332nd Annual Shutting of the Gates Commemoration
Each year one of the eight Parent Clubs that are the foundation of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry have the honour of undertaking the lead role in the traditions of the Association. The principal events in the Apprentice Boys' year are the Shutting of the Gates in December, and the Relief of Derry in August - our year, in effect, starts in December.
In 2020/21 the Murray Club has the honour of being to the fore in assuring the traditions of the Association.
The 332nd Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates took place on the 5 December 2020. Sadly, for the second time in 2020, the colour and spectacle of thousands of Apprentice Boys with banners and bands wasn't to be. Back in August the respectful honouring of the traditions of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, was within government guidelines of thirty participants. In December it was just fifteen.
This gallery records the events around the 2020 Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates and the part that the Murray Club was able to play. (Some images were compromised by rain/wind creating a challenge to keep the lens clean). The story these images illustrate is on our News and Updates pages, along with some video clips.
As is tradition the heralding the day's events, the firing of a cannon one and three times for the Brave 13, took place at midnight. This was followed by members of the Murray Club symbolically touching the four gates of the City Walls, closed to the armies of King James.
Then a pared down Shutting of the Gates, to meet Covid guidelines. Normally a two storey high Lundy is burned on Bishop Street following the Service of Thanksgiving at St Columb's Cathedral.
This year a very much reduced Lundy was burned at the start of the day, enabling the tradition to be secured, including the presentation of Lundy's Soles and the lighting taper to the Murray Club President.
Starting at the Memorial Hall, thirteen Apprentice Boys - one from each Parent Club, four Officers of General Committee and a Standard Bearer carrying the Crimson - along with a drummer and fluter paraded to the Siege Heroes Mound within the grounds of St Columb's Cathedral. At the Siege Heroes Mound a wreath was laid by the President of the Murray Parent Club in memory of the Defenders of Derry, and a short service was conducted by Rev. Nigel Cairns of St. Augustine's Church.
Following which the Apprentice Boys paraded back to the Memorial Hall, the flags that had been erected earlier that morning on Walker's Plinth were taken down, and the day ended with the close of General Committee which had been opened before the day commenced.
The President of the Murray Club has taken on the role of General Treasurer of the Associated Clubs in recent months, due to the passing of Bro. Alwyn Ferguson earlier this year - the black ribbon was placed on the Crimson in his memory. For that reason, there was also a representative from the Murray Parent Club as one of the eight Parent Club representatives, Bro. David Austin.
The Murray Club would like to thank the following for their advice and support in fulfilling the honour of undertaking the traditions for the 332nd Annual Shutting of the Gate Commemoration: General Secretary of the Associated Clubs, William Moore, for his limitless knowledge of our Association's traditions; The Governor of the Association, Graham Stenhouse, and the Chairman of the Trustees of the Memorial Hall, Ivan Taylor, for joining us in assuring 13 touched the gates. Thanks too to Donemana Murray for the four members who live in Londonderry, and joined us to touch the Gates. Thanks to Norman Rossborough and Christopher Sherrard for manning the Cannon. Thanks to the Walker Family for all aspects of building and the burning of Lundy, and raising the flags on the plinth. Thanks to Rev. Nigel Cairns, St. Augustine's Church, for attending the Siege Heroes Mound and leading the short Service. Thanks to Gordon Porter, drum, and Tim Cairns, flute, who accompanied the 13 Apprentice Boys on this unique Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates. Final thanks to Trevor Boyd and the ABOD Marshals for being there at all times.
Vita Veritas Victoria.
In 2020/21 the Murray Club has the honour of being to the fore in assuring the traditions of the Association.
The 332nd Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates took place on the 5 December 2020. Sadly, for the second time in 2020, the colour and spectacle of thousands of Apprentice Boys with banners and bands wasn't to be. Back in August the respectful honouring of the traditions of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, was within government guidelines of thirty participants. In December it was just fifteen.
This gallery records the events around the 2020 Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates and the part that the Murray Club was able to play. (Some images were compromised by rain/wind creating a challenge to keep the lens clean). The story these images illustrate is on our News and Updates pages, along with some video clips.
As is tradition the heralding the day's events, the firing of a cannon one and three times for the Brave 13, took place at midnight. This was followed by members of the Murray Club symbolically touching the four gates of the City Walls, closed to the armies of King James.
Then a pared down Shutting of the Gates, to meet Covid guidelines. Normally a two storey high Lundy is burned on Bishop Street following the Service of Thanksgiving at St Columb's Cathedral.
This year a very much reduced Lundy was burned at the start of the day, enabling the tradition to be secured, including the presentation of Lundy's Soles and the lighting taper to the Murray Club President.
Starting at the Memorial Hall, thirteen Apprentice Boys - one from each Parent Club, four Officers of General Committee and a Standard Bearer carrying the Crimson - along with a drummer and fluter paraded to the Siege Heroes Mound within the grounds of St Columb's Cathedral. At the Siege Heroes Mound a wreath was laid by the President of the Murray Parent Club in memory of the Defenders of Derry, and a short service was conducted by Rev. Nigel Cairns of St. Augustine's Church.
Following which the Apprentice Boys paraded back to the Memorial Hall, the flags that had been erected earlier that morning on Walker's Plinth were taken down, and the day ended with the close of General Committee which had been opened before the day commenced.
The President of the Murray Club has taken on the role of General Treasurer of the Associated Clubs in recent months, due to the passing of Bro. Alwyn Ferguson earlier this year - the black ribbon was placed on the Crimson in his memory. For that reason, there was also a representative from the Murray Parent Club as one of the eight Parent Club representatives, Bro. David Austin.
The Murray Club would like to thank the following for their advice and support in fulfilling the honour of undertaking the traditions for the 332nd Annual Shutting of the Gate Commemoration: General Secretary of the Associated Clubs, William Moore, for his limitless knowledge of our Association's traditions; The Governor of the Association, Graham Stenhouse, and the Chairman of the Trustees of the Memorial Hall, Ivan Taylor, for joining us in assuring 13 touched the gates. Thanks too to Donemana Murray for the four members who live in Londonderry, and joined us to touch the Gates. Thanks to Norman Rossborough and Christopher Sherrard for manning the Cannon. Thanks to the Walker Family for all aspects of building and the burning of Lundy, and raising the flags on the plinth. Thanks to Rev. Nigel Cairns, St. Augustine's Church, for attending the Siege Heroes Mound and leading the short Service. Thanks to Gordon Porter, drum, and Tim Cairns, flute, who accompanied the 13 Apprentice Boys on this unique Commemoration of the Shutting of the Gates. Final thanks to Trevor Boyd and the ABOD Marshals for being there at all times.
Vita Veritas Victoria.
