Pair chosen to represent borough at Somme 2013

BALLYMENA council has agreed to send two members to France for the 2013 Somme Pilgramage in June.

It was decided that councillors Billy Henry and James McClean will make the tip to France on Jun 28.

Alderman Sam Hannah told members that he believed it had been agreed for the council to send a representative every other year.

He said: “We agreed that every other year we would send two members, this is the second year since we were there. It is something that is very solemn indeed.”

Councillor Declan O’Loan said it was his understanding that they would only send councillors on special years and wanted confirmation, Hannah replied: “Every year is a special year.”

Cheif executive Anne Donaghy said she wanted to check what the agreement was on how often the council would send a representative.

Hannah added: “Most councils send someone every year, it is an experience for anybody that goes.”

It was confirmed that officers would verify what was agreed regarding how often a Ballymena reprentative would go.

When deciding who to send, Councillor Tommy Nicholl said he believed it should be somebody that hasn’t been before.

The two councillors will travel to France and attend a service of remembrance shall be held on July 1, at Northern Ireland’s National War Memorial, the Ulster Memorial Tower at Thiepval, to commemorate the men and women of Ulster who gave their lives in the First World War.

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