Council offers Somme grants

Councillor Billy Ashe, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough said: “I am encouraging groups within the Borough to make an application for one of our Small Event Grants to help mark the 1 July 1916, when the hugely costly Battle of the Somme began.

“It may be 100 years on, but to this day the service and sacrifice of so many of our young men who answered the call - and in many cases never returned - is remembered and commemorated across the Borough and beyond.”

Cllr Ashe said he is hoping that local people themselves will organise suitable commemorative events that will complement the several being undertaken officially by Council.

These include the annual Service and March Past at the County Antrim War Memorial (Knockagh) at the end of June and a new ‘Festival of Remembrance’ as Mid and East Antrim Borough marks the actual centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

This will be on the evening of Friday 1 July 2016 when a military display and World War I themed exhibits take pride of place under the historic walls of Carrickfergus Castle.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Grant Support Scheme can be viewed at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/community/grants/ where an application can be made directly for a small event, or by calling 028 2563 3148 or 028 9335 8240 or by emailing [email protected]