BOROUGHLINK ARMAGH CITY, BANBRIDGE & CRAIGAVON BOROUGH COUNCIL
RESIDENTS' MAGAZINE
TAKING THE LEAD IN LEISURE
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITIES
REGENERATION
PAGE 13
PAGE 4
PAGE 8
PAGE 17
LITTERING IS LOATHSOME
OUR GRANTS INSPIRE GREATNESS
£20M BY 2020
COMPETITION
WIN A GET ACTIVE ABC LEISURE MEMBERSHIP PAGE 19
SUMMER 2017
New plans for £30m+ South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon
BOROUGHLINK
CONTENTS: 4 Littering is loathsome 6 Fairtrade feat 7 Be a food waste recycling fan 8 Our grants inspire greatness 9 Positive path for youth 10 At your service 11 Boost your business 12 Great day at Lough Neagh 13 Taking the lead in leisure 16 Be a life saver! 17 £20m by 2020 18 Get Out Get Active 19 Move More Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon 20 Watchdogs welcome 21 Customer is king 22 Contact your councillors 24 What’s on in the borough 27 Directory of council facilities
Armagh Office The Palace Demesne Armagh BT60 4EL T: 3752 9600
FIND US ONLINE: 2
Banbridge Office Civic Building Downshire Road Banbridge BT32 3JY T: 4066 0600
Craigavon Office Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre Lakeview Road Craigavon BT64 1AL T: 3831 2400
armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk armaghbanbridgecraigavon @abcb_council
BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
In this issue We’ve got lots of interesting features, as well as exciting news about major investment that has been secured for the borough, to tell you about in this packed issue of Borough Link. In recent months we’ve been very productive in bringing forward projects that will significantly transform the borough’s leisure product over the next few years. Find out about how we’re investing in brand new leisure facilities and upgrading play areas in our main feature on pages 13 to 15. We also tell you about our new Get Active ABC leisure memberships and getactiveabc.com website. In addition, we introduce you to our new programmes that will encourage people with specific needs to enjoy the health benefits of being more active on pages 18 and 19. Plus, discover what Oxford Island National Nature Reserve has to offer by way of leisure and recreation on page 12. Turn to page 17 to find out about the £20m in private and public sector funding that is supporting regeneration projects across the borough until 2020, and how £2.09m in council funds is delivering real benefits to local communities on page 8. Check out our current business support programmes on page 11 and get an update on our multi-award winning Food Heartland Forum. Borough Link is produced by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and delivered to local households. No article or photograph in this magazine can be reproduced without the consent of the editor. © Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. If you have any comments or queries about this magazine, contact the editor on 4066 0619
In our extended environmental section on pages 4 to 7, we encourage you to support a range of new initiatives aimed at promoting a cleaner borough, become a dedicated food waste recycling fan and show your continued support for using Fairtrade products. Discover how we’re helping disengaged young people become respected and valued members of their local community on page 9, and get a summary of key services provided in 2016/17 on page 10. We update you on new legislation on page 20 and explain why we bestowed our first Honorary Freedom of the Borough award upon Ronnie McFall MBE on page 21. Check out the councillors’ contacts on pages 22 and 23 as there’s a few new faces in this year’s line-up. Our What’s On guide on pages 24 to 26 is packed with events to keep you entertained from July until November. Don’t forget to enter our competition to win a Get Active ABC leisure membership worth £355 on page 19. Enjoy summer 2017! or send an email to communications@ armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk This magazine can be provided in alternative formats upon request. Borough Link is printed on 100% recycled paper.
New Lord Mayor DUP Alderman Gareth Wilson took up the chain of office as Lord Mayor for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon on 5 June 2017. Married with two children, the 38-year-old has been a councillor for the Cusher district electoral area since 2005. He previously served as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City and District during 2009/10 and successfully chaired the new Planning Committee during its first year of operation. A graduate of the University of Ulster, Gareth got involved in politics from a young age because his real passion lies in helping people. As Lord Mayor, his key aspirations are to see the borough continue to grow economically, recognise volunteers for their valuable contribution and continue to promote the borough to a growing business and tourism market. He said, “It’s a great honour to be chosen to represent the borough as Lord Mayor. During my term I am looking forward to meeting people involved in many of the groups, associations and clubs, who through volunteering their time and effort, do so much for the community. I am eager to maximise opportunities to see our borough develop socially and economically and do what I can to make it an inspiring place to live, work and visit.” UUP Councillor Sam Nicholson will support him in the role of Deputy Lord Mayor.
Welcome back The Civic Building in Banbridge has re-opened following major renovation works, which will ensure it remains in use as a key council administrative building where public services can be delivered to people across the borough for many years to come. The renovation works focused on future-proofing the building, making it more energy-efficient, improving accessibility and reconfiguring offices to accommodate the needs of the larger organisation. Improvements include electrical rewiring of the entire building; new double-glazed windows and external doors; a gas-fired heating system upgrade; new ventilation and air conditioning systems; an IT infrastructure upgrade; the creation of new openplan and smaller offices as well as new meeting rooms; a new ramp and disabled parking spaces at the front entrance; the replacement of all ground floor ceilings; and new audio-visual equipment within a newly created Committee Room. So if you need to register a birth, renew a dog licence, have a query about bin collections or a building control application, call into the Civic Building where staff providing these services are available to help. Community Planning and Estates and Asset Management staff are also based here.
Navigate our new website We’ve improved the way we deliver information to you with the launch of our brand new website featuring a fresh and modern design.
Best of all, our new website is fully optimised which means you can easily view it and use it whether you’re on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
We've looked carefully at what you actually use our website for and designed it with your needs in mind.
You can even connect to our social media sites from the homepage at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
The homepage features clear and easy to read icons, which bring you straight to pages where you can do everything from ordering a new bin, reporting an animal welfare issue to paying for a dog licence. We’ve added a powerful new search function to help you find the information you’re looking for, as well as quick links to browse the most searched for topics. Plus, we’ve adopted a plain English approach to make sure web content is more relevant and easy to understand. BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
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WATCH OUT LITTER LOUTS! WE’LL MAKE YOU PAY IF YOU THROW IT AWAY!
£80
On the spot
fine
Littering is Littering is unsightly in all its forms whether it’s a crisp packet discarded through a car window, a cigarette butt dropped on the street, the remains of a picnic left at a beauty spot or household waste dumped in a country lane. Some might think that it does not cost much to clear up this litter. In 2015/16 we spent a staggering £2.73m on cleaning the borough’s streets, neighbourhoods, parks and public spaces. Littering degrades the quality of the local environment, negatively affects the perception of the borough and blights our lives in many ways. Research shows that littering has a direct adverse impact on property prices, health, anti-social behaviour and civic pride in an area. In fact, littering and a poor quality environment is seen as one of the first signs of social decay. The quality of the local environment is increasingly becoming the barometer that is used to assess how well an area is being managed and its suitability as a place to live, work, visit or bring up a family. With that in mind, we take a strict approach when it comes to enforcing anti-littering and illegal dumping legislation. Since last year, we’ve supported a wide range of educational and action-orientated initiatives aimed at promoting a cleaner environment: Over 20 council staff and 60 volunteers including school children supported Northern Ireland’s biggest litter clean-up operation, the BIG Spring Clean, and collected 60 bags of waste from Solitude Park, Keady Glen and along the walking and cycling paths in Craigavon. Our Environmental Wardens handed out some 10,000 free pocket ashtrays to smokers on the street. We enabled five local secondary schools to take part in the award-winning educational roadshow ‘Bin It!’ so that students can understand the importance of taking personal responsibility for correct litter disposal. We are the only council in Northern Ireland to be chosen by the Chewing Gum Action Group for three years running to deliver a high-profile campaign aimed at reducing gum litter. We delivered a £70,000 deep clean initiative that saw the removal of ingrained residues such as chewing gum, food stains, oils and greases in some 54 streets in five town centres across the borough.
