Due to the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth this was not the usual joint event with the Mitchelburne Club, with each Club attending separately for a simple wreath laying, rather than the usual short Service prior to a Parade to the Memorial Hall for initiations. A few Parent Club members attended our annual visit to the Murray Grave, with President, Gordon McMorris, laying the wreath and the Chaplain, David Austin, saying a short prayer.
No-one, other than perhaps the Royal Household, had a ready plan in the event of the passing of Her Majesty. The Association undertook to provide the opportunity for Members to pay respects appropriately. All meetings during the Official Period of Mourning were cancelled.
On the first Saturday following the announcement from the Palace, Apprentice Boys from all Clubs, led by the Governor and Officers of General Committee, gathered to sign the Book of Condolence in Londonderry’s Guildhall. Gordon McMorris, President, signed for the Murray Club.
Branch Clubs also took part in local events to mark the passing of Her Majesty: local Memorials serving as focal points. Pictured here are two; Upperlands Murray, and Wishaw Murray.
On the day of the Funeral the Governor, Graeme Stenhouse, Officers of General Committee and Apprentice Boys presented a special floral tribute in Honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Dean of St Columb’s Cathedral; remaining in St Columb’s Cathedral Londonderry to watch The State Funeral of Her Majesty from Westminster Abbey as the Nation bade a sad and fond farewell.
It has taken some months to get to this point. Finally, the painting of St Columb’s Cathedral, the Siege Heroes Mound and historic Walls of Londonderry, is complete.
This beautiful painting by artist Brian John Spencer has been scanned, and printed on Baryta Fine Art Giclée paper *.
Each print is uniquely numbered and signed by the artist.
The prints are now on sale. Members of any Branch Club should contact their Club Secretaries to enquire on price at a Members’ rate – Branch Club Secretaries to contact the Murray Parent Club Secretary as per Report Book.
There are three sizes available.
The prints are also available to the public. Contact using our Contact page for more information, or by post to the address on the contact page (post is collected from that address every week or so).
On general sale, prices (not including P&P) are:
A4 – £15.00
A3 – £25.00
A2 – £40.00
The prints are a very fine addition to any wall, framed by a professional framer or simply in an off-the-shelf frame.
* Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta is a bright white cellulose based fine art paper with a coating specially tailored for FineArt use. The clearly visible felt structure lends the paper a tactile surface structure to produce prints with a three dimensional quality. The barium sulphate within the coating gives the FineArt Baryta the feel of a traditional analogue baryta print, creating stunning contrasts, deep blacks and perfect reproduction of colour. The paper is acid and lignum free making it extremely age resistant.
Glasgow Clubs traditionally parade the weekend following the Londonderry Commemorations. The Murray Club Secretary spent a very enjoyable day with Partick Murray, the organiser for this year’s Parade. Another Parade three years in the making because, you know, Covid. The parade started from the Centre of Glasgow, out to the Crawford Halls in Partick. Excellent parade and a good afternoon with Partick Branch Club. Thanks to Thomas Chalmers, Secretary, for all his work for the day, along with all those who played a part in making the day a success.
There is now a Gallery of images from the 333rd Relief of Derry Commemorations, which mostly records Murray Parent and Branch Clubs on the day, below. Other images provide further context. The Murray Parent Club would like to express appreciation to the Robert Graham Memorial Flute Band for ably leading us for the day, on the Walls in the morning through to the return to the Memorial Hall in the evening.
Thanks to all those who made the day so enjoyable: Members and bands, and particularly the Marshals, the St John Ambulance who attended quite a few casualties of the heat; and also members of the public who generously offered bottles of water along the way.
The full parade is available via the YouTube Channel.
If lockdown during Covid felt harsh in the UK, Australia was draconian with no movement between States and Melbourne extremely stringent. Australia Murray was only able to meet in August 2022, the previous meeting having been December 2019. Therefore, good to be able welcome our first Australia Murray member to be Made since the opening of that Club. Glenn Malloch made a detour from visiting family in Scotland to visit Londonderry, and the Parent Club arranged a special Initiation to welcome him to the Murray Club and to the Association.
Pictured here, centre, with the Andy Berryman (Australia Murray, back for now, living in Lisburn) and the Governor, Graeme Stenhouse, to his left, and Murray President, Gordon McMorris, and Robin Smyth, Australia Murray (also visiting, at home in Claudy).
The first major parade outside Northern Ireland was the long delayed Scottish Amalgamated Committee ‘May Rally’, which is now held first Saturday in June.
All the Scottish Murray Clubs were in attendance, as well as SAMS Liverpool Murray visiting. Brilliant sunshine made a welcome return to parades for our Scottish brethren. Greenock also laid a wreath at the local Memorial before returning to the Hall for some food and refreshment.
Made a visit to the studio of Brian John Spencer to view a painting of St Columb’s Cathedral, the Walls and Siege Heroes Mound which has been commissioned by the Murray Club to commemorate its 175th Anniversary Year. Brian is a well known Northern Ireland painter and illustrator, working for commercial and private clients. He is also a member of the Murray Parent Club.
This is very much a work in progress.
The plan is have the final work copied as a fine limited edition signed print, 175 in total: there will be 100 as an A4 print (#76-175), 50 as an A3 print (#26-75), and 25 as original A2 size print (#1-25).
Spent some time chatting with Brian about the painting process and the challenges of capturing a wide perspective of this massively historic and important place in Londonderry.
Once the painting is complete and the prints are in production, we’ll let you know. Meantime if anyone wishes to express an interest in purchasing one of these prints, send a message to the Secretary of the Parent Club or use the contact form on this site.
Meanwhile, left Brian in his studio. Painting.
This is Greenock Murray’s 60th Anniversary Year, the Branch being formally approved by General Committee on the 28th April 1962.
There is a dedicated Club page which hopefully over time will expand on its history.
The Officers and Members of the Murray Parent Club thank Greenock Murray for its service to keeping the memory of the Brave 13 in Scotland, and wish Greenock Murray every success in the future.
Our Clubs are starting to get back to regular meetings and to rebuild after the recent challenges of the past two years in the shadow of Covid.
It was particularly pleasing to see Bryansford & District bring ten to be Made inside the historic Walls of Londonderry, on Friday 4 March. It is a long journey from the edge of the Mournes to Londonderry and it was great to see so many making the trip on a Friday evening.
Those attending were of all ages, though great so see so many new younger members. Harry Baxter, Secretary of Bryansford & District, was present along with Gordon Wright and Graeme Wright, both Past Presidents and Committee Men of the Club, all with sons being Made on the evening; a proud moment for each as the next generation joins the Apprentice Boys to keep alive the memory of the Brave 13.
Following the initiation and the closing of the Parent Club’s regular meeting the President gave the members a tour of the Memorial Hall.
Congratulations to all those Made, and Looking forward to seeing them back in Londonderry with their Club in August for the 333rd Anniversary of the Relief of Derry.