Latest news with #NorthDown
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Little-Pengelly ‘saddened and disappointed' by cancellation of sport summer camp
Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has expressed her disappointment at the cancellation of a cross-community sports camp. First Minister Michelle O'Neill also reiterated her dismay after the event planned to take place in Comber was called off after local residents had concerns around the inclusion of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association). North Down Cricket Club had planned the sports summer camp for young people from different backgrounds, including the involvement of 10 different groups, one of which was the East Belfast GAA. But a local Orange Order lodge said there were concerns among local residents about the 'perceived move of the GAA into the local community'. In a statement on social media, the North Down Cricket Club said it cancelled the event because it felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost. On Wednesday, Cricket Ireland announced it plans to step in to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont later this month. Speaking during a visit to the Open in Portrush on Thursday, Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly both expressed disappointment at what had happened. Ms Little-Pengelly said 'while there are legitimate questions to be asked of the GAA around their lack of inclusion, this is not the time or place'. 'Sport can be a great unifier,' she told the PA news agency. 'It's been really disappointing, very saddened to see that the club felt that they had to cancel this particular summer camp. 'I've reached out, and I've been speaking to the North Down Cricket Club. 'Of course, there are legitimate questions to be asked of the GAA around their lack of inclusion and the barriers that many feel to participation, but this is not the time or place. The time and place for that is not a children's summer camp. 'Cricket has been a great unifier right across all different types of religions, races, politics, we see that play out every single week, and I think it's really disappointing that these young people won't get that opportunity to play cricket at that summer camp but I'm continuing to work with the club, and with others, to see what the opportunities may be in the future.' Ms O'Neill added: 'I was so deeply disappointed that anyone thought it was appropriate to advocate that these kids should not be invited along. 'For kids to come together through the medium of sport. It's just something that should always be a positive experience. So it makes me really sad to actually hear that someone doesn't want those kids to be invited. 'It's just totally not acceptable. Young people should play sport together, young people from all different backgrounds should always be encouraged to come together.' Ms O'Neill added she was 'quite dismayed by the fact that somebody thought it was appropriate to actually advocate against that'.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Deputy first minister 'deeply saddened' by summer camp cancellation
The deputy first minister has said she is "deeply saddened" that the organisers of a cross-community sports summer camp felt the need to cancel an event after an Orange lodge opposed the involvement of a "small group of children from a GAA club".Emma Little-Pengelly said there was "legitimate discussion to be had" about the GAA's levels of inclusivity - but that this was not "the time or the place".North Down Cricket Club had planned to host the event for young people from varied backgrounds, including some from East Belfast GAA, on lodge said there were concerns about the "perceived move of the GAA into the local community", which it said had come from some local residents. North Down Cricket Club then decided not to go ahead with the original event after it said the "spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost".Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Little-Pengelly said "cricket is a sport that brings people together" and summer camps like the one planned were for "children to get to know each other and work with each other."She said she had spoken to the club, which is based in Comber in County Ireland said on Wednesday it hoped to move the event to Stormont in July. 'Totally unacceptable' - first minister Also speaking to Good Morning Ulster the First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the cancellation was "so disappointing"."I am actually quite dismayed that anyone would think that young people coming together through the medium of sport, just because they come from a GAA background, that that is not appropriate," she said."I just think that is just totally unacceptable by anybody's standards."She added "sport should be something that unifies people, no one should be excluded that they come from a Gaelic background."
