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Apprentice Boys burn Lundy effigy after postponement

Donna Best A number of silhouetted heads can be seen standing in front of a burning effigyDonna Best
An effigy of Lt Col Robert Lundy, known as Lundy the Traitor, is burnt every year by the Apprentice Boys of Derry

The traditional burning of an effigy of Lt Col Robert Lundy by the Apprentice Boys of Derry has taken place after it was postponed due to a storm.

The ritual is a key part of the annual Shutting of the Gates demonstrations in Londonderry, but it was postponed on Saturday due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh.

The main parade went ahead as planned at the weekend, but turnout was affected due to the cancellation of many trains and buses across Northern Ireland.

An effigy of Lundy, known as Lundy the Traitor, is burnt every year during due to his offer to surrender to the approaching Jacobite army during the 17th century Siege of Derry.

ABOD A large crowd around an effigy of Lundy. He is in a black uniform with white face and is wearing a sign reading: 'Lundy The Traitor'ABOD
Hundreds of people turned out to the city centre for the event on Wednesday evening.

What is the Shutting of the Gates?

Thousands of Apprentice Boys from across Northern Ireland attend an annual Shutting of the Gates commemorations in the city.

The events mark the anniversary of the Siege of Derry, 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 whom were civilians.

What happened at the parade on Saturday?

Apprentice Boys pictured in regalia, some wearing large coats and woolly hats, marching across the Craigavon Bridge.
Thousands of Apprentice Boys attend the annual Shutting of the Gates commemorations in Londonderry

Visiting branch clubs assembled at the North-West Transport Hub in the Waterside on Saturday 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.

ABOD William Walker dressed in a suit and wearing a chain and floret.ABOD
William Walker was installed as Apprentice Boys governor during proceedings on Saturday

The events on Saturday also saw the formal installation of William Walker as governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys, taking over the position from Graeme Stenhouse.