Sign of the times at Maydown

Cllr Sandra Duffy, Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, has unveiled a beautiful new welcome sign at the entrance of Maydown on the outskirts of the city.

Speaking to Derry Now, Martin McCartney, chairperson of Maydown Community Association said the sign enhanced the whole area.

Martin added: “It will brighten the area and give people a sense of pride in Maydown. The new sign looks well and, hopefully, people passing by will see it and say, ‘That’s lovely.’

“Last year, Paul Hughes of Enagh Youth Forum and myself, approached Ascot Signs in Maydown about the possibility of doing an entrance sign for Strathfoyle and Maydown. Well, between planning permission and one thing and another, it has taken till now to get the Maydown sign in place.

“Ascot did the design up. We then took it around all of the Maydown residents to let them pick the one they wanted. We then went back to Ascot and we eventually got the erection done two weeks ago but we couldn’t unveil it due to the snow. It was unveiled on Monday.

“In between times, we approached Roisin Cooke from Foyle Port and applied for funding to do a bit of planting around the sign. I must say thanks to Foyle Port for agreeing. Cyril  Quinn of Spring Growth Garden Centre designed the wee garden and put it in place for us.

“We had local councillors here at the unveiling, as well as representatives from Ascot and Foyle Port. We would also like to thank Cormac in the planning department of Derry City and Strabane District Council for his help.

“The new sign has really set off the entrance to Maydown and makes it very welcoming,” said Martin.