2004 Desk Diary
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BALLYMENA BOROUGH COUNCIL 1 A message from the Mayor Councillor Mrs Audrey Wales MBE n June I had the honour and privilege of being elected the first female Mayor of Ballymena. I have been overwhelmed by the many messages of congratulations conveyed to me following my election and the warm welcome I have Ireceived when carrying out my duties. It is with a sense of great pride that I represent all of the people of this great Borough at a local and regional level. I know that this year will be a busy one. Already I have met many amazing people who have contributed to Ballymena, and I know there are many more to meet. I have attended numerous events, locally and nationally, proud to be an ambassador for Ballymena. A highlight from the last year was the opportunity to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to the Borough, an experience that I will never forget. This was just one of many events that have showcased Ballymena on the international stage. In August, we hosted the Milk Cup Finals at the prestigious Ballymena Showgrounds, which saw people come to Ballymena from all over the world. As first citizen, I was extremely proud to hear the Milk Cup finals described by the organisers as the most successful ever. I also attended the World Police and Fire Games, which saw Ballymena hosting the shooting at the Carnview Shooting Range. In September, the prestigious Northern Ireland Open Challenge teed off at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, again attracting people from all over the world. Together, with our local business, we remain focused on building our economy and the Borough continues to move forward on a number of exciting and innovative projects to stimulate and grow the local economy. Indeed we have forged links with other European countries with strong pass. Along with all the elected Members in Ballymena economies to share best practice. All of this work has been, Borough Council, we are working to capture the legacy of and will continue to be, shaped by the Community Planning Ballymena Borough Council and the Borough as a whole. I framework which aims to address the economic, social and look forward to these legacy events and information coming environmental needs of our Borough in partnership with forth in the near future. our citizens. On a final note, I would like to extend my thanks to Anne Significantly, 2014 will be the last full calendar year in which Donaghy, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, and her staff for the council operates under the identity of Ballymena all their hard work throughout the year. It is their dedication Borough Council. Local Government Reform aims to which moves us towards our vision of ‘Ballymena: Great establish 11 new council areas throughout the province by People, Great Place’. Anne works closely with all to deliver April 2015 and Ballymena will join with our colleagues in on a better Ballymena. Larne and Carrickfergus to form Mid and East Antrim Council. Elections for this council will take place this year and I wish you all God’s richest blessing and a healthy, prosperous the process of reform will gather momentum as the months and peaceful New Year! Great People, Great Place BALLYMENA BOROUGH COUNCIL 3 Mayoral Duties Invitations to the Mayor Mayor’s Gifts In view of the Mayor’s busy schedule, it is vital that invitations are sent 100th Birthday to the Mayor’s Secretary well in advance of the date of the engagement, preferably in writing, with full background details. Such The Mayor will provide any resident of Ballymena who is approaching as what the Mayor will be expected to do, and what other dignitaries their 100th Birthday and subsequent birthday thereafter with a special have been invited, how long the event is intended to last and who will birthday card and gift. If you wish to apply on behalf of someone, meet the Mayor on arrival. The Mayor’s Office produces a form please contact the Mayor’s Secretary. (Request for Attendance of Mayor at Non-Civic Functions) which aims to cover the above subjects. A copy of this form can be obtained from the Mayor’s Secretary or on the Council website. Diamond Wedding Anniversary The Mayor will provide any residents of Ballymena who are approaching Mayor’s Receptions their 60th Wedding Anniversary with a special congratulatory card and a gift. If you wish to apply on behalf of a couple, please contact the Mayor’s Secretary. Ballymena Borough Council provide civic recognition to citizens of the Borough on: achievements; special community service; special endeavours; special visitors are also recognised. This is normally carried Mayor’s Secretary: out through a Mayor’s Reception and presentation of a corporate gift. Tel: 028 2566 0359 A copy of the form (Request for a Mayor’s Reception) can be obtained from the Mayor’s Secretary or on the Council website. Council Web Site: www.ballymena.gov.uk Great People, Great