Swann welcomes progress on twin villages’ war memorial

The North Antrim UUP Assemblyman “warmly welcomed” Mid and East Antrim Council’s decision at their September monthly meeting, last week, to progress the request from Kells and Connor Community Improvement Association that a War Memorial be erected in the ‘twin villages’.

He said the planned memorial would “be a fitting and lasting tribute to those from the villages who had fought and given their lives so future generations could enjoy the luxuries of modern democracy and freedom”.

“This request has been held up and delayed in various council committees and sub-groups for over five years, so I thank my Ulster Unionist Party colleague Councillor Lindsay Millar for finally bringing the proposal to the full Council meeting,” Mr Swann said.

“I have written to the Council’s Chief Executive to ensure that this is progressed now as a matter of urgency and that Mid and East Council provides the same support that was promised by Ballymena Borough Council.

“The memorial, which is to be to the memory of ‘The men and women of Kells, Connor and surrounding townlands, who made the ultimate sacrifice in all conflicts’, has already been commissioned by the Improvement Association.

“The site was agreed to be part of the Crawford Park development adjacent to the entrance to Connor Church of Ireland, which serves as a Regimental Chapel and would also place it where Connor meets Kells,” said Assemblyman Swann.