Causeway Coast & Glens councillors approve revised plans to mark USA Declaration of Independence anniversary
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has approved a revised ‘USA250’ event programme.
In April, councillors rejected plans for an event at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus on July 4 to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in America.
Councillors were concerned that the event might not represent value to ratepayers and would clash with high-profile World Cup matches.
The event was estimated to cost £57,000 of the £99,120 Council had allocated for the entire USA250 event programme.
Council’s USA250 Working Group chair, DUP Alderman Aaron Callan, proposed postponing the USA250 programme until later in the year to avoid the World Cup clashes and allow more preparation time.
Members of June’s Leisure and Development Committee greenlit the amended programme, with a new signature event that will centre around enhancing existing Halloween event in Coleraine on October 27.
During a presentation to members, Head of Service for Community & Culture Julie Welsh said the programme will combine existing fireworks and family entertainment with new elements including cultural performances, family activity zones, and a dedicated heritage and storytelling strand.
She added: ”Building on its strong attendance in partnership with Ulster University, the event would be expanded to incorporate the USA 250 theme, highlighting historic connections between the area and the United States, particularly through the Ulster-Scots migration and shared origins of Halloween.”
An Ulster Scots-themed play ‘Unfinished Broadside’ will now take place in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady, in early October – rather than at UUC.
“The committee felt that that was more appropriate than using the university in terms of the time of year [and] the new total estimated cost for the programme is now sitting at £41,000,” she added.
DUP councillor Tanya Elder proposed approval and said: “It’s a really creative and engaging programme, it really celebrates the links between our borough and the USA, and as it looks like now there’s a really inclusive and family friendly day.”
UUP councillor Richard Holmes, who seconded the proposal, concluded: “I think that with the few extra weeks’ consideration and moving it back to autumn time, it’s a much better event now.”
Members voted unanimously in favour of the event.