Down Lieutenancy
The Freedom of Ards and North Down Borough was conferred on Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service on Saturday 12th October at Bangor City Hall. The Lieutenancy was represented by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Catherine Champion DL.
High Sheriff of Co Down Sue Wild, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Alistair Cathcart, Vice Lord-Lieutenant Down Catherine Champion, NI Chief Fire Office Aidan Jennings.
The volunteers at the Annesley Gardens at the Castlewellan Forest Park were very busy repotting flowers in the glass house when the Lord Lieutenant visited on 27th July. The plants, donated by Lidl through the Newcastle Community Fridge project, were being revitalised before being offered to the Castlewellan Show later in the month. It was just as well the volunteers were under cover, as heavy showers hit later. Newry Mourne and Down District Council have recently taken over responsibility for the Forest Park and have put in place a new volunteer scheme to help in the restoration of the walled garden. Clearly popular it has already drawn some 65 volunteers – and they are getting their hands dirty!
Dr Robert Logan DL attended the D Day Commemorations at Banbridge Civic Building and lit the beacon. He is pictured with 99-year-old 2nd World War veteran Johnny Gough DL, from Newry. Johnny Gough served with the Irish Guards, landing in Normandy with his battalion in August 1944, before advancing into Belgium and Holland.
The D Day 80 Beacon was lit at Bangor Castle on 6th June 2024. Vice Lord-Lieutenant Catherine Champion DL was accompanied by Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Sgt Francesca Hamilton, Mayor Ards and North Down Borough Council Alistair Cathcart, and Chief Executive Susie McCullough.
A beautiful summer’s evening saw The Lord Dunleath DL representing the Down Lieutenancy, lighting a beacon at Burr Point, Ballyhalbert, the most easterly point on the mainland of Northern Ireland, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D Day Landings. A moving ceremony with the added poignancy of its setting by the sea. He was joined by Alderman Robert Adair, Ards and North Down Borough Council.
