THE Apprentice Boys are considering if Covid-19 restrictions will allow the burning of the Lundy effigy to mark next month’s annual Lundy’s Day commemorations in Derry.
With coronavirus pandemic restrictions on the number of people who can gather for outdoor events, the Apprentice Boys will not be able to proceed with their annual parade on the first Saturday of next month, December 5.
However the organisation's general secretary Billy Moore said it was considering the possibility that a scaled-back programme of events could be put in place.
The annual parade normally attracts thousands of members to Derry annually and includes a march through the city. The event traditionally concludes with the burning of a giant effigy of Siege of Derry leader Colonel Robert Lundy at Bishop Street.
While the commemoration has led to violent clashes in the city in the past, the December march has passed off with little or no incident in recent years.
Earlier this year, the Apprentice Boys were forced to abandon their August 12 Siege of Derry march – the largest loyal order parade in the north – because of the coronavirus. The organisation has already accepted that the December march will not take place but is hopeful that some events may be held.
“It all depends on what is decided at Stormont. We are considering some traditional commemorations but we’re waiting to see what happens, we’ll take no decisions until we hear what Stormont is saying,” Mr Moore said.
