The council has earmarked September 2026 for the event in Holywood
Holywood in North Down could witness an event celebrating the British Military care of the local council, after a DUP proposal was accepted by elected representatives across the board.
Councillors at Ards and North Down Borough Council have approved a motion by DUP Alderman Alan Graham to “recognise the importance of Holywood as a garrison town.”
If the motion is ratified, as is expected at the meeting of the full council next week, the council will bring a military event to Holywood in conjunction with the Craigavad and Helen’s Bay branch of the Royal British Legion.
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At the council’s October meeting of its Corporate Services Committee in Newtownards, Alderman Alan Graham told the chamber: “This notice of motion came about because of feedback from those in the community who have an interest in these types of events.
“Recently we have had excellent events both in Newtownards and more recently Bangor, which were very well organised and well-accepted by the community. I believe it is a time to capitalise on this enthusiasm, and the contacts within the Craigavad and Helen’s Bay branch of the Royal British Legion.
“This, alongside the vast experience of our own folks in the council, gives us an opportunity to make an excellent event in Holywood. The feedback I have received would point to an event around September 2026 – this would coincide with the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.”
He added: “There is also a desire to recognise the sacrifice and the contribution made by those men, and perhaps ladies, who hailed from the South of Ireland, and we would want to include them in this particular commemoration.”
He said: “Holywood is a garrison town, and we need to build upon this relationship. There may also be opportunities to tie in the historic connections with the Grey Point Fort in Helen’s Bay. The folks within the Craigavad and Helen’s Bay branch have the desire, the enthusiasm and the contacts to make this a success, and I believe they have already had some informal discussions with the council.”
Alliance Alderman Martin McRandal said: “I am happy as a Holywood and Clandeboye councillor to support the proposal. If we are going to do something like this, and the council is taking a leading role, I think communication and engagement with the local community is important.
“We had a Black Preceptory in Holywood in August 2023, and we got complaints from the Chamber of Commerce about lack of information basically. A lot of businesses ended up closing on a Saturday. I think it is important we engage with the Chamber of Commerce, and everybody understands in the early stage what is happening, what the implications are, when the roads will be closed, when the parade is happening etcetera.”
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