The Apprentice Boys have had an upcoming parade banned from passing the Ardoyne shops, scene of the mindless violence and wanton disregard for human life of republican "protestors" on 12th July. This ban continues the trend from last year when the same ban was imposed.

My initial reaction on watching the story on the lunchtime news was "Right, republicans, if you want parades banned just go out and riot at them." Sounds like they're being given a free reign to cancel all parades. This view was soon to be backed up by the Parades Commission themselves whose ruling cited "potential for public disorder" and could have an "adverse effect on fragile community relations."

Follow up:

I have never been in the Apprentice Boys, in fact I don't remember ever seeing an Apprentice Boys parade, but I have a lot of sympathy for them. For a start this parade, due to take place on 13th August, isn't a major parade, it's a feeder parade which would take place before the Ligoneil Walkers link up with the main parade at Londonderry. Ulster Unionist parades spokesman Michael Copeland described the ban as "scandalous."

"I feel sad for the Apprentice Boys in Belfast. I think people have got to learn that if they want respect for their culture and their community, they will have to learn to respect ours."
William Allen, governor of the Apprentice Boys

Meanwhile, the final touches are being put to the preparations for the 8th Maiden City Festival in Londonderry which runs from tomorrow through to next Saturday, 13th August. The festival has seen an effort to involve members of the community from Ulster-Scots, Irish and Chinese traditions and culminates in the Relief of Derry pagaent at Carlisle Roundabout next Saturday. Further details of the events are available from the Maiden City Festival website.