Bonfire Funding Secured
1 February 2012 |
Posted by Jim Masson |
THE excellent work of Down District Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is definitely warming up as they received good news that they have received their letter of offer from the EU’s Peace III programme delivered by the North Down, Ards and Down Council’s Cluster to continue with their highly successful Bonfire Beacon project.
Mark Kent, Down District Community Safety Partnership Manager with Partnership Chairman, Cllr Mickey Coogan were delighted funding has been secured for bonfire beacons
The CSP have developed their programme with Groundwork NI and have run a pilot programme over the past two years introducing the new eco-friendly beacon to local communities. The bonfire burns willow pellets and is housed in a special frame holder.
The programme to date has proven to be very popular in addressing community concerns around traditional bonfires. The funding offered by the Peace III programme will support the development of this programme until December 2013 and allow the partnership to continue to offer the beacons as an alternative to the traditional bonfires which cause considerable air pollution and sometimes damage to the area concerned.
The programme will see the introduction of beacons during July, Internment and Halloween for the next two years and will offer these communities a family-friendly party atmosphere which everyone can attend and be involved in.
Cllr Mickey Coogan, CSP Chairperson, said, “There has been a considerable lot of work involved to turn this project a reality. The offer of funding will allow the project to continue to provide our eco-friendly beacons to local communities during July, Internment and Halloween.
“Through this project we will be able to reduce the negative effect of bonfires throughout our district and tackle issues including the reduction of anti social behaviour, damage to property and the effects on the environment. I would ask local communities to fully engage in this programme which will see a considerable positive image in Down District.”
