Support for continuing Forces event in Carrick

There was an angry backlash in the town last month after plans to stage the annual military celebrations in Ballymena were revealed.

The event on June 20 would be backed by the Ministry of Defence, according to Carrick councillor, John Stewart.

“During the meeting with the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Northern Ireland, Mid and East Antrim councillors voted to hold the event in Carrick, but the MoD made the decision to hold it in Ballymena as part of their rotation policy,” Cllr Stewart said.

Alan Hamilton was one of the committee who helped establish the original Veterans’ Day parade in the town, which eventually became what is now known as Armed Forces Day.

He said: “Any town is entitled to hold Armed Forces Day celebrations and we will be going ahead with our Veterans’ Day parade on June 27 as normal.

“I would hope we will still get some MoD support but I will be getting in touch with my contacts from the likes of North Irish Horse to see what they can help us with.”

Joining Cllr Stewart in pledging support for an Armed Forces Day event in Carrick was Cllr Billy Ashe. “We will also be applying to host the national event at some point in the near future,” he said.

In a statement, the MoD indicated that Armed Forces Day was a “matter for duly elected councillors” to debate, discuss and decide through the proper channels. “It would be totally inappropriate for us to detail any discussions which have or have not taken place as part of scoping to allow public representatives to make their decisions,” the statement added.