4
s loathsome You too can join us in demonstrating your commitment to keeping the borough’s streets, neighbourhoods, parks and public spaces clean and tidy. Take action now! Contact us on 0300 0300 900 if you would like to support these local initiatives. Live Here Love Here
Green Dog Walkers
With dog fouling your biggest pet hate, we’ve rolled out the Green Dog Walkers initiative across the borough following a successful pilot in Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown. Green Dog Walkers aims to change attitudes about dog fouling in a non-confrontational way. Supporters wear an armband which signifies that they have taken the pledge to clean up after their dog, carry extra dog waste bags, be happy to provide a dog waste bag to those without and be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs. Those who sign up will receive a welcome pack containing an armband, a dog bone-shaped bag dispenser, doggie bags and a clip-on hand sanitiser. This initiative is one more strand to our ongoing educational and enforcement campaign to address the scourge of dog fouling in the borough.
Adopt-a-Street
We’re looking for volunteers to support our Adopt-a-Street initiative by organising a litter clean-up in their neighbourhood. Simply choose a time and place and we’ll help out by providing litter pickers, gloves and bin bags. Plus, if you’re unable to bring the waste collected to your nearest recycling centre, we’ll arrange for it to be collected. Whilst individual volunteers must be aged 16 and over, young people can get involved too provided they are supervised by an adult. In fact, we’re really keen to enlist the support of school groups and other youth organisations.
In April this year, we became a new partner of the provincewide Live Here Love Here campaign, which aims to improve the local environment and build a sense of civic pride in local communities. Live Here Love Here encourages the public to play an active role in improving the area where they live by volunteering to support initiatives such as the BIG Spring Clean and Adopt a Spot. It also operates a small grants scheme, which supports volunteers who take practical environmental action to keep the areas where they live clean and tidy. Over £15,000 was recently awarded to support clean-up projects in the borough. isit www.liveherelovehere.org to find out more about V how you can get involved in this campaign.
Bin-Ovation
You can now use the Bin-Ovation app to report incidents of littering, dog fouling, graffiti and illegal dumping which you come across when you are out and about in the borough. All you have to do is take a picture and send it to us. Using geo-location technology, we can pinpoint the exact location and take appropriate action. With your help, we’ll be able to respond quicker when clean-up operations are required, identify hotspots for environmental crime and focus our resources on catching offenders. Download the free Bin-Ovation app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
By volunteering, you’ll make a difference to tackling the litter problem, as well as fostering a sense of community pride within your area. So roll up your sleeves and join the volunteers who are already making a positive contribution to their local community.
BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
5
Fairtrade feat
Well done to everyone who supported our campaign to be officially recognised as a Fairtrade Borough! We reached this major milestone in May after demonstrating our shared commitment - residents, businesses, schools, faith organisations and community groups - to buying, using and displaying products with the Fairtrade Mark. This achievement is all the more significant because we’ve enabled Northern Ireland to move a step closer to being declared a Fairtrade region. By supporting Fairtrade, you’re supporting a global movement that gives farmers and workers in the world’s poorest countries a fair deal for their produce so that
they can earn a decent living and secure a better future for themselves and their families. Fairtrade products are made under the strictest environmental and social standards, tackling trade injustice, human trafficking, child labour and poor environmental and unsustainable practices. It’s important that we continue to support Fairtrade by obtaining commitments from new organisations. o get in touch on 0300 0300 900 and let us know if S your organisation is using Fairtrade products.
Holiday collections and closures
6
Bin collections
Kerbside boxes
Recycling centres
Bins due to be collected on Wednesday 12 July will be collected on Saturday 8 July. Bins due to be collected on Thursday 13 July will be collected on Saturday 15 July. Bins will be collected as normal on Monday 28 August.
Kerbside boxes due to be collected on Wednesday 12 July will be collected on Saturday 8 July. Kerbside boxes will be collected as normal on Thursday 13 July and Monday 28 August. *Applies only to households in the wider Armagh area.
All recycling centres in the borough will be closed to the public on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 July. However, they will be open on Monday 28 August.
BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
Eco is our ethos As a planet, we are in ecological debt. As an organisation, we’re striving to be in ecological credit by stepping up our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint. In December 2016 we demonstrated our commitment to embedding an ethos of environmental excellence throughout the whole organisation by achieving certification to the international ISO14001 Environmental Management System.
BE A FOOD WASTE RECYCLING FAN A big thank you to all householders who are doing their bit for the environment by recycling all food waste in their brown bin or caddy and helping us increase the borough’s recycling rate for biodegradable waste. We have certainly seen a marked increase in the amount of waste we are collecting from brown bins and caddies after extending our food waste recycling service to cover every single household in the council area. And the placement of a ‘No food waste please’ sticker on all blue and black bins has also been very effective in reminding householders to use their brown bin or caddy for the collection of food waste. This is all very encouraging, but we still have some way to go to convert every householder into a food waste recycling fan. Maybe this will help spur you into action. We can no longer send food waste to landfill as it has a huge impact on the environment where it rots and releases methane - a harmful greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Your food waste is brought to Natural World Products in Portadown where it is made into a nutrient-rich compost for use in gardens. The average household throws away almost £700 in food waste each year - enough to pay for a short city break or sunny getaway. Whilst some food waste such as tea bags, food scraps, fruit and vegetable peelings and meat bones are unavoidable, there’s lots you can do to prevent food waste in the first place. Plan your meals, use leftovers, store foods properly and eat short shelf life items before they expire. all 0300 0300 900 for advice on C food waste recycling.
This achievement is all the more significant because it acknowledges that the environmentally-friendly policies and practices in place in over 100 council facilities are meeting legislative compliance and addressing key areas of potential negative impact - waste management, energy use, air emissions, water use and discharge, pollution risk and transport. As we go forward, we'll continue to act as a good corporate citizen in the management of our facilities and demonstrate leadership in protecting the local environment.
OUR GRANTS INSPIRE
GREATNESS
We are fully in favour of supporting communities across the borough who want to achieve great things on their own merits and deliver inspiring projects that positively impact their own lives as well as those around them. Six community group representatives describe how our Financial Assistance Programme enabled them to make a real difference to their local community.
