Tomorrow's Orange march at Drumcree seems set to go ahead amid appeals for calm from police and churchmen.
The march has been banned by the Parades Commission from proceeding along the nationalist Garvaghy Road. This is the route marchers have traditionally taken on their way back to the Orange lodge from their church service at Drumcree on the outskirts of Portadown.
There are hopes that last year's violent attacks on police blocking the Garvaghy Road by some on the loyalist side will not be repeated.
The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, has appealed for "calmness, dignity and responsible behaviour" at Drumcree tomorrow, and in the following days.
In the past there had been "those who were ready to use this occasion as an excuse for confrontations and violence in the vicinity [of Drumcree parish church] and further afield. Such behaviour brings disgrace on all concerned and further heightens community tensions," he said.
"In the light of past experience I appeal to all who attend this service to do so in a calm and dignified manner which befits the respect due to the public worship of Almighty God."
He noted that members of the Portadown Loyal Orange Lodge No 1 were attending morning prayer at Drumcree church "on the invitation of the rector and select vestry" there.
The president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Jim Rea, who is minister at Thomas Street Methodist Church in Portadown, pleaded with all concerned "to seek an accommodation that will benefit all".
Many people in Portadown were "living in a prison that has two keys. The Orange Order and the local residents each have one, and only when they are used simultaneously can freedom be found".
He called on both groups in the town "to work together to find a solution in which no one loses but everyone gains".
The senior officer in charge of security at the parade, Mr Stephen White, said yesterday he thought a resolution of the long-running dispute would be found; the only question was when. "I think there will be a resolution. But its outcome? I don't know."
He added: "This is a local difficulty which will be sorted out by local people getting together."
The PSNI is to mount a security operation strong enough to uphold the Parades Commission ruling and delicate enough to keep the atmosphere as near to normal as possible.
Following a week of rumours concerning a possible resolution of the stand-off between the Orange Order and residents which has persisted since 1998, there were signs yesterday that a way forward could be found. However, it seems all but impossible that one could be finalised in time for tomorrow's march.
Proposals put forward by local Orangemen on Friday night which mark a shift from the traditional stance have been put to the British government, it is claimed, but a response is still awaited. Residents say they have seen no proposals.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland operates a policy of not talking to residents' groups and refusing to deal with the Parades Commission.
Portadown Orangemen want a parade along the Garvaghy Road which they would view as the completion of the banned 1998 parade. Future marches in the area would be discussed by a new local round-table forum involving residents.
Local Orange figures appear willing to concede the principle that the consent of residents be heeded. Residents view this as a "march first, talk later" approach and little different from an approach that failed in 1998 and subsequently.
Mr David Jones, an Orange spokesman, said last night that their proposals could advance the process and would involve some pain and some gain for marchers. He questioned whether residents were prepared to adopt the same approach.
Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith, a spokesman for the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, believes talks should go ahead without any prearranged outcome, as the Parades Commission has said.