Mid and East Antrim approves 36th Ulster Division tribute

The 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Association has been given permission to erect a memorial and information panel in tribute to the 36th Ulster Division.

The Division was made up from units of the Ulster Volunteer Force, which was formed in 1913 to fight against Home Rule in Ireland.

Speaking at a remote meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Monday evening, Ballymena DUP Alderman Audrey Wales MBE proposed the memorial goes ahead saying: “I am delighted to see this come to fruition despite some of the obstacles people have raised previously.”

The proposal has been subject to assessment through the local authority’s Memorials and Commemorations Policy Framework ratifying the decision to proceed taken in March.

Seconding the proposal, Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Cllr Keith Turner said: “I’m obviously going to second this proposal. I’m all for it. However, I do feel that perhaps the memorial garden is now becoming a little overcrowded.

He added: “A memorial garden is a place of remembrance and reflection. I am  just a little bit worried it is becoming something of a theme park.

“I always believe that people go there to remember not to go round to see the different things as if it is a display.

“I will second this, but In future, I think we need to look at what we are going to put in and how much ground there is as well.”

Last November, a request was made to the council by the Ulster Special Constabulary Association Mid Antrim branch seeking approval to erect a memorial obelisk in the Memorial Park to mark the centenary of the formation of the Ulster Special Association in 2020.

Responding to a query from Alliance Cllr Patricia O’Lynn regarding equality screening at a meeting of the council that month, the chief executive advised the request would be “subject to the Memorial and Commemorations Policy”.

On the proposal of Bannside TUV Cllr Timothy Gaston, seconded by Ballymena DUP Ald John Carson, it was agreed the council would work with the Ulster Special Constabulary Association regarding the erection of a memorial and that the application be subject to the Memorial and Commemorations Policy.

Sinn Fein Cllr Ian Friary objected to the request.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.