Get to the Cutting Edge with free council mag

THE Cutting Edge, the annual magazine produced by Banbridge District Council, is due to be delivered to every home in the district this week.

Residents are encouraged to read the 16-page publication if they want to find out about the many improvements happening in the local area and how the district is shaping up to be one of the best places to live in Northern Ireland.

With 2012 being a big year for sport, the main feature highlights the work that the council is doing to improve the local sports infrastructure and increase people’s participation in sport.

This feature focuses on the new £2.4 million community centre in Gilford and explains what it has to offer in terms of sports and community activities.

The environment section devotes a full page to the new green bin collection service for dry recyclable waste, which was rolled out to local households in April. Some residents tell us what they feel the biggest benefits have been from using the green bin and we tell you how you can further benefit by putting all recyclable waste in this and the brown bin.

Get an update on the ongoing campaign to achieve Fairtrade status for the district and the new 5 pence charge that will apply to single-use carrier bags from April 2013.

The community safety page introduces the new Policing and Community Safety Partnership established in April to make Banbridge a safer district for all. There’s also important advice on keeping bogus callers at bay and preventing the theft of farm trailers.

The regeneration section touches on the £785,000 public sector investment package that will help regenerate each town centre and the reopening of Banbridge Old Town Hall and Dromore Town Hall following major restoration and refurbishment work. Find out about the different council teams that work hard to keep the district clean and pristine and why the penalties for a range of environmental offences are increasing. Learn about the new team of wardens who will be tackling so-called grime hot spots in town centres.

In this issue, you also get an update on the two new pieces of legislation that give councils new powers to deal with a wide range of dog problems and irresponsible owners more effectively.

There are also articles on staying safe while gardening and the help that is available from councils if a neighbour’s high hedge is spoiling your enjoyment of your home or garden. Rural residents are encouraged to display a house number so that their property can be found more easily and quickly in an emergency.

In addition, residents can check out what’s on in the district this summer along with current and forthcoming exhibitions at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio. There’s also information on the pound promotion scheme that is running at council leisure and community centres for children aged 17 and under throughout July and August.

One lucky reader, who takes the time to tell us what they think about the magazine, could win £300 of sports vouchers. And to encourage readers to get their entry in early, the first 50 entrants will receive a stylish designer reusable shopping bag. These prizes have been sponsored by Felix O’Hare and Co Limited who built Gilford Community Centre.

An electronic copy of The Cutting Edge can be downloaded from www.banbridge.gov.uk.