Issue 201 - North Down BT18 •BT19 • BT20 • BT21
Freedom of Borough to be conferred on Fire & Rescue Service
Ards and North Down Borough Council is set to confer its highest honour - the Freedom of the Borough - on Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS).
World Boxing Champion Carl Frampton has joined the fight against sectarianism and racism with the launch of Good Relations Week 2024 which takes place in September.
Call to seize ‘OpportUNiTY’ in fight against sectarianism and racism
Former world boxing champion Carl Frampton joined the First Minister and deputy First Minister recently to encourage local groups and organisations to get involved in Good Relations Week 2024. Good Relations Week 2024, coordinated by the Community Relations Council, will run from Monday 16th September to Sunday 22nd September 2024 with an anticipated programme of over 200 cross community and multicultural events across the
region. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘OpportUNiTY’ which will showcase the action, enthusiasm, and commitment of local groups and organisations across the Ards and North Down Borough Council
area in their daily efforts to foster positive community relations and promote cultural diversity across the region. The anticipated mix of workshops, theatre productions, exhibitions, debates, and musical performances will aim to
demonstrate the strength of communities in working together to break down barriers and seize opportunities to make a difference by promoting peace and understanding.
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This is in recognition and appreciation of the Service’s unwavering dedication to duty and selfless service; its bravery in the face of danger; for saving lives and for protecting our community with great honour and distinction. The formal ceremony to bestow the Freedom will take place on 14 September 2024 and include a public display of firefighting skills by Firefighters from the local area at Bangor City Hall. NIFRS respond to fires, road traffic collisions and specialist rescue incidents, including flooding, chemical incidents, collapsed buildings and other types of emergencies to make Northern Ireland a safer place. In addition, NIFRS delivers a range of community engagement initiatives and provides advice on how to
stay safe from incidents it responds to. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Aidan Jennings said: “We are honoured to accept the prestigious Freedom of the Borough from Ards and North Down Borough Council. This is a testament to our Fire & Rescue Service and in particular to all of our Firefighters and support employees in the Ards and North Down area who serve the local community. It’s a privilege for us to keep our people safe delivering a service that protects the community. The Council has bestowed the honour only three times since it was formed in 2015 - to staff from Health and Social Care in September 2018, to the Irish Guards in 2022 and to Gary Lightbody, also in 2022.