MEA councillors pay tribute to former Deputy Mayor Robin Cherry MBE with minute’s silence

The late former Ballymena Deputy Mayor Robin Cherry MBE

Mid and East Antrim councillors stood to observe a minute’s silence in tribute to former Ballymena Deputy Mayor Robin Cherry MBE at the May meeting of the borough council in The Braid, Ballymena.

Mr Cherry, who was a former Ulster Unionist councillor, passed away on April 26 after a short illness.

He served on the legacy Ballymena Borough Council and more recently was a councillor on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council until he retired in April 2023.

Speaking at the meeting, the Mayor, Ald William McCaughey, said:

“I was very saddened to learn of the sudden death of Ald Robin Cherry MBE and on behalf of members, I would extend our sincere condolences to Robin’s wife Adeline, his family, friends and wider family circle. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

“On a personal note, I had the privilege of sitting in the chamber for quite a number of years with Ald Cherry and I have to say that the way he conducted himself, the way he spoke and the way he argued was the way I believe we should all actually try to emulate.

“I think I learned more from Ald Cherry as I watched him argue and make his discussions respectful in every way and one of the things that was most impressive was Robin always dealt with the issue.

“I don’t believe I ever heard him malign anyone in this chamber nor make anything personal to him and I can say, that in all the years, I have always admired the way he conducted himself and that is just from a very personal point of view.”

He went on to ask members to stand for a minute’s silence.

During his announcements, the first citizen said that Councillor Ruth Lawrence has been nominated as a Braid representative by the DUP and will fill positions left vacant by the late Ald Beth Adger MBE following her death in March.

Meanwhile, the Mayor congratulated the council on being short-listed in four different categories at the recent NILGA (Northern Ireland Local Government Association)  awards.

He said the local authority, in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, won the Local Government Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for the autism-friendly borough initiative, which he described, as “a pioneering partnership” which aims to make the borough more accessible and welcoming for autistic people.

He proceeded to congratulate the Autism-friendly Implementation Steering Group members Larne Lough Alliance Cllr Maeve Donnelly, Ballymena TUV Cllr Matthew Armstrong and Carrick Castle Ulster Unionist Cllr Bethany Ferris.

He went on to say he will be holding a reception later this month for all those involved in the autism-friendly borough initiative.