Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Ballymena

BALLYMENA has been chosen as the venue for County Antrim’s Diamond Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving.

The Lord Lieutenant of Antrim, Joan Christie, picked St Patrick’s Church for the venue of the special Jubilee Service to be held on Sunday, April 29.

All Mayors from the districts in County Antrim will be hosted by Ballymena’s Mayor in his parlour, before walking the short distance to the church for the service.

At last Monday night’s meeting of full council, Councillor Davy Tweed told members that he was pleased to hear that the borough had been chosen as the venue.

He said: “The Diamond Jubilee programme for the area is very good. The news that the service is to be held in St Patrick’s Church shows the respect that the Ballymena Borough has in the whole of County Antrim.”

However a number of councillors highlighted that this service will clash with another event taking place on that day.

Chief Executive Anne Donaghy agreed to contact the Lord Lieutenant to see if there was any possibility of re-arranging the service.

Last week, one of the first celebratory events planned by Ballymena Council for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee took place, the naming of the Ballykeel bridge.

There are a number of events being held in the borough to commemorate this event, including a special Diamond Jubilee Parade on June 4.

Starting from Ballee Playing Fields, the parade will then tour through the town centre to finish at Ballymena Showgrounds for the Big Lunch. Described as a fabulously noisy, lively and entertaining day out for all of County Antrim, it will feature a massive moving party of stunning floats, vehicles and musical acts.

This will be led by the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Ballymena, and is being touted as an event not to be missed.

Currently there is a Diamond Jubilee display of Royal Memorabilia at the Mid-Antrim Museum. Many Coronation souvenirs, especially mugs, still have pride of place in many homes. A selection of this memorabilia can be seen on display at the Museum until June 30.

Also to celebrate the Jubilee, two Arts Bursaries will be awarded to local young people practising an art form, ranging from music to visual arts. Applications forms and full details are available from May at the Braid Arts Centre.

On Friday, June 1 a new graphic exhibition exploring the history of Ballymena Town Hall is to be unveiled.

A Diamond Jubilee Dinner is to be held on May 31 at Galgorm Manor, Mrs Donaghy explained that the event has forty tables already reserved and is under budget.

Members also agreed for the council to take up the last four remaining tables at the dinner, this is to invite local representatives from the community.

This will include people from statutory and local businesses who are closely working in partnership with the council.

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