Modern hymnwriting duo Keith and Kristyn Getty are to receive the Freedom of the City this summer

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) had approved a motion in August 2019 to bestow its highest civic order to Keith and Kristyn Getty.But due to a postponement of their attendance at a 2020 event to mark the occasion – thanks to the couple’s residence in the US and the Covid pandemic – a number of items bought by the council for the occasion and costing just over £1,190 may now need to be “chucked”, a council meeting was told.Lisburn North UUP councillor Nicholas Trimble said: “Hopefully we finally have a date now set in stone. Is there any way we can re-purpose any of the items from the postponed freedom of the city event?“I know it’s not a huge amount, but it is considerable. Could they be reused in some way or do they need to be chucked?”The items listed include; a digital printed scroll, Burgess book entries, framing, a tree plaque and a granite stone.

A council official responded: “We can perhaps up-cycle or recycle some things.“There was £500 spent on calligraphy in 2020 and we were able to adjust if for 2023 for a cost of another £100, but now for a third time, it can’t be adjusted.”The Gettys, Keith who is originally from Lisburn and Kristyn from Belfast, are due to attend the freedom of the city event in Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn on June 1.