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.
Category: Branch Club
Annual Initiation Day 2023
A big change in 2023 with the Murray Club joining with the Apprentice Boys of Derry Parent Club and the Baker Parent Club for a joint initiation Day on the last Saturday of May.
It was a worthwhile change, evident from the very large numbers walking from Bond Street to the Memorial Hall. There were so many candidates for Initiation there had to be two meetings, one for the much larger ABOD Club and another jointly for the Baker and Murray Clubs. On the day around eighty were Made across all the Clubs, nineteen for the Murray. Tremendous turnout and a positive indication of a significant bounce back after Covid.
Enrolment of new Members into SAMS Liverpool Branch
An approach to the Parent Club Secretary early in 2023 led to a Special Meeting of SAMS Liverpool Branch in Corby in mid-May to enrol eight members who would be a core part of establishing a new Murray Club in Corby. There had been a No Surrender Club back in the 1980s, but it dissolved and issues still rumble. The mostly young coterie who wished to make a new start in Corby decided on Murray as the future Parent Club. Since May, others in the Corby area have transferred into the Parent Club. Wishing SAMS and its Corby members all the best as they work towards a new Charter for a Murray Corby Branch Club sometime in 2024.
Partick Murray is 120 Years young.
Congratulations to Partick Murray Club which celebrates its 120th Anniversary in 2023, the oldest Branch Club in Scotland.
Murray Parent Club President, Gordon McMorris, and the Parent Club Secretary joined Partick Murray’s 120th Anniversary Parade on Saturday 14th January. There was an impressive turnout of Partick Members and other visiting brethren on a cold, sometimes sunny, sometimes wet and often windy, winter afternoon. The Heirs of Cromwell Flute Band was excellent.
Following the parade there was a warm welcome of soup and sandwiches at Crawford Street Hall, and an afternoon of entertainment.
During the afternoon there were a series of presentations. Forty Year Service Jewels were presented to Bros. Jim Mahoney and Andrew Platt (Treasurer), and Thirteen Year Service Jewels to Past President, Bro. Stevie Bryceland, and current President, Bro. Brian Hood.
There were four Members Derry Made on the evening before the Shutting of the Gates in December 2022 who were presented with their Certificates: (left to right) Bros. Michael Holmes, Neil Robbie Robertson, George Bell, Robert Jamieson. Finally, Bro Eric Latham received a Past President Certificate from his successor Bro. Hood.
Terrific start to any year.
Partick Murray keeps the Crimson strong in Glasgow and shows every sign of maintaining a strength of presence for many years ahead.
Aghadowey Murray Initiation of Officers, Thursday 1 December.
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. Aghadowey was the closest meeting to the Shutting of the Gates. At the meeting Bro. Freddie Tannilhill was presented his 40 Year Service Jewel by the Governor. Following supper, Glenkeen Flute Band played some tunes. It was also an evening to welcome two new Members to Aghadowey: transferred in are Bros. James Gault and Nevin Brewster.
English Amalgamated AGM and Parade, Blackpool, 21st October.
A weekend in Blackpool supporting the English Amalgamated Committee, intending to generate enthusiasm for a restart after these past few disruptive years. Along with the Murray Club President, Gordon McMorris, it was an excellent opportunity to meet with a number of our English Clubs; SAMS Liverpool, Bootle, and Lancashire & Cheshire. English brethren were joined by many from Scotland and from Northern Ireland. Members of Newtownstewart Murray travelled with Castlederg Young Loyalists (Old Boys) FB, to make a weekend of it. A good parade and evening harmony, which is hoped to become an annual date for the diary on the last Saturday of October.
The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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.
Glasgow Clubs Parade organised by Partick Murray, 20th August.
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.
The first Australia Murray Made, Wednesday 6th July.
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).
Aghadowey Murray Celebrate 90 Years, and a belated 10th anniversary for Wishaw.
At the end of October Aghadowey Murray celebrated its 90th Anniversary as a Branch Club. A dinner was held at the Royal British Legion in Ballymoney, with the President, Bro. Gordon McMorris, and Secretary, Bro. David Hoey, of the Parent Club in attendance.
On the evening the history of the Club was read by Bro. Raymond McKeeman.
Two fifty year jewels were presented, to Bros. William Doey and Noel Stevenson.
Bros. Doey and Stevenson then ceremonially cut the celebration cake with Bro. McMorris, along with The President of Aghadowey, Bro. Edward Acheson (right) and Vice-President Bro. Richard McMullan.
Entertainment for the evening was by the always excellent Kellswater Flute Band.
The following day the Parent Club Secretary, Bro. Hoey, headed over to Glasgow and the delayed visit to Wishaw Murray Club. The original plan had been to attend in June 2020 for the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the Club. However, COVID. And the trip was postponed to October 2020, to June 2021 and finally realised at the end of October 2021.
The Secretary officiated at the Installation of the Club Officers for the coming year and commended the Officer team for sustaining the Club through difficult times and looking forward to seeing Wishaw Murray continue to grow in the years ahead.
Following the formalities of the day there was an afternoon of harmony, with good company and the good cheer magnified by a couple of sessions from the County Flute Band. Always good to listen to at any time.