Two more projects aimed at commemorating the centenary of the Battle of the Somme have been awarded funding.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council approved the spending at its monthly meeting last night (Monday).
The Ancre Somme Association, which was founded in 2009, will receive £14,500 to produce an educational resource for local schools.
And the Dollingstown Ulster-Scots Cultural and Heritage Society will also receive funding to put in place a ‘Roll of Honour’ and a sculpture of the Unknown Soldier in the vicinity of the village War Memorial.
It is said that no other village, town or city saw so many volunteers, per head of population, enlist for the Great War, with 90 soldiers – from a village of 100 homes – going off to battle. Twenty of them never came home, some casualties at the Battle of the Somme.
Last night the DUP proposed both projects be approved and received the backing of the other Unionist councillors.
It follows the approval at the end of April of a programme of commemorative events and pieces – including 15 specially crafted seats – at a total cost of just over £80,000.
The Ancre Somme Association plans to produce an educational film of this year’s pilgrimage to the Somme, which will chart the stories of members as they follow in the footsteps of their own relatives who fought and died during World War One.
According to the Association, it will then be used as “an educational tool that will help educate our children and young people regarding the Battle of the Somme and help ensure that the sacrifice made by their forefathers is never forgotten”.
Local DUP Councillor and MLA Carla Lockhart welcomed the approval for these additional projects and praised both organisations for their commitment and work which they have done in helping to preserve the history and sacrifice of the First World War and the Somme.
“I am delighted that the DUP group were able to vote on bloc with others to ensure future generations are educated about the sacrifice paid and the brutality of war,” she said.
Read more news:
Exciting plans submitted for new community ‘hub’ in Markethill
Traumatic attacks on parking attendants happening on an alarming scale in Armagh
Eye-watering amount spent on city’s link roads – and not an inch of tarmac laid!
Harrowing accounts given as Kingsmills Massacre inquest gets underway 40 years on
Cars at county Armagh dealership destroyed in arson attack
Watch: Co Armagh man’s amazing fiddle cover of Italia ’90 anthem ‘Put ’em under pressure’
Look inside the £800 a month Gosford Castle apartment
Planners approve new pizza restaurant and takeaway in Armagh in record time!