Place BALLYMENA BOROUGH COUNCIL 4 A Few of My Mayoral Engagements… Above: Launch of the 2013 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards. Left: Ballymena Chamber of Commerce Presidents table guests at the Ballymena Borough Business Excellence Awards. (Back L-R); Ian Paisley MP, Mr Alex Morrow, Mayor of Larne Cllr Maureen Marrow, Permanent Secretary of the DOE NI Mr Leo O’Reilly, President of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce Mr Thomas McKillen. (Front L-R); Mrs Fiona Paisley, The Hostess of the awards Pamela Ballentine, The Mayor of Ballymena Cllr Audrey Wales MBE, Ballymena Borough Council Chief Executive Mrs Anne Donaghy, Mrs Esther McKillen. Above: Meeting of Mayors at the Annual Ecumenical Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath Laying, Dublin. Above: The Fenton family with baby Joy, who shares her birthday with His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. Left: The Mayor with Minister Simon Hamilton and Mr Ian Paisley MP at the site of the upgrade of the next phase of the A26. Great People, Great Place Page 4 BALLYMENA BOROUGH COUNCIL 5 Above and left: Celebrating the success at the Northern Ireland Golf Open held in Galgorm with Minister Arlene Foster MLA. Above: Finance Minister Simon Hamilton with The Mayor at a Business Lunch held in the Adair Arms Hotel in October 2013. Above: The Mayor with Darren Logan from ‘The Ahoghill in Bloom’ Team receiving the Gold Award and winning top prize for the Small Town category from Horticultural broadcaster Mr Bob Flowerdew at the Britain in Bloom Awards Ceremony. Above: Carniny Under 14’s football team travel to Portugal for their Club Development Trip as part of the Councils Small Grants Scheme. Right: In Clough at the Launch of the Mid Antrim 150 Road Race with MCUI Chairman Jack Agnew. Great People, Great Place BALLYMENA BOROUGH COUNCIL 7 Mayor welcomes Ballymena ‘World Police & Fire Games’ Youth Performers In August 2013, Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr Audrey Wales MBE, welcomed a group of 23 young people who represented Ballymena Borough at the World Police & Fire Games opening ceremony, by performing the Indian ‘Diya’ Dance. Organised and facilitated through Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum, this project aimed to help build confidence and gain a better insight to understanding different cultures. The project concluded with the unique opportunity of participating at the high profile Opening Ceremony of the World Police & Fire Games in Belfast on 1 August 2013, giving these young people a sense of belonging and pride in representing Ballymena borough on a world stage. The work of Ballymena Inter Ethnic forum is significant and recognised by Council under its Good Relations Strategy, whose Good Relations themes are to “Create a Climate for Change” and “Promote Provision of Above: Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr Audrey Wales MBE, along with a group of young Shared Space” for all citizens in Ballymena, so that everyone who lives, people from the borough who performed at the Opening Ceremony of the World works, socialises or visits Ballymena feels welcome, safe and respected! Police and Fire Games Opening Ceremony in August 2013. Also included is Ivy Ridge MBE, Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum, T/Insp A Ferguson PSNI, and Jackie For more information about Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum, please Patton, Community Relations Officer, Ballymena Borough Council. Picture courtesy contact Ivy Ridge on 028 2564 3605 or email [email protected]. of Ballymena TIMES newspaper. Mayor gets into the rhythm at Ballymena Primary’s World Music Day In June 2013 the Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr Audrey Wales MBE, along with pupils and staff from Ballymena Primary School participated in a World Music Day Workshop with Beyond Skin. Also included is Ivy Ridge MBE, Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum, Andrew Millar Assistant Community Relations Officer for Ballymena Borough Council, and participants. This project was supported through the European Union’s PEACE III Programme and is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North East PEACE III Partnership. Images courtesy of Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum. Great People, Great Place BALLYMENA BOROUGH COUNCIL 8 Ballymena Borough Council Working for all citizens of the Borough to grow the local economy, deliver quality efficient services and improve health and wellbeing. Ballymena North Braid Ballymena North covers the following district electoral areas: Braid covers the following district electoral areas: Academy, Ardeevin, Ballyloughan, Dunclug, Fair Green, Broughshane, Craigywarren, Glenravel, Glenwhirry and Galgorm and Park. Slemish. Cllr Audrey Wales, MBE Ald Robin Cherry, MBE DUP UUP Mob: 078 9998 5110 Tel: 028 2568 5535 Email: [email protected] Mob: 077 8575 2712 Email: [email protected]