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Community cricket event to be rescheduled after complaint over GAA involvement
A plan has been announced to reschedule a cross-community sports event after it was cancelled when an Orange lodge raised concern at the involvement of the GAA. The North's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, was among the political representatives who expressed dismay following the cancellation of the event which had been due to take place in Comber, Co Down, on Friday. Advertisement North Down Cricket Club had planned the sport summer camp for young people from different backgrounds, including the involvement of 10 different groups, one of which was the East Belfast GAA. But a local Orange Order lodge said there were concerns among local residents about the 'perceived move of the GAA into the local community'. Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) July 15, 2025 In a statement on social media, the North Down Cricket Club said it cancelled the event because it felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost. Responding to commentary on social media, the club said it welcomes people from all walks of life. Advertisement It said the camp had been planned to involve 10 different local sports and community groups — including organisations supporting ethnic minority communities — with the aim of building friendships through shared activity. On Wednesday afternoon, Cricket Ireland announced it plans to step in to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont. Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland (CI), said they are calling on all community leaders to show leadership and actively support this initiative. 'Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) are dismayed and disappointed at the events which have led to the cancellation of the youth sports camp at North Down Cricket Club,' he said. Advertisement 'North Down has been at the forefront of youth development in recent times. Participation in multiple sports by young people has been recognised as having considerable benefits both in sporting terms and mental wellbeing. It can only be to the detriment of the children concerned that this cancellation has occurred. 'Cricket is a sport for all and both CI and NCU actively encourage diversity, inclusion and equality in our game. Working with other sports in the sharing of facilities and the creation of opportunities for young people is a key aspect of this strategy.' Mr MacNeice said Cricket Ireland applauded North Down Cricket Club's initiative in planning the sports camp. 'We are committed to following through on the initiative and Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union are making plans to run a similar sports camp at Stormont,' he said. Advertisement 'We have therefore approached East Belfast GAA and offered an opportunity to participate in this alternative sports camp which will also include other sports clubs. 'We look forward to further engagement with the GAA, and other governing bodies, for the benefit of all. 'We call on all community leaders to show leadership and actively support this initiative. Sport can bring communities together and we must all act in partnership to ensure this is the case.' Earlier, Ms O'Neill said: 'Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. Advertisement 'These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. 'Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue moving forward together to build a brighter society and overcome such unacceptable intolerance.' Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said children were losing out. 'It sends a signal to those who have been doing the intimidating that somehow they were right – they are not, they're wrong,' she told the BBC. 'The majority of people from Comber and people I've spoken to are very angry about this minority, and I think that Comber would rather turn around and say, 'no, everyone's welcome here'.' UUP MLA Doug Beattie also expressed disappointment. 'People may have concerns but we need to put this in perspective, this is about children and we should allow children to be children, and if that's playing sport, then playing sport,' he told the BBC. 'If you've got an issue with the GAA, lets raise it with the GAA, lets not focus on kids.'
BBC News
14-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Chewing gum: Tackling a sticky issue in Ards and North Down
Chewing gum splattered streets in Ards and North Down are set for a fresh start as the council tackles one of its stickiest litter problems has received £27,500 in funding for a high-powered street washing machine, thanks to a grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force. The area's mayor, councillor Gillian McCollum, is delighted that the council is one of 52 across the UK to benefit from the clean-up said tourism and visitor footfall was an important part of the area's business economy and that "we want to do everything we can to make the area as attractive as possible". 'Gum comes right off' On the streets of Bangor, County Down, street cleaner and driver team leader Paul Agnew, said he believes the machine will be a real boost to their service."It is much more effective - the sweepers can't lift the gum," he explained. "This new machine heats up to 110C."There are specific chewing gum attachments for it, but we don't even need to use them because there is such high pressure - the gum just comes right off." 'I think it's disgusting' On Bangor's Main Street, residents had mixed feelings about the gum problem, but welcomed the council's Uprichard, 78, believes we should go even further to tackle the issue."It's disgusting, it really is such a bad look," he said."We should do what they do elsewhere which is ban it." Cecilia Adu, 75, believes gum littering in Bangor is not as bad as other cities in the UK."It isn't as rampant here. I lived in England before and it was worse."However, I still think the money is still worth spending," she Bangor resident, Rain Barago-Maurer, 24, said it was a problem she was very aware of, particularly near the marina. "It is definitely something I have noticed in Bangor and it would be a great investment."I don't chew gum myself because I don't like to have litter and then have nowhere to dispose of it," Rain told BBC News NI. "There also needs to be some small bins scattered around the area designated for chewing gum." 'Removing gum a huge problem' According to Keep Britain Tidy, councils across the UK spend, on average, around £7m annually trying to remove Chewing Gum Task Force (CGTF) is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars, Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10m spread over five McCollum said gum could become a "huge problem" if it was not disposed of correctly due to the length of time it takes to decompose."We also know from our street cleaners who work for the borough that removing the gum is a huge problem," she added. 'Reinforcing good behaviour' A report from social enterprise Behaviour Change revealed that in areas treated under the CGTF scheme, gum littering was reduced by as much as 80% within two months, benefits that were still evident six months later thanks to targeted cleaning and prominent there are currently no plans for special signage in Ards and North Down, McCollum believes cleaner streets alone will act as a deterrent. "It has the knock on effect of discouraging people to dispose of gum more responsibly," she said."It is really just reinforcing good behaviour. A clean tidy appearance encourages people to take pride in their area and act responsibly." Established by Whitehall's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the CGTF is run by charity Keep Britain grant will allow Ards and North Down council to roll out the gum removing machine across Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Holywood and Donaghadee.
