A call to ban a flute band from marching through Perth to mark the Battle of the Boyne has been made by a local councillor.
Peter Barrett described the presence of a 30-strong band as “excessive” and claimed the procession, if allowed to go ahead, should be forced to march in silence.
“The applicants have given no explanation as to why this event cannot be combined with any other similar event despite immediately departing for a similar event in Broxburn,” said Mr Barrett in a formal objection to the council’s licensing committee which will debate the plan on Thursday.
“Given that the stated purpose of the procession is ‘the annual Boyne celebration’ it is clear the purpose can be achieved elsewhere by the same participants and permission should not be given.”
The plan is for 40 people to march from Tulloch Park on Saturday June 27 to lay a wreath in Perth, accompanied by the Castlemilk Flute Band.
The application for permission is on behalf of the St Andrew’s True Blues LOL (Loyal Orange Lodge) 209 Perth and the march would start at 8.30am and make its way down Crieff Road, Dunkeld Road, Barrack Street, Atholl Street, North Methven Street, High Street, Scott Street, South Street, Tay Street and through the dry arch to lay a wreath at the Cameronian monument.
After the national anthem the group would disperse for a main rally in Broxburn.
Organiser David Walters said in the application the date was particularly significant to the organisation and added that they had marched along the same route before.
He said that trained stewards would accompany the march and said there had been no difficulties or tensions in the recent past associated with holding the procession.
Mr Barrett said: “The presence of a 30-strong flute band from Castlemilk is excessive for a procession of 40 pedestrians and seems unnecessary for the purpose of a wreath laying.”
The police have no objections as long as a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order is brought into force.
Mr Walters was unable to be contacted by The Courier for his reaction to Mr Barratt’s comments.