The beacon was one of five schemes initially turned down for festival funding by the Council, but last week they decided to give those five groups 75% because the lead in time for applications had been so short this year.

Now, however, Stoneyford's Jubilee Committee has decided to reject the money describing it as "crumbs of their (the Council's) table".
The chairman of the Committee, Mark Harbinson, said that after extensive talks the committee had agreed that the money being offered is inadequate and a bonfire will be lit instead.

He said: "Firstly, last week we were offered 75% of what we originally would have received if we had been successful at the start. Then we were told we would only be given 50% of that figure up front and the rest would follow. We are not happy with this and are now refusing to accept any funding at all."

He continued: "We needed all the money to pay for fireworks and other events arranged to co-incide with the beacon. With only 50% of the money being offered to us at this stage, it means we can't afford to go ahead with the community festival."

He went on: "The bonfire was closed but now it is being reopened. We are the forgotten community in Lagan Valley and we will not go with a begging bowl again.
"It is too little too late and there is a general feeling of disappointment in Stoneyford."

Alderman Cecil Calvert expressed his disappointment at the decision of the Jubilee Committee to reject funding for 11th Night Celebrations.

He said: "I had campaigned hard to secure a 100% grant for the celebrations. Sadly this failed to attract support from other councillors – including the DUP and Ulster Unionists. However, I nonetheless regret the decision of Stoneyford Committee to decline the 75% grant offered by the council.

"There is a strong feeling on the ground that the Council's offer was simply too little too late due to the fact that celebration plans were already at an advanced stage following the initial decision of the Council to refuse the 11th Night Celebrations any funding."

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council's Environmental Services Committee, said it was regrettable that any of the groups concerned may choose not to take up the pilot Community Festival Funding.

He said: "The idea that there was a problem with the council only providing 50% of the funding up front is surprising as before this initiative no money was paid upfront and this has only now been put in place to actually assist and help the groups.

"All the groups concerned have until this Friday (July 4) to accept the funding and it is regrettable if any group feels it can't accept the money as many of the other groups are looking forward to the festivals they will be running."