The Royal Black Institution’s traditional August demonstration in Fermanagh will be held in Lisbellaw on Saturday next, August 2.

The Fermanagh Grand Black Chapter changed their tradional mid-August event to the first Saturday of August to avoid clashing with the Apprentice Boys of Derry celebrations.

On August 2, a large number of people are expected to arrive in Lisbellaw for the event, featuring not only preceptories from all over Fermanagh but visiting Sir Knights from the Border counties of the Republic as well as throughout Northern Ireland.

The County Grand Master, Robert Dane, who is also one of three Assistant Sovereign Grand Masters, will be welcoming the Sovereign Grand Master, Millar Farr, and Assistant Grand Master, Ivan Kelly from Londonderry.

The assembly point and demonstration field will be the same at Faughard, at the lower end of the village and the parade will take a circular route along the by-pass and down the Main Street returning to the field they left.

The hosts will be Lisbellaw Royal Black Preceptory, No. 392 and the address will be given by the Rev. Alan Irwin, Rector of Lack.

Lisbellaw Presbyterian Church, adjacent to the meeting field will be hosting an exhibition illustrating the Christian and Biblical foundations of the Royal Black Institution. Proceeds from the exhibition will go to the Northern Ireland Bible Society.

Also coinciding with the event will be an exhibition on the First World War in the Parish Centre.  Featuring memorabilia including photographs, letters, crafts and newspaper items relating to 1914, the exhibition will be taking place during a special weekend of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. Anyone with more items can contact Liz Kingston at 028 66387301.