A LOCAL councillor is called for a revamp of Ards and North Down Council’s Good Relations Programme, including the bonfire scheme.
Pete Wray, an Ards peninsula councillor, has called for a number of changes around bonfires and community festivals around the Twelfth of July as part of an overall review of the scheme.
The council operates a bonfire scheme whereby communities that opt to join it can apply for grants towards a community festival. Part of the scheme is that communities set fire to a special beacon rather than one of the huge bonfires which are lit on the Eleventh night.
Among the change proposed by Mr Wray is making bonfire groups and committees outside the council’s scheme have a greater responsibility for inappropriate and toxic items that are left at bonfire sites.
“Bonfires are an important part of unionist/loyalist culture for many people across the borough,” said Mr Wray.
“I’m pleased that the council contributes towards celebrations in the form of grants for festivals and fun days. Council also supports bonfires that sit outside of the scheme by giving advice and support, by clearing debris after the bonfire and by reseeding areas when appropriate.”
However, he said he believes things can be done better.
“This year we have seen illegal dumping of inappropriate and toxic items at bonfire sites,” he added. “The council has removed this material, however I think the bonfire groups and committees should take more responsibility in terms of managing this.
“Groups who manage bonfires well should be rewarded with funding and potentially given additional opportunities for educational programmes looking at the history of their culture and traditions. In the same respect bonfires that aren’t well managed shouldn’t be allowed to take part in the council scheme.”
Mr Wray also believes the council has a role to play in helping ease tensions within communities at bonfire season.
“I respect the fact that there are people in the borough who don’t identify with this form of cultural expression,” said Mr Wray. “Where there are tensions or disagreements in terms of issues such as bonfires, flags and parades, I think the council can play a role in terms of bringing communities together.
“I want to see communities share this place we call home, and while we may have different cultural identities, we can express these beside each other with mutual respect,” added the councillor.
Caps: A large bonfire just before it was set alight on the Eleventh night.
