubs, including SAMS Liverpool, Bootle, Lancashire & Cheshire, Thames & Avon, as well as Partick from Scotland. English brethren were joined by many from Scotland and from Northern Ireland. Numbers were an increase on last year, and there were two evenings of entertainment, one with the EAC and a second organised by SAMS Murray which took the pressure on numbers that the EAC venue could accommodate. In addition to meeting our current Clubs we were able to spend some time with members of the potential club to be based in Corby. A very worthwhile weekend.

Australia Murray man Derry Made

A fourth member of Murray Australia was Made in 2023 at the regular meeting of the Parent Club in October. It has been very encouraging to see the steady flow of Members from Australia taking the opportunity to be Made while visiting in Northern Ireland or making the trip especially. Joseph Lynd, from Cairns, was visiting family in Northern Ireland and it was great to be able to show him around and to be part of his Initiation.

 

Annual visit to the Graves of Col. Mitchelburne and Col. Murray.

The Murray Club joined with the Mitchelburne Club for the Annual Visit to the Graves of Col. Mitchelburne and Col. Adam Murray on 17th September. This was the first time the two Clubs were able to join in the Visit to the Graves since 2019. The President, Gordon McMorris laid at wreath at the Grave of Col. Adam Murray. Members of the Parent Club were joined at the event by members from Ballywillan Murray and Donemana Murray.

Glasgow Clubs’ Parade, Relief of Derry

The traditional Glasgow Clubs parade for the Relief of Derry takes place on the weekend following the Londonderry Commemorations and was organised by Possilpark Murray. Thanks to Michael Falconer, Secretary, for all his work to make the day a success, along with all those who played a part in making the day a success. Following the Parade the Parent Club Secretary enjoyed the hospitality of Possilpark at their meeting Hall.

334th Anniversary of the Relief of Derry

The Relief of Derry Commemorations on the 12th August was an exceptional day with an impressive turnout from Members.

The celebration of the 334th Anniversary of the Relief of Londonderry started on the other side of the world with the meeting of Australia Murray in Sydney, New South Wales, a little earlier this year, 29th July, with some travelling to be with us in Northern Ireland. At the special initiation meeting on the Friday evening before the big day, we had one Member made from Australia, accompanied by two Australian Brothers. Luke Williams was one of a dozen who were Derry Made that evening.

The newly Made were able to enjoy the main Commemorations on Saturday 12th. Ballinran Flute Band lead General Committee, while once again we had the Robert Graham Memorial Flute Band, from Crawfordsburn in its 50thAnniversary Year, lead the Murray Parent Club.

The link to the image Gallery is here