DONAGHADEE Festival is back for another fun-filled fortnight with dozens of events taking place in various locations around the town from August 1-15. The Festival Fortnight programme, co-ordinated by the Donaghadee Development Group, is out now and has been widely distributed free to homes and outlets throughout the area. Details will also be included on…
Reaching for the prize as business awards kick off
THE BIGGEST date in North Down’s business calendar got under way this week with the launch of the area’s Business Awards. Taking place in October, the glitzy gala event in the Clandeboye Lodge will be hosted by Bangor’s own superstar DJ Pete Snodden and recognises the success of local businesses big and small. It’s always…
RNLI honours Bangor volunteer
AN RNLI volunteer from Bangor has been honoured with a Gold Badge at the charity’s annual presentation of awards for Northern Ireland. The event which was staged at the Titanic Museum in Belfast last week recognised Brenda Lindsay from the Bangor Fundraising Branch with the prestigious award for her commitment and dedication which has helped…
Council slashes culture cash
THE new council has slashed North Down’s arts spending by almost 40%, putting us dead last in terms of culture funding. It means our arts funding is now less than half the Northern Ireland average - and it’s feared that could threaten everything from arts festivals to historic monuments to museums from Bangor to Holywood and…
North Down YMCA set to open its doors on new £409,000 premises
IN JUST five months time North Down’s dedicated YMCA will open the doors of its new town centre premises, thanks to a £409,000 refurbishment scheme. Last Thursday (25th) Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey announced the appointment of Piperhill Construction Limited to refurbish new premises for use by North Down YMCA. As part of the comprehensive development scheme…
Health trust: Bangor Hospital ward closure was ‘only option’
THE ONLY workable future for our health system involves axing Bangor Hospital’s inpatient ward while keeping beds in a care home – even though that care home is already due to be scrapped. That’s according to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, at any rate. Last week the trust decided to shut down…
Pensioners rubbish new £15 dump fees
WE’VE ‘bin’ had! That’s the message from pensioners across north Down who have rubbished new charges for a junk collection service they previously used for free. The senior citizens say they are now being charged £15 if they ask their new local council to call to their homes to dispose of large unwanted items of…
Verging on the ridiculous
A GRASS routes issue is continuing to cause alarm along some of the busiest roads around North Down, it has been claimed this week. For in recent months there have been complaints that the grass along miles of roadside verges and central reservations has been growing out of control. Drivers in particular have complained that…