Derry Council secures locations for calendar of events

Derry and Strabane Council has secured locations for its Festival and Events programme for the year.

The council approved entering into licences with the relevant landowners at the Business and Culture Committee on 12 March.

Events include St Patrick's Day, City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, North West Angling Fair, Strabane Lifford Half Marathon, Waterside Half Marathon, Summer Jamm Strabane, Foyle Maritime Festival (Bi-Annual), Halloween and Christmas Lights.

The locations used for these events are owned by both statutory and private landowners. The festival and events programme relies on Council entering into temporary agreements or easements with landowners to put on the events.

Alderman Derek Hussey asked if there had been issues with any of the arrangements.

“I happened to bump into the Licensing Officer of another organisation today, are there difficulties with some of the locations that are being licensed?” The UUP Alderman asked.

A Council Officer said no issues had presented themselves yet.

“Not that I'm aware of, but it's early days,” she said. “This arrangement tends to deal with some smaller, specific pieces of land and they're just for the duration of the event.

“I mean I'm happy to pick up with Alderman Hussey if there's something specific you want us to look at. There's nothing that I'm aware of that's causing significant concern.”

Alderman Hussey said the person he spoke to 'expressed concern on a particular issue'.

Councillor Rory Farrell said the council could not provide its events calendar without the help of the landowners.

“We've got a fantastic calendar of events right across the city and district. What this paper proves is that we can't do these ourselves. We need the support of partners right across the city and district, specifically land owners to make these successful.”