Councillors take charge of flag flying at Mid and East Antrim War Memorials

A decision on the flying of flags at Mid and East Antrim’s war memorials is to be made by councillors in the future, it has been agreed.

Members have approved a recommendation that the borough council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee will approve requests instead  of the council’s interim chief executive Valerie Watts.

Larne Lough DUP Councillor Gregg McKeen proposed accepting the recommendation, seconded by party colleague Cllr Reuben Glover, a Ballymena representative.

The flying of flags at war memorials is in addition to statutory days for flags to be flown at public buildings.

Flags flown at war memorials  in the borough are the Union Flag (Larne and Ballymena) and the Union Flag and Northern Ireland Standard (Carrickfergus). If a Royal British Legion commemoration is held, for example, the armed forces charity’s standard can be flown for the duration of the service.

Other occasions when a flag may be flown at war memorials in the borough include the North Irish Horse Battle for the Hitler Line commemoration in Carrickfergus, for example. Permission has to be sought in all instances.

A report presented to councillors at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, last week said district councils have the right to decide whether or not to fly the Union Flag on His Majesty’s wedding anniversary (April 9); Coronation Day (May 6); Queen Consort’s birthday (July 17); anniversary of His Majesty’s accession (September 8); His Majesty’s birthday (November 14) and other days including St Patrick’s Day (March 17), St David’s Day (March 1) and St George’s Day (April 23).

Separately, Knockagh DUP Cllr Peter Johnston asked if any progress has been made on maintenance at Knockagh Monument, County Antrim’s war memorial in Greenisland, at a meeting of the Memorials Sub-Committee which met earlier this year.

Minutes of the meeting said he was advised this had taken place prior to Remembrance Sunday last year.

Cllr McKeen said he felt that standards had been “raised” in the vicinity of a new memorial in Larne. However, he voiced concern over a ‘no dog control order’ in the Garden of Remembrance.

“People are still bringing their dogs into the memorial which is causing issues within the newly-refurbished area and about dog fouling,” minutes noted.

Cllr McKeen indicated he has requested additional signage to say ‘No Dogs Allowed’, according to minutes.

Carrick Castle DUP Alderman BIlly Ashe MBE has requested a repair to the clock tower mechanism at Marine Gardens in Carrickfergus.