On the eve of the 11th July bonfire celebrations one local councillor, Darryl Wilson, has took the opportunity to praise the ‘positive’ work around bonfires in the area.
With tensions high between local authorities and communities in East Belfast and several other locations, over ‘dangerous’ or hazardous’ bonfires, the bonfires and their management locally in North Antrim is the difference between night and days.
Positive work over several years within and by communities including a concentrated effort especially this year by the AIMS projects and local council, have resulted in tidy and well managed bonfire sites.
Local UUP Councillor Darryl Wilson has said,
“Tomorrow night 11th of July Bonfires will be lit and cultural community fun days / events will take place across this area. You will maybe have noticed a VAST reduction in tyres at all local sites this year, fly tipping has also been dealt with in a timely fashion. This is down to the work of the community organisers in each area, the AIMS project and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
“There are many hundreds if not thousands of bonfires lit across Northern Ireland each 11th of July, 99% of which pass and are enjoyed by local communities. These positive and enjoyable cultural celebrations are holistically ignored by the mainstream media and by political activists/commontators who instead choose to highlight (relentlessly) the very few areas where there are issues. This negative approach by the media and those who detest these cultural celebrations do nothing other than raise tensions and are used to fuel the radio, TV and social media circus.
“It has been proven in the past that a proactive and cooperative approach on the ground throughout the year helps find solutions and positive outcomes.”
Councillor Wilson finished by saying,
“If you are visiting one of the local sites this 11th, have an enjoyable evening, stay safe, stay sensible, and make sure to bin your rubbish or take it home with you.
Wishing everyone within my DEA an enjoyable 11th.”