Belfast Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Waringstown and Instonians locked at summit as duo back up Cup wins with League triumphs
The Shaw's Bridge side again opted to bowl first in their clash with third-placed Lisburn, and once again their bowlers responded to the challenge by restricting them to 186 in an innings that never really got going. Ross Adair (20) and Nigel Jones (26) got starts, but only when Ben Calitz was in full flow did Lisburn get a foothold in the contest. The Irish passport-holding South African hit three sixes and fours in a 42-ball 47, adding 83 for the fourth wicket with skipper Neil Whitworth (36). However, Cian Robertson spun his left-arm magic, claiming four wickets for just 23 to put the home side firmly in control. Shane Dadswell (three for 30) and two wickets for Ben Rose reaffirmed the advantage, and a final total of 186 looked to be well short of challenging. Cade Carmichael had missed out in Saturday's Cup win, but the Irish international cashed in with a brilliant 77-ball 117 that included 15 fours and four maximums to break the back of the chase. His century means that he is the leading run-scorer in the League with 473 runs, just ahead of Jason van der Merwe. Carmichael added 112 with Rob McKinley (24), and that allowed Inst to coast to a six-wicket win in the 28th over – Dadswell bringing the game to a hasty conclusion by thumping three fours and a six in the final four balls. For Lisburn, a 2025 season that promised so much is in danger of falling apart, with their main hope for silverware now resting on the Irish Senior Cup where they travel to play Balbriggan in the last-four. Waringstown kept pace with Instonians thanks to an emphatic seven-wicket win at Cliftonville Academy in a match reduced to 25 overs. Abhishek Raut hit a 32-ball unbeaten 56 as the home side posted what looked a competitive 174 for five – Varun Chopra making a run-a-ball 36 (five fours) and Hayden Melly 27. The Topping brothers, though, made light work of the chase as they shared an opening stand of 125 in just 80 balls. Morgan hit eight fours and six sixes in a 56-ball 87, while younger brother Sam's 36-ball 53 included five fours and three maximums. John Glass claimed two wickets, but the seven-wicket win was sealed in the 19th over. Woodvale and North Down shared a dramatic tie in a see-saw game at Ballygomartin Road – a result that saw both happy to get something from the match in the end. Stevie Saul just missed out on a century, getting two from the final ball of the North Down innings to end on 99 – seven fours, four sixes – adding 127 for the fourth wicket with Mickey Copeland as they made 193 for five in 35 overs. Woodvale looked beaten as they slumped to 78 for six, but Carl Robinson's 51-ball 64 got them right back into contention as he added 104 in 17 overs for the seventh wicket with Zara Khan (49 not out). Some 17 were still needed from the last two overs when last man Anek Anil joined Khan, but they chipped away and the equation came down to three from the final ball. Anil managed to scramble two, ensuring a share of the spoils. North Down finished in the top six for the split, while Woodvale's two points meant they moved off the bottom above Templepatrick. Meanwhile, in the North West, there was a real shock as leaders Donemana lost by 42 runs to bottom side Bready in a rearranged game. David Rankin top-scored with 64 as Bready posted 194 for seven – four wickets for Jordan McGonigle, who came out of retirement to compensate for Andy McBrine's unavailability. Teenager Travis Faulkner took three wickets as the League leaders slumped to 62 for seven, and although they rallied with runs for brothers Billy (38) and DJ Dougherty (28), Faulkner returned to claim his fourth in a victory that lifted Bready off the bottom of the table.