Armagh Amateur Boxing Club Seeding Grant - £400 “It’s been 30 years since Armagh had a boxing club. We believe that our new boxing club will provide young people in the city with a unique opportunity to learn a sport that builds confidence and instils discipline in young minds!” Donald Renaghan
The Right Key (Dromore) Arts Project Grant - £2,456 “These funds supported the instrument making workshops that we run specifically for recovering alcoholics. Participants produced hand-made pipes and bodhran drums and became skilled in playing them.” Sheila Smyth
Markethill Community Association Community Development Grant - £1,000 “These vital funds will help us get better established as a new group so that we can put on events and activities that not only bring the entire community together but also attract more visitors to our village.” Ian McCandless
Total amount allocated to date:
£2.09m
Number of grants awarded:
1,084
Annaclone Gaelic Athletic Club Capital Project Grant - £20,100 “This substantial funding package has helped the Annaclone community to avail of an off-road perimeter pathway that enables them to avoid the dangerous roadways in this rural location, while at the same time, enjoy a more active lifestyle.” John Heenan
Brownlow Festival Committee Community Events Grant - £1,000 “This financial support is helping create a vibrant and culturally rich Craigavon, supporting a week-long festival featuring great family fun, water sports, quizzes, exhibitions, tea dances and sports activities.” Gerry McIIroy
Community Intercultural Programme (Craigavon) Good Relations Grant - £7,850 “This funding helped deliver one of the largest summer schemes in Northern Ireland involving 300 children from 12 different cultures. Some 100 ethnic young people trained and worked in the scheme as volunteers.” Stephen Smyth
Each financial year we deliver three rounds of funding which support projects across five categories: arts culture and events, capital project, community development, good relations and rural linkages. The next call for grant applications will open on 21 August 2017. For more information on our Financial Assistance Programme, go to www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk or call 3831 2420. 8
BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
BE SCAM Positive path for youth WISE! Not every young person starts out in life on a positive path. Some end up on the wrong side of the law for engaging in anti-social behaviour or low-level crime, which taints their lives and future prospects. We have a successful track record of working with disengaged, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people - providing support at a time when they most need it, and offering them opportunities to improve their lives and become fully engaged, respected and valued members of their local community. Two key programmes, which exemplify our work in this area, have provided a lifeline to over 26,000 young people in the borough in recent years. Youth Engagement Programme This early intervention programme provides support to 14 to 17-year-olds who are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system. Every year around 40 young people are referred to this programme, which offers workshops on topics such as alcohol and drugs awareness, one punch kills, the law and healthy relationships, and provides activities such as water sports, archery, mountain biking, day trips and a weekend residential course. Co-ordinated by the local Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and supported by the Youth Justice Agency, Education Authority and PSNI, it aims to help participants build their confidence and self-esteem, understand how their actions affect others, develop relationships with positive role models, as well as learn from peer mentors who have turned their lives around as a result of their participation in the programme. Sustainable Communities Programme Delivered by our instructors at Kinnego Bushcraft Centre in Craigavon, this programme links in with the work of youth clubs, schools and the Youth Justice Agency and has a great influence and far-reaching effect in supporting young people. It provides opportunities throughout the year for some 4,700 young people from disadvantaged areas to participate in outdoor adventure, survival and learning experiences such as fishing and camping trips. It also offers activities such as walking and tracking to help vulnerable young people, who are in care, have been affected by drug abuse or suicide or have mental health issues as a result of abuse. Our instructors also provide mentoring support to young offenders who clear up woodlands and pick litter as part of their community service. Both programmes demonstrate the importance we place on investing in young people, engaging with them in a meaningful way and helping them realise their full potential.
One in five people in Northern Ireland has been the victim of a scam in the last three years.
Your local Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) believes education is the best weapon in helping prevent you from being conned out of your cash. So the message it is sending out to the local community is as follows:
If you can spot the scam, you can stop the scam. Remember this S.C.A.M acronym Seems too good to be true. Contacted out of the blue. Asked for personal details. Money is requested. Fraud crime is often unreported because many people who are scammed feel they are to blame for falling for it. But it’s not their fault. If you have or know someone who has been a victim of fraud, no matter how small, you should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the PSNI on 101. ScamWise NI, a major awareness campaign launched in December 2016 by the NI Policing Board, PSNI and the Department of Justice, aims to help people get wise to scams. The PCSP is supporting this campaign by educating the local community, in particular older and more vunerable people, about how to spot, stop and report scams. all the PCSP on 3752 9652 or visit C www.nidirect.gov.uk to find out more about ScamWise NI. BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
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64p
Small rise, big return With most households financially stretched, we were keen not to overburden ratepayers this year and set a below inflationary district rate increase of 1.76%, which equates to 64p a month for the average household. However, due to the delay in setting the regional rate this year, it was May before ratepayers got to see the overall impact that the regional rate increase had on their final rate bill when combined with the district rate.
Council expenditure for 2017/18
70+9+21 £82.3m
District rate £59.4m Revenue from services £15.7m Grants £7.2m
This year’s budget reflects our ambition to deliver high quality, cost-effective services, provide first-class facilities, progress capital investment projects, support the borough’s future development and, most importantly, grow the local economy. Despite being faced with additional cost pressures, we’re committed to making sure we consistently seek value for money while balancing the needs, priorities and expectations of all residents. I f you need help with paying your rates, contact Land and Property Services on 0300 200 7801 or go to www.nidirect.gov.uk
10 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
At your service As the second largest council in Northern Ireland, we are continually striving to deliver services that are efficient, cost-effective and of an exemplary standard. Below is a summary of services provided to over 207,800 citizens between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017. Hopefully this serves as a helpful reminder of the work we carry out on your behalf. Investigated 1,080 animal welfare complaints.
Refurbished 1,803 items of household furniture at Restore in Banbridge.
Maintained 43 public parks and 95 play areas.
Approved 1,479 planning applications.
Investigated 828 noise complaints.
Produced the borough’s first Community Plan.
Welcomed 108,121 visitors to our theatre and museums.
Provided summer sports and arts activities for 8,549 children.
Established the Food Heartland Forum to Food Heartland champion local food and drink producers.
Registered 2,968 births, 1,579 deaths, 727 marriages and 2 civil partnerships.
Delivered 49 community safety projects.
Achieved a recycling rate of 49%.
Provided public toilets at 21 sites across the borough.
Issued 18,180 dog licences and 291 entertainment licences.
Achieved 9 Green Flags for our parks and a Purple Flag for Armagh City's vibrant night-time economy.
Supported 910 companies and entrepreneurs through our business programmes.
Provided grant aid of £645,181 to 351 community groups.
Collected 4,425 items of bulky waste and emptied 1,159 waste bins.
Carried out 1,682 food safety inspections.
Supported 1,400 people through our GP exercise referral scheme.
Processed 3,485 building applications and carried out 17,443 site inspections.
Collected 55,913 bins and 22,450 kerbside boxes of recyclable household waste.
Boost your business Do you need help in propelling your business to greater success? If so, you may be interested in the business programmes that we run each year which aim to:
Growth Driver Innovation - benefit from intensive mentoring if you’re keen to invest in innovation and growth as well as create new jobs.
support growth and promote start-up; encourage innovation and development in key growth sectors; and equip businesses with the right skills to improve their performance.
Social Enterprise - support for 15 existing and 20 new social economy enterprises to grow and develop new opportunities across the borough.
We’re currently delivering a range of business programmes that can help boost your business:
Life Science Forum - join a network of key interested individuals, companies and sector support bodies collaborating to drive the sector forward.
Go For It - get free help and advice with developing your own business plan.
