SF mayor of Limavady may attend Poppy Day events

The Sinn Féin mayor of Limavady, Co Derry, is to consider involvement in the annual Poppy Day commemoration in November.

The Sinn Féin mayor of Limavady, Co Derry, is to consider involvement in the annual Poppy Day commemoration in November.

This follows her participation as mayor at the weekend in a Somme commemoration and her attendance at a religious service in the Church of Ireland church in the town on Sunday.

Mrs Ann Brolly said her involvement marked the "start of engagement" and the need for "an approach to include people rather than exclude them". The mayor said she had been approached by the Royal British Legion, which she complimented for its charitable work with people from both traditions. Mrs Brolly, who has visited the commemoration at Messines in Belgium spoke of her desire to "build on common ground" and to move the process of reconciliation forward on the basis of consensus.

She admitted there were misgivings within the wider republican constituency about Sinn Féin attendance at such functions.

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But she added: "We will lead - but not from too far in front."

Belfast City Council has announced its plans for the annual Somme commemoration which takes place next Tuesday morning.

The recently-elected Lord Mayor, Mr Martin Morgan, of the SDLP, is to take part in the proceedings including the wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in the City Hall Garden of Remembrance.

Councillors will pass a resolution: "That we, the lord mayor and citizens of the city of Belfast, on this the 87th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, desire again to record our feelings of gratitude to the brave men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who by their glorious conduct in that battle made an imperishable name for themselves and their province, and whose heroism will never be forgotten so long as the British Commonwealth lasts."

The ceremony will include the raising of the Union flag, the playing of God Save the Queen and the sounding of the Reveille by a bugler.