Issue 208 - North Down BT18 •BT19 • BT20 • BT21
Ward Park Plans in motion this Spring!
Ards and North Down Borough Council is undertaking two substantial projects in Ward Park; a large, modern play park near the tennis courts and car park, and a new Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden beside the library.
Back row (L-R): Claire Edgar (Solicitor specialising in Family Law), Sheila Simons (former Social Worker from Safeguarding Division), Claire McCollum (BBC presenter and event facilitator), Emalyn Turkington (CEO of North Down & Ards Women’s Aid). Front row (L-R): Gillian Robinson (local representative), Mayor Alistair Cathcart and Lindsay Fisher (Head of PSNI’s Public Protection Branch). Image: Ian Pedlow
Change Fund Launched to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls Following the Northern Ireland Executive’s launch of a strategic framework for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), Ards and North Down Borough Council launched the Change Fund during a recent EVAWG panel discussion that was held at Clandeboye Lodge. The NI Executive’s framework outlines a seven-year strategy to address the entire range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender
inequality. As part of this framework, Ards and North Down Borough Council, together with other councils across Northern Ireland, is delivering the Change Fund - a grants programme for community and voluntary
organisations. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said: “The EVAWG panel discussion provided the ideal opportunity to launch the Change Fund in Ards and North Down. Over 100 people attended
the event, including councillors, statutory representatives, plus a range of community and voluntary organisations and interested individuals.
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The Council has secured £231,000 in funding from the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver the new, improved play park and Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden, with additional funding coming from Council’s existing Play Park Refurbishment budget. Work has already started on the new play park with both projects to be delivered by the end of March this year. Ward Park is also set to benefit from a £5.5 million Environmental Improvement Scheme due to commence this Autumn. A public information session was held in April 2024, and residents are kept regularly updated on the scheme through the Ward Park Residents Association and
the Council’s Engagement platform (https://ardsnorthdown.govocal.com). As part of these environmental improvement works, the ponds have already been desilted. The remaining work to improve paths and bridges, upgrade lighting and furniture, strengthen pond walls, and replace animal enclosures is planned to begin in Autumn, after the Summer 2025 events programme has ended. The new play park and Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden projects are outside the scope of the Environmental Improvement Scheme, but both are welcome additions to this cherished green sanctuary in the heart of Bangor, enjoyed by the entire community. For more information, visit www. ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/ wardpark