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Residents urge loyal orders to agree deal on St Patrick's

Nationalist residents in north Belfast have urged loyal orders to agree a deal at a parading flashpoint as the peak of the marching season looms. The call from Carrick Hill residents comes on the eve of another large orange order parade past st Patrick's Church.

Up to 1,000 marchers and three bands are expected to take part in the City of Belfast loyal orange Widows' Fund parade tomorrow. The march, which begins in the greater Shankill area at 2.15pm, will pass St Patrick's the nearby nationalist district of Carrick Hill as it makes its way to south Belfast for a church service, before beginning the return journey at 4.30pm.

Bands have been told to play only hymns while passing the church between 18 Clifton street and the junction of Union street and Donegall street. Supporters have also been banned between the junction of Westlink and Clifton street and the junction of Donegall street and Union street.

Carrick Hill Concerned Residents' Group has been given permission to hold protests at two locations during the outward and return journey.

Up to 30 residents will be allowed to stand at a car park opposite the church and the same number can protest between trinity street and 18 Clifton street.

Up to 30 members of the Greater new lodge Concerned Residents have also been permitted to protest close to the junction of Clifton street and north Queen street. Tensions in the area have been high since Shankill Road-based band the Young Conway Volunteers were filmed

walking in circles while playing the sectarian Famine Song on July 12 2012. The latest call for a deal came after an apprentice Boys parade passed through the district without incident on Monday, with a band voluntarily playing a single drumbeat while passing the church in both directions.

Residents are now urging all loyal orders to restrict music while passing both Carrick Hill and St Patrick's.

"on Easter Monday they marched [without music] from 18 Clifton street to the funeral parlour on Donegall street," a spokesman said.

"If they played the drumbeat the whole way in both directions the protests would be called off.

"they have done it part of the route so why not do it the rest of the route and let the people go home.

"if they [loyal orders] are going to state that we are coming from the West link to Union street on a single drumbeat there will be no protest there." In response, a spokesman for the orange order said: "Members of the orange institution will parade with dignity and decorum to and from a religious service.

"What hymns offend the people of Carrick Hill? Maybe they will let us know."