Creative Momentum - support for artists, craftspeople and creative sector enterprises to develop their creative and business skills.
Export Development - exploit new sales opportunities in Great Britain, Republic of Ireland, India and North America. Digital Tech Sector - improve the digital skills of young people and 100 businesses over the next three years. Business Engagement - receive up to 20 hours of one-to-one mentoring support tailored to your business needs.
Food Heartland - be part of a forum championing the borough’s high quality food and drink producers. or further information on these programmes F or to sign up for our business bulletin, go to www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Savouring our success Our efforts to build the borough’s reputation as the Food Heartland of Northern Ireland were recognised in February at this year's NI Food and Drink Awards. Our pioneering Food Heartland Forum was named overall winner in two top categories - ‘Best Food Story’ and ‘Roots to Market’ - by the industry's best food writers and critics. The Food Heartland Forum was also highly commended for the ‘Destination Delicious’ award. Delivered in conjunction with NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, the Food Heartland Forum has and continues to be a real success story on many fronts. Not only has it championed the abundance of quality food and drink produced in the area to a local, national and international audience, but also brought together more than 250 local food production and hospitality businesses to collaborate on creating a strong and unique food brand in the marketplace. Plus, it has put the borough firmly on the map as a top foodie destination.
In March we organised a special reception at The Palace Demesne in Armagh to congratulate all stakeholders, including chefs, local producers, food businesses, council staff and Food NI representatives, who played a part in making the Food Heartland initiative a phenomenal success. In the same month, we launched a three-year plan to ensure the Food Heartland Forum continues to champion local produce and support the borough’s thriving agri-food sector. all 0300 0300 900 if you would like to become a new C member of the Food Heartland Forum. BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 11
Great day at Lough Neagh Situated on the southern shores of Lough Neagh, Oxford Island offers the ultimate outdoor oasis for families, sanctuary seekers, nature lovers, anglers, bird watchers, canoeists, walkers, cyclists as well as camping and sailing enthusiasts. Recognised as one of the province’s most popular visitor attractions, this National Nature Reserve and public recreation site welcomes over 300,000 people a year. So why is Oxford Island, which was first developed in the late 1960s and covers an area of 282 acres, so popular? Apart from its stunning scenery, wealth of wildlife habitats, extensive network of walking trails and bird watching hides, it is also home to Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Kinnego Marina and Kinnego Bushcraft Centre. Lough Neagh Discovery Centre Located at the northern tip, Lough Neagh Discovery Centre offers spectacular views of the lough, a café, a gift shop, tourist information, an exhibition area and conference facilities along with a local history and Christian heritage book collection.
© Andy Griggs
It’s the main port of call for visitors who are keen to learn all about the history, heritage and wildlife in and around Lough Neagh. The centre, which also runs an excellent environmental education programme, has been awarded a prestigious Quality Badge by the UK-wide Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, first in 2015 and again this year.
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Kinnego Marina At the southern tip is Kinnego Marina, which offers 190 sheltered berths, making it the largest on Lough Neagh. Visitors can watch the world go by in the marina’s café, take a boat trip on the Master McGra and Coney Explorer or do a canoeing, powerboat and sailing course. There’s also the option of extending a day trip with a stay at the marina’s 3-star caravan and camping park complete with eco pods. Kinnego Bushcraft Centre Visitors can make their experience even more memorable by booking a survival in the wild course offered by Kinnego Bushcraft Centre where they can learn skills including camp craft, shelter building, making fires and identifying wild food and plants. Yurts and teepees can even be hired out for groups and family accommodation. Oxford Island is easy to get to. Take the M1, turn off at Junction 10 and follow signs for Oxford Island/Lough Neagh Discovery Centre. For information on upcoming events or activities, visit www.oxfordisland.com. Call Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on 3832 2205 or Kinnego Marina on 3832 7573.
taking the lead in leisure
Councils have a lead role to play in improving the health and well-being of local communities, with leisure provision one of the key areas most likely to have the greatest positive influence. This is where citizens are more inclined to come into contact with facilities, services and support mechanisms that directly improve their lives. For this reason, we place a high premium on making sure our leisure facilities are first-class and leisure services are second to none. After all, we manage one of the largest portfolios of open space, sports and leisure facilities in the province, offering endless opportunities for local people to increase their participation in sport and recreation. In this feature, we update you on a number of key projects which demonstrate our commitment to improving and investing in the borough’s leisure product both now and in the future.
In 2016/17 we spent £10.04m -
equal to 12.26% of our total budget on providing these leisure facilities:
1 0 leisure and recreation centres 5 swimming pools 4 3 parks and 95 play areas 6 4 pitches and playing fields C lare Glen C limbing wall at Gilford Community Centre C orbet Lough C raigavon Golf Ski Centre C raigavon Watersports Centre K innego Bushcraft Centre K innego Marina L oughgall County Park N ewry Canal Towpath O xford Island National Nature Reserve including Lough Neagh Discovery Centre Tannaghmore Gardens and Animal Farm BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 13
South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon Following an extensive consultation period with a range of organisations and individuals, the new super leisure centre at the South Lakeshore, Craigavon now has an improved design and offering for all. The dynamic £30m+ leisure centre - the largest in our ambitious capital investment programme - will significantly enhance the borough’s leisure product and be one of the best examples of indoor and outdoor leisure provision in the province, catering for the diverse needs of all users.
Situated at the current site of the Watersports Centre adjacent to Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre, the new state of the art leisure facility will offer a varied range of indoor and outdoor activities for all members of the community including families, élite athletes and sports organisations. Subject to a planning application being approved, it is expected that work on this much awaited project will get underway early next year.
Future leisure and sport provision for Armagh Major capital investment has also been earmarked for Armagh in terms of new and improved leisure and sport facilities. We’re currently examining a number of options for transforming and shaping how these services can be delivered in Armagh in the long-term.
Several key objectives have been set for this ambitious development, which include a high-class regional facility/ centre of excellence, providing indoor and outdoor sport facilities, floodlighting and sports science that would cater for regional and local sports organisations.
First opened in 1968, Orchard Leisure Centre has served the community well and is one of the best attended leisure centres in the province. However, the growth of the population coupled with a strong sporting tradition has given impetus to develop proposals for further enhancing the offering to better accommodate the needs of individual users, athletes and sports organisations.
To date, we’ve held initial consultations with a range of stakeholders and sought their views on what they consider to be important by way of new leisure and sport provision for the area. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way as we progress this project.
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Major investment for play areas
New Get Active ABC memberships
It’s essential to ensure our play areas are maintained to a high standard, developed to meet local need and well designed to provide great opportunities for children across the borough to play freely.
Our new Get Active ABC leisure membership packages were introduced in early April, giving customers using our leisure and recreation centres greater choice, flexibility and value than ever before.
This year, we undertook a strategic review to independently assess the condition of play equipment at each of our 95 play areas. We examined the playability value of equipment and the wider play setting, population demographics to ascertain current and future potential levels of supply and demand along with existing gaps in provision.
After reviewing the indoor leisure product provided by the three legacy councils, we took the best features of each and combined these to create a unique offering that is unrivalled by other leisure providers in the province.
