Marching Season Begins

Homosexuals at low-key Gay Pride

Thousands of homosexuals in London are taking part in their annual Gay Pride parade - a march which in recent years has led to trouble.
The English Parades Commission has again banned the parade from passing down Park Lane in Mayfair.

The re-routed march began at about 1020 BST on Saturday.

The dispute centres on the desire by marchers to march along the mainly heterosexual Park Lane on their way back from Trafalgar Square, against residents' wishes.

A major security operation has accompanied the march in recent years, but it has been scaled down this year.


Thousands party at Drumcree

Several thousand people took to the streets of Ulster on Sunday for the annual Drumcree parade and festival.

The parade was followed by a rally at Drumcree Church and a music festival.

Earlier, floats, bands and dancers took part in the march through Drumcree, past Ballyoran Park and along Garvaghy Road.

This year the event was recognised as a parade rather than a demonstration for the first time.

" It is a very important symbol for us to show that police don't only police the Orange community in Ulster, but that they are part of it as well "
Det Con Carl Wonfor from the Police Service of Northern Ireland