Apprentice Boys parade goes ahead despite storm

The Apprentice Boys of Derry parade has gone ahead as planned in Londonderry but turnout was affected by Storm Darragh and the cancellation of trains and buses.

The newly installed governor, William Walker, said many members were unable to attend due to travel disruption.

Officers and members of the general committee met to discuss weather conditions ahead of the parade on Saturday.

It was later decided that the extreme gusts of wind made it unsafe to go ahead and burn the traditional Lundy effigy.

Mr Walker said the burning would go ahead between now and 18 December.

What is the parade about?

Thousands of Apprentice Boys attend the annual Shutting of the Gates commemorations in Londonderry.

The march marks the anniversary of the 17th Century siege of the city, which commemorates an event known as the "shutting of the gates", when 13 apprentices locked the walled city's gates against the approaching army of the Catholic King James II in December 1688.

The siege lasted 105 days and cost more than 10,000 lives, the majority of which were civilians.

About 25 bands were due to join a parade through the city, which ends with the traditional burning of an effigy of Lt Col Robert Lundy, known as Lundy the Traitor due to his offer to surrender to the Jacobite army.

What happened on Saturday?

Visiting branch clubs assembled at the North-West Transport Hub in the Waterside and departed for the first parade at about 11:30 GMT on Saturday.

The route took clubs and bands across the top deck of Craigavon Bridge towards the Apprentice Boy's Memorial Hall.

The main parade took place at 13:15 GMT around the city centre and finished with a service of remembrance at St Columb's Cathedral.

The return parade began at about 15:15 GMT and finished in the Waterside.

William Walker will be installed as Apprentice Boys governor during proceedings on Saturday

The events on Saturday saw the formal installation of Mr Walker who is taking over the position from Graeme Stenhouse.

Mr Walker said becoming governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry was a huge honour.

"It is humbling to reflect on being just the most recent in a long line of governors that stretches back more than two hundred years, and with an Apprentice Boys heritage of more than three hundred years," he said.

He thanked Mr Stenhouse for the "handing over of an organisation in good health".

Graeme Stenhouse says he will look back on his time as governor of the Apprentice Boys with great honour.

Mr Stenhouse told BBC News NI that the association would "continue to grow from strength to strength" under Mr Walker's tenures and said that after seven years in the position himself, he can walk away with his "head held high".

"I didn't realise the amount of work when I first took over; there is an awful lot of dedication that is required, and you are having to deal with things on a week-to-week basis," he said.

"It's been an honour and a privilege for myself to occupy such a significant position in the organisation, and I will look back on my time fondly."