WW1 grants ‘legacy’ debate

Ballymoney Borough Council has chosen nine local groups out of 14 to submit a stage II application for funding as part of the World War One Centenary Legacy Programme.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th May 2014, 10:14 BST
Riada HouseRiada House
Riada House

During a recent Full Council meeting, the Head of Corporate and Development Services, Elizabeth Johnston outlined that a five of the applications ‘did not meet the criteria agreed by members during a previous meeting’,

She explained: ‘Projects must be related specifically to WW1 and its centenary and must have some form of legacy, long term visible output(s) that lasts beyond the commemorative period (2014)’.

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The Development Committee Report explained: ‘14 applications were received in response to the open call for expressions of interest for assistance under the above programme. Funding through the legacy programme must relate specifically to WW1 and its centenary, with some form of legacy beyond 2014. The maximum financial award under the scheme is £1,500 and there would only be one call for applications, with projects requiring to be completed by 31st December 2014. The maximum grant for any project is £1,500 and the total fund is £15,000.

However at the meeting, Cllr Evelyne Robinson questioned the criteria asking ‘what constitutes as a ‘legacy’? Is it something you can touch? Legacy is also in the mind and our culture and these aren’t tangible. The criteria seems a bit foggy to me’.

In response to Cllr Robinson’s questions, Ms Johnston explained that at a previous meeting the criteria was decided by councillors explaining: “Members felt it should be able to see the output rather than the outcome. I have only been assessing the applications with the information put forward and agreed by Council.”

Cllr John Finlay asked if the unsuccessful applicants could ‘change their application making it into a legacy?’ However Ms Johnston explained that it was a ‘two stage process’ adding ‘if you change the rules now then others may have applied’.

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Concluding Cllr Robinson said: “I accept that Council agreed this in Committee so I’m happy but I do not accept that something is a legacy because you can touch it. Our culture is a legacy.”

More online!

The applications were: 1 Ballymoney & District Cultural Heritage Society - statue, 2 Kingdom of Dalriada Ulster-Scots Society - War stories DVD, 3 Rasharkin Community Association - Research WW1, 4 Ballymaconnolly Renewal Association - Inform, educate and enlighten, 5 Ullans Speakers Association - Commission 2 period world war dramas, 6 Dervock & District Community Association - WW1 newspaper/magazine, 7 Ballymoney RBL - Permanent display artefacts, 8 Friends of the 36th North Antrim - Memorial benches, 9 Apprentice Boys of Derry Campsie Club Rasharkin - Talks, workshops, trips, 10 Dunaghy Flute Band - Commemorative plaque, 11 Ballymoney Evergreen Club - Education programme, 12 Glebeside Women’s Club - Trip to Somme, 13 Topp Star of the North LOL 904 - Roll of remembrance, 14 Ballymoney District 16 - Roll of remembrance.

Those applications meeting the essential criteria and invited to submit a stage II application are 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13.14.