Category: ABOD

336th Shutting of the Gates

The 336th Annual Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates didn’t quite go to plan. Storm Daragh, a windy day with dangerous gusts, meant that the end of the day did not see Lundy burned. The day started with the Branch Clubs being accompanied by General Committee from the Railway Station to the Memorial Hall. Then the main parade to St Columb’s for the Service of Thanksgiving. The Return Parade was then changed to take account of the earlier decision not to burn Lundy, with Parent Clubs returning to the Memorial Hall and Branch Clubs returning to the Railway Station.

A couple of days of discussion with police, City Centre Initiative and the Council resulted in the burning of Lundy being undertaken on the Wednesday evening, live streamed by the Siege Museum. Burning Lundy enabled the No Surrender Parent Club to complete the opening weekend of assuring the traditions of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

English Amalgamated weekend

The last weekend of October has become a firm date in the diary for the English Amalgamated Committee, with its AGM followed by a Parade along Blackpool Promenade.

There was a good turnout of Apprentice Boys, and it was good to be able to meet Murray Clubs from across England taking part as members of the EAC, including the new Corby Murray Club. Also good to see Partick Murray in attendance in numbers.

The weekend is also an excellent opportunity to meet socially, with Corby Murray and SAMS Murray hosting events on the evening before the AGM and following, respectively. The EAC itself held a hugely successful evening of entertainment on the Saturday evening at the Hotels and Apartments Social Club.

335th Relief of Derry Commemorations

The 335th Annual Relief of Derry Commemorations were held on Saturday 10th August 2024, a huge day for the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

This year the Murray Parent Club was led by Pride of the North, Glasgow, which was celebrating its 40th Anniversary Year.

There was a great turnout of Murray Clubs. A day enjoyed by participants and spectators alike.

Initiation Day 2024

Joining with the Apprentice Boys of Derry and Baker Clubs, the annual Initiation Day for the Murray Club was held on the 25 May. The day started with a Parade from Bond Street.

The Murray Club was delighted to have the Coleraine Fife & Drum returning to lead it across from the Waterside.

The Parade ended at First Derry Presbyterian where a Memorial Service was held for past-Governor Sam Shepherd, a member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Club and friend to all.

The initiations took place in the Apprentice Boys Room in the Memorial Hall, with all three Clubs together. Among those Made from the Murray Club were members from Antrim, Teemore and Australia Murray Clubs.

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.

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.

 

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

Liverpool Clubs’ Parade, Southport.

The day started with sunshine and ended with a torrential downpour. Luckily, it did not rain on the Liverpool Parade. A good turnout of our Clubs in the Liverpool area, with Members on parade from Liverpool Murray, SAMS Murray and Bootle Murray, as well as members from nearby Lancashire & Cheshire Murray.

With this Parade so close to the SAC Rally, football in Scotland leading Police Scotland to insist on an ‘out of season’ event, numbers in recent years have been less than in the past. Good to see numbers improve and hoping that that small increase is repeated in years to come. Southport was welcoming and a good day for all.

SAC Rally, Dunfermline.

Back in Scotland and the SAC Rally offered the opportunity to meet with each of our four Scottish Branch Clubs on the day. It was a glorious June day, and an excellent turnout in the Kingdom of Fife.