Thousands attend Royal Black Institution Last Saturday parades

The Royal Black Institution has marked the traditional finale to the parading season, known as the Last Saturday.

It was expected that over 17,000 would attend parades in Ballymena, Killyleagh, Ballygawley, Holywood, Beragh and Raphoe.

About 300 marching bands took part in the events.

The biggest demonstration was held in Killyleagh, County Down. The main parade commenced at 12:00 BST, led by the County Grand officers and Wellington Memorial Silver Band.

The parade returned at around 16:00 BST.

Addressing the event in Ballymena, Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson warned that “equality of citizenship is being eroded” in the United Kingdom.

He said: “It is evident that under our current Prime Minister that we have adopted two-tier policing.

“Violence from any quarter is wrong and to be condemned, and those breaking the law should feel the ‘full force of the law’ but that must include everyone who breaks the law, no matter who they are or what they represent.

“Without that equality, then respect for law and order will further diminish.”

Rev Anderson commented that there had been reports of 7,000 police officers on duty at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, with the BBC reporting there were “eight stabbings and 334 arrests”.

He said: “Are the courts being cleared to deal with these people? Will they receive jail sentences as directed by the Prime Minister?

“If there is going to be the ‘full force of the law’ then all lawbreakers must feel that force; it is not up to politicians to decide who should or shouldn’t feel that force."

Rev Anderson added: “It seems perfectly fine for the media and others to attack and ridicule the Christian Faith… but dare anyone challenge or repudiate any other faith and, immediately, they will be attacked for holding racist views.”

The Royal Black Institution has 17,000 members. While most are based in Northern Ireland, there are preceptories in Scotland, England, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The institution holds two main demonstrations each year – the 13 July Sham Fight and on the Last Saturday of August.

Two years after the formation of the Orange Order in 1795, the Royal Black Institution came into existence in Ireland in 1797 with its foundations based firmly on scripture.

It describes on its website that it is "totally based on the teachings of Holy Scripture and is committed to the furtherance of the Christian message of the Cross”.

Members refer to each other as Sir Knights.

Former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jim Molyneaux was Sovereign Grand Master from 1971 to 1995.

Reverend William Anderson is the current head of the organisation.