The review formed the basis of a new play strategy which has identified priorities for future investment as part of a five-year rolling replacement programme. Some 44 play parks across the borough have been identified as being in need of refurbishment at an estimated cost of £4.75m over the next five years. As a result, £950,000 will be allocated each year to improving play provision in the borough. The first set of play areas to be identified for refurbishment include:
A venue Road, Lurgan D onacloney D romore Town Park D rumilly Green, Portadown L ongstone, Armagh L urgan Park
M arkethill P oyntzpass W aringstown
So whether you work out in a gym at our leisure and recreation centres, make a splash in our swimming pools or take part in our fitness classes, there are many advantages to becoming a Get Active ABC member:
C hoose to use one or all ten leisure and recreation centres. T here’s Platinum, Gold and Silver memberships to suit all budgets and activity preferences (all-inclusive, gym only or pool only). P ay monthly or annually. N o admin or induction fee. N o contract. Cancel at any time. F reeze option available. S ingle and family memberships available. P riority booking privileges. C oncession packages available. L oyalty discount available. A Get Active ABC leisure membership is all the incentive you need to reinvigorate your exercise regime, boost your fitness level and take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
New leisure website at getactiveabc.com We’ve developed a new modern website that brings together a wealth of information about all physical activity and recreational opportunities across the borough so that you can easily find out everything you need to know about our entire leisure product in one place. getactiveabc.com should be your first port of call if you need to book activities or find out about leisure memberships, facility opening times, fitness classes, sports activities, swimming pool timetables, camping, water sports, golfing, snow sports, pitches and sports halls, walking and cycling routes, children’s birthday party packages and new physical activity programmes.
BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 15
Be a life saver! Being able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a life-threatening emergency situation such as a cardiac arrest is an essential skill that everyone should learn.
and delivered 30-minute CPR training sessions to 50 sports students at the Southern Regional College’s Lurgan campus.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with the British Heart Foundation to offer a free training course, Heartstart, to members of the local community.
In addition, we’ve installed 42 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at our facilities and are committed to getting more of these life-saving devices installed at key council locations across the borough.
During the two-hour course, you will learn how to perform CPR and help someone who is choking, having a heart attack or bleeding heavily. Just two hours out of your life could help save somebody else’s life.
We’re continually educating the public on how to reduce their risk of heart disease by visiting local groups to offer free programmes around nutrition, weight management and exercise.
We’re taking your health to heart in other ways. We supported Restart a Heart Day on 18 October 2016
all 3831 2533 to register for Heartstart or request C information on our health and well-being programmes.
Treat your little monkeys to a
and yourself to a stress-free, mess-free day! Great choice of activities and sports: Badminton • Basketball • Bouncy castle Climbing wall • Football • Netball • Scooters Snow tubing • Swimming • Table tennis Unihoc • Volleyball • Water inflatables and much more Children’s activities and party packages vary by facility. Check out our competitively-priced packages at:
getactiveabc.com
Get the best Bear Grylls experience in the borough!
One and two-day courses available for individuals and groups of all ages.
Survivor Man Family Bushcraft
Introduction to Survival
Two-Day Aboriginal Wildlife Bushcra ft ut bo Walka
Junior Expedition
Young Survivalist
Kinnego Bushcraft Centre Oxford Island, Kinnego Marina, 27 Annaloiste Road, Lurgan, Craigavon BT66 6NJ Call 3834 2040 or visit getactiveabc.com Booking is essential.
16 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 Birthday 1/4pg .indd 2
25/05/2017 Bushcraft 1/4pg 15:06.indd 1
25/05/2017 15:07
£20m by
2020
£3.91m
Armagh City and Lurgan The Heritage Lottery Fund has committed £3.91m through its Townscape Heritage programme to preserve the built heritage of Armagh City and Lurgan over the next few years. Up to 30 historic buildings in each area’s commercial core could be restored and brought back into sustainable use.
£2.4m
Keady and Richhill We're currently carrying out two environmental improvement schemes in Keady and Richhill at a cost of £2.4m. Due to complete this summer, both schemes will transform the streetscape and enhance the main thoroughfares of these two rural villages so that they offer much enhanced shared public spaces.
£230,000
£250,000
City and town centres We’ve allocated £250,000 to deliver schemes focused on town centre gateway signage, shopfront improvements and alternative uses for vacant properties. In addition, we’re preparing an evening economy strategy and planning promotional campaigns for city and town centres.
£2m
Banbridge Work will soon commence on a scheme in Banbridge to improve the pedestrian link between the town centre and the recently developed bus station. Plans are also being developed to redesign a number of streets in line with Banbridge Masterplan proposals - representing a council and DfC investment of over £2m.
£2.95m
Portadown We’ve topped up a £1.9m investment from the Department for Communities (DfC) with an additional £800,000 to improve gateways to Portadown town centre. We, along with DfC, have also invested over £250,000 converting the former Pump House on the bank of the Bann into a riverside café.
£8.02m
Rural areas We’re delivering £8.02m in funding under Priority 6 of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 to support rural communities. We’re using these funds to deliver programmes aimed at improving local services, creating jobs, strengthening transport links and enhancing digital accessibility.
Craigavon Thanks to a joint council and DfC investment of £230,000, Lakeview Footbridge, which links South Lake and Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre to Rushmere, is being upgraded. The footbridges are key to accessibility within Craigavon and it is hoped additional funding can be secured for other bridges in the central area.
£1.5m
The borough is on the cusp of an exciting period of economic growth and revitalisation owing to our success in securing significant funding from the public and private sectors. A large number of regeneration projects are already being delivered across the borough while others are planned for the next few years, bringing the total investment to £20m by 2020. We pledge to make sure everyone feels the benefits right across the borough.
Dromore A further programme of public realm improvements, estimated at £1.5m and supported by DfC, is also planned for Market Square and Bridge Street in the heart of Dromore, connecting the town centre with the river Lagan and enhancing the town’s historic core.
We’re also focused on attracting inward investment from further afield too: In October 2016 we debuted at MIPIM UK, the largest exhibition and conference for property professionals held at Olympia London, and promoted the borough as a prime investment location to more than 2,000 companies, 40 local authorities, several city investment boards and hundreds of investors.
