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Thousands take part in city march Thousands take part in city march
(20 minutes later)
Thousands of Apprentice Boys are in Londonderry preparing for Saturday's annual parade.Thousands of Apprentice Boys are in Londonderry preparing for Saturday's annual parade.
In the run-up to the lunch-time parade, local Apprentice Boys marched around the city walls before laying wreaths for war victims at the Diamond.In the run-up to the lunch-time parade, local Apprentice Boys marched around the city walls before laying wreaths for war victims at the Diamond.
A religious service at St Columcille's Cathedral followed.A religious service at St Columcille's Cathedral followed.
During the main parade at lunchtime, about 15,000 Apprentice Boys and spectators accompanied by 120 bands will march in the city centre. In the main parade, about 15,000 Apprentice Boys and spectators accompanied by 120 bands are marching in the city centre.
The parade will take several hours to pass.The parade will take several hours to pass.
The governor of the Apprentice Boys, William Allen, said this would be his last year leading the organisation and he hoped the day would be remembered as a peaceful one.The governor of the Apprentice Boys, William Allen, said this would be his last year leading the organisation and he hoped the day would be remembered as a peaceful one.
"We have been having peaceful parades over the last three or four years and I would like it to continue," he said."We have been having peaceful parades over the last three or four years and I would like it to continue," he said.
"It is very important for the citizens and the city itself. Anyone that comes to cause trouble only destroys the day and we look on it as a family day out as well.""It is very important for the citizens and the city itself. Anyone that comes to cause trouble only destroys the day and we look on it as a family day out as well."
There have been appeals for calm and police have warned they will deal with anyone involved in illegal drinking or any unruly behaviour.There have been appeals for calm and police have warned they will deal with anyone involved in illegal drinking or any unruly behaviour.
The parade celebrates the actions of Protestant Apprentice Boys who shut the city gates against the forces of Catholic King James in December 1688.The parade celebrates the actions of Protestant Apprentice Boys who shut the city gates against the forces of Catholic King James in December 1688.