Apprentice Boys' Clubs in Lurgan have called for a public meeting with nationalist residents from William Street to discuss the controversial issue of parades in the Co Armagh town.
The move comes as members of the Apprentice Boys announced their intention to proceed with an open-air church service and parade in Lurgan on Saturday, September 11th. The service and parade are taking place in an attempt to have the Parades Commission review a decision in which Lurgan's Derry Day feeder parade was re-routed away from the William Street area.
The offer to meet local residents, if accepted, would lead to the first face-to-face meeting between loyal order members and Lurgan's nationalist community.
A spokesman for the Lurgan Apprentice Boys, Mr Roy Ferguson, yesterday said: "We have already called off three of our four planned protests. The decision to do so was taken in order to ease community tensions. The Apprentice Boys in Lurgan are endeavouring to bring as much peace as possible to the community. To further this intention we are now calling for a public meeting with William Street residents."
Mr Ferguson said Apprentice Boys were anxious to know "what exactly it is that the nationalist residents find objectional about our history and culture".
A spokesperson for the William Street Residents' Group indicated it was "willing to enter into talks with anyone if such a move will ease tension in the area".
The residents' group also welcomed news that the Apprentice Boys had called off three proposed Saturday protests, saying that more loyal order parades in William Street at this time would be "disastrous".
However, the spokesperson said the residents' group was still "concerned" at plans by Apprentice Boys to proceed with the September 11th protest and the stated determination to complete the Derry Day feeder parade.