I n February 2017 we organised Northern Ireland’s first regeneration conference at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre. ‘Sharing Our Potential’ attracted strong interest from company directors, developers, planners, policy makers and investors keen to explore opportunities in the borough. BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 17
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is an exciting new threeyear programme being delivered across the borough in a bid to encourage less active people of all ages and abilities to come together and increase their participation in sport and physical activity. Working in partnership with Live Active NI, we are one of only two councils in Northern Ireland and one of only 18 in the UK to be chosen to be part of GOGA, which has been funded by the London Olympics legacy charity ‘Spirit of 2012’ as part of a £4.5m investment stimulus. GOGA is designed to help physically inactive members of the local community, who need encouragement and support, to take those first steps towards a more active, healthy lifestyle. GOGA has been a phenomenal success to date, with 150 people joining clubs throughout the borough
and enjoying activities suited to their specific needs such as walking football, cycling, walking, chair-based exercise and dance. Moreover, we’ve extended GOGA’s reach by linking up with our Inclusive Sport and Leisure Programme. Supported by Disability Sport NI, this programme has been instrumental in making sport accessible and enjoyable to over 2,700 disabled people since 2012. This joined-up approach to delivering both programmes have allowed us to offer a wider range of sports and leisure opportunities to less active members of the community. Furthermore, it has encouraged them to make better use of council leisure facilities and local sports clubs. o find out about the GOGA activities taking place T in your area this summer, call 3832 2205 or visit www.liveactiveni.co.uk
Let’s get physic-all We’re great advocates of encouraging people with disabilities to get more exercise. Craigavon Leisure Centre is the first leisure facility in the borough to acquire a unique exercise rehabilitation machine (THERA-Trainer) that enables people with specific mobility needs to exercise their legs or upper body with or without motorised assistance from a chair or wheelchair. More commonly found in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, the THERA-Trainer gently encourages movement and improves many other aspects of health including muscle power, circulation and flexibility, stamina and fluid retention. Studies have shown it to be particularly beneficial in helping people who 18 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
have suffered a stroke, are paraplegic or been affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s - having a positive effect on the progression of these diseases. The THERA-Trainer, which is proving very popular amongst disabled gym users, is a welcome addition to the extensive collection of equipment at the Inclusive Sports Facility accredited Craigavon Leisure Centre. You can use the adjustable machine during normal opening hours provided that you are aged 13 and over and have completed a gym induction.
WIN
a Get Active ABC leisure membership
worth £355!
We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win an all-inclusive Platinum Get Active ABC leisure membership. This great prize entitles the winner to have all-inclusive use of the facilities at our ten leisure and recreation centres. This includes gyms, fitness classes, swimming pools, racket sports and health suites where applicable. To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, simply tell us what you think about this issue of Borough Link.
A new physical activity programme aimed at helping people living with cancer is being delivered as part of a joint initiative between us and our partners Macmillan Cancer Support and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. A recent and growing body of evidence has shown that physical activity can help people cope with the side effects of treatment, increase survival rates as well as prevent the disease from progressing or recurring. However, some 77% of people living with cancer are not active enough. Launched in March, Move More Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon helps people diagnosed with cancer to find effective ways to get and stay active, no matter where they are on their cancer journey, including those who have completed treatment. With funding provided by Macmillan, we’ve employed a Move More Co-ordinator whose role is to: help people living with cancer to understand the benefits of physical activity; promote opportunities available in the local area; and provide the support and encouragement they may need to become and remain active in an activity they enjoy. In addition to accessing a range of activities already available throughout the borough, Move More participants will be able to benefit from free taster sessions, discounted leisure membership rates and a range of cancer-specific activities so that they will have the opportunity to be active with other people living with cancer. all the Move More Co-ordinator on 07711 756 836 to get involved in this C new programme or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/movemore
Sponsor: FP McCann – the civil engineering company responsible for overseeing the £2.68m Portadown Linkages public realm project. Closing date for entries: 31 July 2017 Email entries: competition@armaghbanbridgecraigavon. gov.uk Postal entries: Borough Link Competition, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Old Technical Building, 3 Downshire Road, Banbridge BT32 3JY Terms and conditions: Only one entry per person. Entrants must be aged 16 and over and reside within the borough. Council employees cannot enter. No cash or alternative prize will be offered. BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 19
Blind to danger Window blind cords have been responsible for the deaths of 16 children in the UK since 2010. It only takes 18 seconds or less for a child to be strangled by a window blind cord, with children aged 16 to 36 months most at risk. Follow this advice to make sure your little ones are not exposed to this potentially lethal hazard: Examine every blind in your home to make sure cords and chains cannot be reached by babies and young children. Fit a safety device to all window blinds with cords or chains to ensure that they are secured. Move beds, cots, highchairs, playpens and furniture away from windows with cords or chains. Be cautious of blind cords or chains when out in public or when visiting family and friends. or more advice on making your window blinds safer, go to F www.makeitsafe.org.uk and watch a video highlighting the dangers of blind cords at www.nidirect.gov.uk
No pooches in play areas Keeping our little citizens safe while they enjoy outdoor recreational fun in our play areas is a top priority for us. For this reason, we’ve used powers permitted under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011 to designate children’s play areas as dog-free zones after carrying out public consultation showing widespread support for this. The Dog Exclusion (No.1) Order 2017 was introduced in May, making it an offence to allow a dog (except for guide dogs) to enter children’s play areas with a £80 fixed penalty for failing to comply. We’ve placed signs at all 95 play areas across the borough to make dog owners aware of this new legal requirement. 20 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
Watchdogs welcome We welcome your help in reporting local businesses that breach new legislation relating to the display of food hygiene ratings and the sale of tobacco products. Food Hygiene Rating (NI) Act 2016 This new law came into effect on 7 October 2016, making it a legal requirement for all food businesses which have received a statutory food hygiene rating to display that rating prominently at all public entrances to their premises. The food hygiene rating scheme helps you choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving you information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafés, takeaways, hotels, supermarkets and other food shops. The rating, which is given by our Environmental Health Officers at the time of inspection, shows how closely a business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene law. Ratings range from zero (urgent improvement necessary) to five (very good) and the ratings for all businesses are published online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings Tobacco Retailers Act (NI) 2014 Similarly, this legisation made it illegal after 6 April 2016 for retailers to sell tobacco products if their business is not listed on a new central tobacco register. This register was introduced to help councils enforce tobacco control legislation. You can log onto www.tobaccoregisterni.gov.uk to check whether your tobacco retailer is registered to sell tobacco products. o report suspected breaches, contact Environmental T Health on 0300 0300 900.
With thousands of customers using our services every day, our goal is to provide the highest possible standards and embed a culture of continuous improvement within our organisation. We’ve embraced a new statutory duty placed on councils by the Local Government Act (NI) 2014, which aims to secure continuous improvement while carrying out new and existing functions. Each year we are required to produce a Performance Improvement Plan, which identifies a number of improvement objectives and explains why we chose these, how we will measure our progress along with the improvements customers can expect to see.
The following four objectives have been identified for 2017/18 following consultation with a wide range of stakeholder groups:
ic econom e v o r p Im he across t growth ugh. boro
Protect, enhance and promote the built, natural and cultural heritage, creating vibrant and at tractive urban and rural areas.
Increase customer satisfaction and accessibilit y to council services.
mote Provide and pro s for itie more opportun ve their people to impro and l physical, menta g e b social well- in d through increase participation.
