Loughgall and District Improvement Association look set to host a commemorative centenary event in Loughgall Country Park following approval from an Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council committee.
The request by the association to hold the event in the country park was brought before a meeting of the Council’s leisure and community services on Monday, November 8.
A report presented to committee members ahead of the meeting advised members Council officers had received a request from Loughgall and District Improvement Association (LADIA) to host a commemorative centenary event in Loughgall Country Park on Saturday, December 5 from 12 noon until 5pm.
The 1920s themed event will include a barbecue, a variety of stands including memorabilia from the 1920s, live music, period games and stall holders selling items such as Christmas gifts, Loughgall honey and bee wax.
A Council bye law for pleasure gardens states that people shall not, without the consent of Council, sell, or offer or expose for sale, or let to hire, or offer or expose for letting to hire any commodity or article.
The report also advises the event will not impact on existing activities or walking trails within the county park and all health and safety requirements and insurance documentation will be approved prior to the event.
Councillor Darryn Causby proposed the committee recommends permission is granted for the event though queried some of the technical aspects of Council setting aside bye laws.
“The group take a great interest in the park and use it occasionally for events and I am happy that we go ahead and grant permission,” he said.
“Separate to that I know a number of bye laws have been highlighted, this is a wider issue but if we are setting them aside for a particular reason or occasion, are we setting aside all of them or just the ones listed?
“If we set them all aside there would be no guidelines for the usage of the park, there are quite substantial lists of bye laws and I am just not clear on that.”
Council’s head of leisure and community services, Jonathan Hayes explained that the local authority would not be setting aside all bye laws, just that particular bye law to allow for the stalls to sell goods.
“It is setting aside that particular bye law, not all the bye laws, just the bye law that would potentially pertain to that particular event and all other bye laws would remain in place,” he said.
Councillor Julie Flaherty said she was happy to second the proposal.
“It is a great wee group, they have a great heart for the park and use it a lot,” said Cllr Flaherty.
“It is very fitting and suitable for their event so I am more than happy to second this proposal.”
With the recommendation in place, the final seal of approval will be granted at Council’s monthly meeting at the end of the month.
