Council may send three on Somme pilgrimage

LARNE Borough Council has voted to send three representatives on a Somme pilgrimage.

Ald Jack McKee and Cllr Mark Dunn were nominated to attend events organised by The Somme Association marking the 94th anniversary of the First World War battle in which both the 36th (Ulster) and 16th (Irish) divisions fought with distinction, incurring thousands of casualties. A council officer may accompany them on the trip.

Before elected members forwarded nominations, chief executive Geraldine McGahey told them that Ald McKee, the council’s “Somme representative”, had advised her that he wished to opt out of a Journey of Remembering in March in favour of attending the June 28-July 2 pilgrimage along the route taken by the two divisions in 1916.

Mrs McGahey said the TUV councillor wanted it recorded that he was doing so to “save Council money”.

It was proposed by DUP councillor Winston Fulton, seconded by his party colleague Cllr Gregg McKeen and resolved that Ald McKee and Cllr Dunn (UUP) should represent the council on the pilgrimage, which will include a service of remembrance at the Ulster Tower in Thiepval.

Ald McKee then proposed, seconded by Cllr Fulton, that a council officer should also attend.

Seven members of the council’s policy and resources committee voted in favour of the resolution and independent councillor Roy Craig voted against.

Mrs McGahey said she would discuss the resolution with officers “to see who had not been in attendance before”.

The cost of the pilgrimage is 550 per person, including travel and accommodation.

In January, the council voted to send Ulster Unionist alderman Roy Beggs and Cllr McKeen, as deputy mayor, on a pilgrimage to the Gallipoli battlefields, at a cost of 1,200 a head. Cllr Craig had said the council should do no more than note the invitation from the Friends of the Somme group.

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