These objectives align with priorities outlined in key strategic corporate documents such as our Corporate Plan and newly published Community Plan entitled Connected. We welcome your ongoing feedback and comments or suggestions on how we might improve our services and, in particular, if you would like to propose any new improvement objectives. Call 0300 0300 900 to request a copy of our Performance Improvement Plan or download it at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Recognition for Ronnie Portadown footballing legend Ronnie McFall MBE has become the first celebrated citizen to be awarded Freedom of the Borough. During his illustrious career, he made a tremendous contribution to the borough and community both as a professional footballer and through his services as a manager. His impressive list of achievements make him most deserving of this prestigious recognition: He represented Portadown, Dundee United, Ards and Glentoran as a player. He was the longest-serving club manager in European football until he retired in March 2016, having served 29 years as manager of his hometown team, Portadown Football Club. He is amongst the most successful managers in the history of the Irish League having claimed five league titles, four Irish Cups and 20 other trophies during his time with Glentoran and Portadown. He was also a five-time 'Manager of the Year' award winner. During his career, he managed the Irish League Select Team and the NI U23 Team. Ronnie helped transform football within the Portadown area and testimony to this was his ability to sustain success at such a high level for decades. A prestigious ceremony was held at Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre on 13 May 2017 to pay tribute to Ronnie as he received the highest of council honours. BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2016 21
CONTACT YOUR COUNCILLORS
BANB
ARMAGH DISTRICT ELECTORAL AREA
Banbridge
Blackwatertown, Cathedral, Demesne, Keady, Navan, The Mall
Deputy Lord Mayor
Alderman
Mealla Campbell SDLP 07729 220 040
Freda Donnelly DUP 07760 175 412
Garath Keating SF 07809 288 049
Darren McNally SF 07851 630 292
Sam Nicholson UUP 07713 074 776
Hamiltonsbawn, Markethill, Rich
Alderman
Declan McAlinden SDLP 07760 231 410
Robert Smith DUP 07714 278 030
Glenn Bar UUP 07713 391
CUSHER DISTRI
CRAIGAVON DISTRICT ELECTORAL AREA
Bleary, Brownlow, Craigavon Centre, Derrytrasna, Kernan
Fergal Lennon SF 07841 462 585
Thomas O’Hanlon SDLP 07743 930 427
Alderman
Margaret Tinsley DUP 07990 501 568
Kenneth Twyble UUP 07780 961 697
LAGAN RIVER DISTRICT ELECTORAL AREA
Donaghcloney, Dromore, Gransha, Quilly, Waringstown
Paul Berry IND 07889 731 911
Sharon Ha SDLP 07980 21
LURGAN DISTRI
Aghagallon, Knocknashane, Lou
Alderman
Mark Baxter DUP 07833 196 996
Carol Black IND 07919 493 883
Hazel Gamble DUP 07979 158 731
Paul Rankin DUP 07714 835 878
Marc Woods UUP 07815 122 694
Maire Cairns SF 07749 142 373
PORTADOWN DISTRICT ELECTORAL AREA
Ballybay, Corcrain, Killycomain, Loughgall, Mahon, The Birches
Alderman
Darryn Causby DUP 07850 592 494
22 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
Paul Duffy SF 07593 382 367
Julie Flaherty UUP 07710 562 611
Arnold Hatch UUP 07711 713 737
David Jones UKIP 07751 149 737
Louise Templeton DUP 07766 117 917
Keith Hau SF 07590 26
BRIDGE DISTRICT ELECTORAL AREA
e East, Banbridge North, Banbridge South, Banbridge West, Gilford, Loughbrickland, Rathfriland Alderman
rr
1 927
Ian Burns UUP 07733 303 712
Alderman
Seamus Doyle SDLP 07889 501 121
Paul Greenfield DUP 07841 595 633
Alderman
Elizabeth Ingram UUP 07712 881 290
Junior McCrum DUP 07917 543 668
Kevin Savage SF 07919 214628
ICT ELECTORAL AREA
hhill, Seagahan, Tandragee
Lurgan Alderman
Craigavon
Lord Mayor
Portadown Lagan River
aughey
13 712
Gordon Kennedy UUP 07833 527 821
Jim Speers UUP 07713 062 239
Armagh
Gareth Wilson DUP 07788 156 519
Cusher
Banbridge
ICT ELECTORAL AREA
ugh Road, Magheralin, Mourneview, Parklake, Shankill
ughian
64 227
Liam Mackle SF 07720 211 273
Colin McCusker UUP 07740 123 898
Terence McWilliams Philip Moutray DUP DUP 07973 889 983 07512 727 701
WHO’S IN
6
POWER?
These 41 councillors are responsible for shaping local services and making important decisions that make a real difference to you and your community. They should be your first point of contact if you want to comment on a service or see some action on an issue that affects you.
8
Joe Nelson SDLP 07768 302 110
1 2 13 Number of seats by political party
Democratic Unionist Party Ulster Unionist Party Sinn Féin Social Democratic and Labour Party United Kingdom Independence Party Independent
11 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 23
YOUR GUIDE TO
WHAT'S ON IN THE BOROUGH AUGUST
JULY
Love Parks Week - Park Explorers 2-5 August, 10am-1pm People’s Park, Portadown Celebrate everything your local park has to offer during Love Parks Week. 3831 2597 portadownpeoplespark.co.uk
All Ireland Pipe Band Championships 1 July, 10am-6pm Lurgan Park Join over 1,000 drummers and pipers from all over Ireland as they compete in this major event. rspbani.org
Family Fun Day & World War I Display
Linenfields Music Festival
1 July, 10am-5pm Peggy’s Loaning, Banbridge Experience a World War I camp and trench with historic re-enactors, live music and children’s games.
3-5 August, Various times Lenaderg, Banbridge A musical extravaganza featuring Free Community Night, Rock Night and Country Night. linenfieldsfestival.com
Rainbow Communications Loughgall Country Park Rally 7-8 July, 10am-4pm Loughgall Country Park A great racing event featuring two-wheel drive cars and 75 teams from across the UK. anicc.org.uk
Boyne Anniversary Festival 10-12 July, Various times Richhill A traditional twelfth of July cultural celebration featuring local and regional bands. armaghorange.co.uk
Royal 13th Celebrations 13 July, 11.15am onwards Scarva and Scarvagh Estate A major procession and a re-enactment of the Battle of the Boyne including the famous sham fight. 24 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
All Ireland Road Bowls Finals
Great Expectations Outdoor Theatre 21 July, 7.30pm-10pm Solitude Park, Banbridge Charles Dicken’s epic tale is brought to life with traditional music and characters in period costume. 4066 0622 armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
John Hewitt International Summer School 24-29 July, Various times The Marketplace Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh A multi-arts festival offering engagement with high-quality artists and writers along with workshops. 3752 1821 johnhewittsociety.org
4-6 August, 11am onwards Madden, Armagh A unique cultural sporting event attracting national athletes and international visitors. irishroadbowling.ie
Wickerman Celebration 5 August, 6pm-10.30pm Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh See the spectacular burning of a 40-foot Wickerman. 3752 9644 armagh.co.uk
UEFA Women's U19 Championship 8-20 August, Various times Lurgan and Portadown A showcase of European football’s best female players in the under-19 age group. irishfa.com
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
European Heritage Open Days
Armagh 10 Mile Road Race and 4 Mile Fun Challenge
9-10 September, Various times Various locations across the borough A unique opportunity to gain free admission to some of the borough’s most stunning architectural gems. armagh.co.uk 3752 1800
8 October, 12pm-3pm Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh Armagh’s annual road race is a popular sporting event. 3752 9636 navan.com
Country Comes to Town
7 Hills Blues Fest 10-13 August, Various times Armagh City Centre Enjoy an amazing line-up of worldclass blues musical entertainment. armagh.co.uk 3752 1800
Banbridge BuskFest 12 August, 1pm-6pm Banbridge Town Centre Musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers battle it out for big cash prizes. 4066 0632 buskfest.com
16 September, 10am-4pm Portadown Town Centre Embrace rural life with animals, tractors, vintage vehicles, music, stalls plus more. 07927 963 092 countrycomestotown.co.uk
Food and Cider Festival 28 September-1 October, Various times Various locations across the borough Celebrate a tasty feast of our finest cuisine with the best of local cider during harvest season. 3752 1800 armagh.co.uk
Halloween Fireworks Extravaganza 26 October, 5pm-9pm Rushmere/Craigavon Lakes Fang-tastic activities at Rushmere Shopping Centre followed by a bewitching fireworks display at Craigavon Lakes. 3834 2669
Markethill Fair Day
74th NI International Ploughing Championships & 6 Nations Vintage Ploughing Championships
Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre
19 August, 10am onwards Main Street, Markethill A family-friendly event showcasing the rich rural heritage of Markethill. markethillhorseandpony drivingclub.com
29-30 September, 10am-5pm Donaghcloney An amazing display of static agricultural machinery exhibits and attractions for all ages. niploughing.com
28 October, 10am-5pm Richhill Richhill celebrates the end of the apple harvest with a unique all day food festival. 3752 1800
Spooktacular 30 October, 5.30pm-9.30pm People’s Park, Portadown A monster evening of fun with creepy characters, music, face painting, balloon modelling and more. 3831 2597 portadownpeoplespark.co.uk
Charles Wood Festival of Music & Summer School 20-27 August, Various times Various venues across Armagh Young singers improve their musical abilities while enjoying a rich cultural experience. 3752 1800 charleswoodsummerschool.org BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 25
NOVEMBER John O’Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Festival 3-5 November, Various times Various venues across Armagh Writing classes for new and emerging writers, plus public literary arts and music events. 07557 405 186 thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ONS Put these dates in your diary for a magical Christmas experience as our city and towns light up in celebration of the season and put on a fanfare of festive fun for families across the borough.
