Funding boosts Gathering plans

With plans well advanced for the 2006 Broadisland Gathering in Ballycarry, Co Antrim, the organisers are delighted to have received support from two major funding bodies. 

The Ulster-Scots Agency and the Northern Ireland Events Company have both given the event their stamp of approval, and the support of a third funder, Larne Borough Council, means that this year's event should be better than ever.
 
The Ulster-Scots Agency has now become the lead funder for the event, being held principally on September 2, but with other events before and after.
 
The organisers have expressed their appreciation to all funding bodies, and press officer Valerie Beattie said the support would help provide an exceptional event.
 
"We are working hard at adding to the success of last year and everyone can look forward to a day of varied entertainment," she said.
 
The Ballycarry Community Association is also hoping to have a Scottish pipe band attend the event. Livingston Pipe Band from South Queensferry, Edinburgh, are hoping to make the journey across the North Channel for the Gathering. The band heard about the event from one of its members, Hugh Laverty, and now he and 17 other members are set for the Co Antrim event.
 
"We had the honour of hosting the Regimental Pipe Band of the Black Watch some years ago, but they were stationed in the province at the time, so this is the first time that a band has travelled directly from Scotland to be with us," said Mrs. Beattie.

"We are really hoping that this plan works out as it will help to highlight the strong connection between ourselves and Scotland," she added.

For the band, stepping out in Ballycarry will be the latest chapter in their 16-year history. Livingston Pipe band was formed in 1990 from the demise of the Livingston Boys Brigade band, who decided to close down at that time.
 
"We practice in a local hall in Deans Livingston and our membership is taken from the Lothians area of Scotland with the majority of them coming from the Livingston area itself, and with an age range of four years old to a sprightly 82-year-old," said Hugh Laverty. 

"The band itself is a non-competing band, mainly covering local gala days, Nursing homes and school fetes, although we also get invites to play in Europe, the most recent was to play at a Remembrance Day parade in Belgium," he explained.
 
Meanwhile, another first has been the design of artwork to promote the Gathering.  The colourful design is based on the areaUs unique townland banners, its link with weaver poet James Orr, and the artwork also features the crests of the Edmonstone and Brice families.
 
"We wanted to have the history of the event included with a bright image and the designer has done just that, adding children's balloons to highlight that the Gathering is a family festival with fun for all," said chairman Dr. David Hume.