BURNING DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE CULTURAL BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS
THE consensus view in Larne council chamber is that grant aid to loyalists to help fund Eleventh Night celebrations this year was money well spent.
There was almost universal praise for the conduct of bonfire parties, though the illegal burning of tyres remained a point to be addressed.
Members of the tourism, leisure and development services committee considered a report from manager Herbie Francis, detailing the grants awarded to six different bonfire sites in the borough, as follows:
Glynn 179.99
Islandmagee 250
Glenarm 250
Antiville 241.60
Craigyhill 250
Factory 250
It was explained to councillors that the amounts differed, because the grants were made in respect of various cultural events organised in conjunction with bonfire parties.
Alderman Jack McKee enthused that the Eleventh Night initiative had been such a resounding success that other towns were seeking to follow the example set by Larne.
He praised the bonfire builders, the council's bonfire committee, Mr. Francis and environmental services director Morris Crum for the role each had played.
The unionist representative said that in previous years bonfire parties had resulted in 'drawn batons', but the grants programme had helped to foster more peaceful events.
"If this is encouraged", he said, "we could see more emphasis on the cultural and heritage side of it".
SDLP Councillor Danny O'Connor queried if bonfire builders were being rewarded for burning tyres, which, he pointed out, is now illegal.
Ulster Unionist Councillor Brian Dunn urged anyone who knew of tyres being burned to report it the council's environmental health department.
"I would like to commend the people who organised the bonfires this year", he commented. "It was less confrontational and more of a celebration and we do want to help people to do that".
CULTURE
Independent Councillor Robert Lindsay Mason remarked on drinking associated with the bonfires. "I agree it might be great fun, but I would have a bit of difficulty calling it culture", he stated.
Alderman McKee took exception to the remark. "The grain runs a wee bit deeper than that and it's what we are all about in Northern Ireland".
He, too, said he did wish to see tyres being burned on bonfires and sought redress against companies who provided the tyres. Alderman McKee declared:
"We are paying to have our tyres disposed of and if they don't dispose of them and give them away, it has to be addressed".
He said the legislation was welcomed by people whose property had been blackened by smoke from burning tyres, adding, "The people who will benefit most (from the bonfire initiative) are the Roman Catholic people of Larne" because, said Alderman McKee, community tension would be reduced.
"The tension has eased somewhat over the years and anything we can do to steer that along with a few quid is to be commended".
CARNIVAL
Alderman McKee said that the Seacourt community had been invited to an Eleventh Night five-a-side football tournament at the Factory area. "Where else would you get that?" he asked, though confessing he was unaware if the invitation was taken up.
DUP Councillor Greg McKeen agreed that the scheme represented value for money. He had attended a number of bonfires and had been impressed by the "carnival atmosphere".
"Tensions have reduced and it is turning into what it should be – a celebration of culture and heritage in a carnival atmosphere", he said.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gerardine Mulvenna (Alliance) commented, "This year's celebration was peaceful and everyone is to be commended for that".
She added: "There is a long way to go yet, but it's an excellent start, a very positive start".
Committee chairman, Alliance Alderman John Mathews, closed the debate by praising everyone involved and remarking that the total of 1421.59 was money "very well spent".
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Weather for Larne
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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