Georgian Festival Banquet 24 November, 7pm-11.30pm The Palace Demesne, Armagh Join us for an exquisite Georgian banquet experience featuring local food and drink. 3752 1800 armagh.co.uk
Georgian Festival William Kennedy Piping Festival 16-19 November, Various times Various venues across Armagh Join Armagh Pipers Club for its 24th annual piping festival. 3751 1248 armaghpipers.com
25 November, 10am-9pm and 26 November, 10am-2pm Armagh City Centre Experience Armagh as the Ancient Cathedral City is transformed back to its Georgian roots. 3752 1800 armagh.co.uk
Lurgan 17 November 5.30pm-7.15pm Portadown 24 November 5.30pm-7.15pm Banbridge 24 November 7pm-9pm Armagh 25 November 10am-9pm
EXHIBITIONS Armagh County Museum Fews Forest by Geraldine Grimley
Armagh Photographic Competition and Exhibition 14 September - 28 October 2017 This annual exhibition attracts entries from all over Northern Ireland.
The Throne of the Quiet Man 3 November 2017 - 2 January 2018 Rare examples of country furniture representing the lost art of Irish country chair-making.
A County in Focus 15 June - 30 September 2017 A look back in time through the lens of Armagh photographer Ernest Scott.
Armagh Art Club Summer Exhibition 24 June - 1 September 2017 An exhibition of paintings by local artists from the county and beyond. 26 BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017
Childsplay 10 November 2017 - 13 January 2018 An exhibition showcasing toys from the museum’s collection. Armagh County Museum is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm 3752 3070 armaghcountymuseum.co.uk
F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Eddie Rafferty: The Pursuit of Happiness 17 June - 2 September 2017 Major survey exhibition of Banbridge artist whose themes include rural life, South Africa and boxing.
Margaret Clarke: An Independant Spirit 16 September - 18 November 2017 This exhibition features works by celebrated Newry artist Margaret Clarke. F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sundays 1pm to 5pm (June to August only) 4062 3322 femcwilliam.com Free admission to all exhibitions
DIRECTORY OF
COUNCIL FACILITIES A Animal Welfare Arts & Culture B
Bin Collections Birth Registration Building Control Bulky Waste
C Car Parks (Off-street) Cemeteries Civil Partnerships Community Development Community Planning Community Services Consumer Safety Countryside Access D Dangerous Structures Death Registration Dog Warden Service E Economic Development Environmental Health Environmental Services Events F Fly Tipping Food Safety G Genealogy Good Relations Graffiti Removal Grounds Maintenance H Health & Recreation Home Safety L Licensing M Museums N Noise Control P Parks Planning Service Policing & Community Safety Partnership Pollution Control Postal Numbering Public Health & Housing Public Toilets R Recycling Refuse Collection Regeneration S Sports Development Street Cleaning Street Naming T Tobacco Control Tourism Town Centres W Waste Management Weddings Workplace Health & Safety
Central telephone number
0300 0300 900
Main council offices Armagh The Palace Demesne, Armagh BT60 4EL Banbridge Civic Building, Downshire Road, Banbridge BT32 3JY Craigavon Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre, Lakeview Road Craigavon BT64 1AL
3752 9600 4066 0600 3831 2400
Arts and cultural facilities Armagh County Museum Armagh Visitor Information Centre Banbridge Visitor Information Centre BrontĂŤ Interpretive Centre, Rathfriland F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, Banbridge Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh Scarva Visitor Centre The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre, Keady
3752 3070 3752 1800 4062 0232 4062 3322 4062 3322 3752 9644 3883 2163 3752 1820 3752 1810
Leisure and recreation centres Ardmore Recreation Centre Banbridge Leisure Centre Cascades Leisure Complex, Portadown Cathedral Road Recreation Centre, Armagh Craigavon Golf Ski Centre Craigavon Leisure Centre Craigavon Watersports Centre Dromore Community Centre Gilford Community Centre Keady Recreation Centre Kinnego Bushcraft Centre, Craigavon Kinnego Marina, Craigavon Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Craigavon Loughgall Country Park Lurgan Park Orchard Leisure Centre, Armagh Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, Craigavon People’s Park, Portadown Rathfriland Community Centre Richhill Recreation Centre Tandragee Recreation Centre Tannaghmore Gardens & Animal Farm Waves Leisure Complex, Lurgan
3751 8384 4062 8800 3833 2802 3751 8338 3832 6606 3834 1333 3834 2669 9269 9070 3883 1708 3753 8388 3834 2040 3832 7573 3832 2205 3889 2900 3832 3795 3751 5920 3832 2205 3831 2597 4063 8188 3887 0718 3884 1110 3834 3244 3832 2906
Recycling centres Banbridge Community Recycling Centre Dromore Community Recycling Centre Fairgreen Recycling Centre, Portadown Keady Recycling Centre Markethill Recycling Centre New Line Recycling Centre, Lurgan Rathfriland Community Recycling Centre Restore, Banbridge Station Road Recycling Centre, Armagh Tandragee Recycling Centre
4066 0604 4066 0604 3835 0629 3753 9131 3755 2762 3834 5249 4066 0604 4066 0656 3751 0245 3884 9932
Town halls Banbridge Old Town Hall Dromore Town Hall Lurgan Town Hall Portadown Town Hall
info@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
4062 0232 9269 9070 3832 2422 3833 5264
armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk BOROUGH LINK SUMMER 2017 27
Recycle all
FOOD WASTE in your
BROWN BIN or CADDY