Borough to mark Armed Forces Day

Details of the event, which will take place on Saturday, June 18 at the Antrim Forum complex and Antrim Castle Gardens, were approved at the December meeting of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee.

The committee approved a budget of up to £50,000 for the regional event, which will precede a national event on June 25.

At the committee meeting, members were nominated to serve on the 2016 Armed Forces Day steering group. The steering group will meet on a regular basis between January and June to organise the event.

UUP Cllr Paul Michael and Alliance Cllr Neil Kelly were nominated by their parties to be members of the steering group, while the other members are still to be confirmed.

DUP Cllr Nigel Kells, who proposed the motion to bring the event to the borough, is looking forward to marking the event in the former garrison town.

“I am delighted that we have won the bid to host Armed Forces Day and I know from speaking to residents they are very excited that this special occasion is coming to the area,” he commented.