Our First Blog

Talk of the Town

Welcome to a brand new weekly column, dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and views from Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council.

Hugh’s News

latest update on Dungannon’s Flight of the Earls Festival 6 – 9 September

No, it wasn’t a mirage! Some of you may recall seeing several of your favourite politicians walking the streets of Dungannon recently in 17^th century dress when a cross party delegation of local Councillors distributed promotional leaflets on the forthcoming Flight of The Earls Festival. The response from the public was fantastic and the raising a few smiles along the way. Rumour has it that Councillors plan to step back in time on numerous occasions over the next few weeks as they get into the festival spirit throughout of our towns and villages.

Festival preparations are now underway in earnest, with Frances Black confirmed as the headline act at an outdoor concert in Market Square on Saturday 8^th September. Frances’ music has a universal appeal and she is well know for her contribution to the phenomenally successful 1996 album ‘A Woman’s Heart’ which also featured Dolores Keane, Sharon Shannon and Frances’ sister Mary Black. Local celtic masterminds More Power to Your Elbow will take you on a Trip to Tipp and back again as they play their greatest hits live on the evening as well, and for Riverdance fans, a spectacular performance of Irish dancing is not to be missed. Also looking forward to the festival is the newly formed ‘Kilgannon’ – a band of Ulster Scots and Irish traditions from Killybegs and Dungannon who will give a toe tapping performance on the same evening.

If you can’t wait that long to get into the carnival spirit, don’t worry – the famous 2FM roadcaster will broadcast LIVE from Market Square this Friday 17^th August from 12 – 2 FM. Come along and say hello to broadcasting favourite Ruth Scott as she plays the hits of today all over Ireland from right here in Dungannon!

There truly is something for everyone at Northern Ireland’s only Flight of the earls FESTIVAL - from youth concerts, to business events, live theatre and lots to do and see for all the family!

Watch this space over the next few weeks as the festival gets closer and I’ll keep you up to date with all the news as it happens!

Festival Summary

Wednesday 5^th Official Launch at Bank House Hotel – Thursday 6^th Skills Beyond 2007 at South West College Dungannon – Friday 7^th Meet the Buyers At Dungannon Leisure Centre – View From the Hill and Flavour of the Times (step back in time to the 17^th Century on Castle Hill) – Saturday 8^th September Rock the Park at Railway Park with Play the Thief and lots more – Live Music from More Power to Your Elbow and Frances Black plus Riverdance and Kilgannon in Market Square – Magnificent Pageant and Pyrotechnic displays from Castle Hill – Sunday 9^th September Hymns of Harmony on Castle Hill. Contact 8772 0300 ext 1600

Looking Forward to the Festival

Every week in the lead up to the Flight of the Earls festival, we ask a local personality to say which particular element they are looking forward to the most. This week, we ask singer and radio broadcaster Malachi Cush:

“There are so many elements of the festival I’m looking forward to and I think it’s a fantastic effort by the local Council to commemorate this occasion at such a high level. In particular I’m really keen to have a look around Castle Hill which will form such a key focus of the town centre, and the idea of stepping back in time to sample life of the 17^th century should be great fun. I’ve seen Frances Black perform at numerous festivals and she always puts on a great show, so I’m looking forward to the Saturday night concert as well.”

Did You Know?

If everyone lived like we do in Northern Ireland, we would need three planets worth of resources to survive!!! Ecological Footprints calculate the amount of the earth’s resources (water, timber, carbon) that each of us uses and the waste we produce to sustain our lifestyles. To measure your Ecological Footprint, visit www.footprint.wwf.org.uk. If you are a community group who would like to take the Community Eco Challenge – a brand new project promoted by Southern Group Environmental Committee, please contact either Lynn Morrow or Anne Greene on 028 37 515800 (a.greene@sgehc.com or l.morrow@sgehc.com) for further information.

Snippets

COSTA and Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council will host a Fairtrade Coffee Morning on Fri 31^st August at the President Grant Ancestral Homestead for local community groups ~ An Environmental Awareness Day will be held at Ballysaggart Lough on Wednesday 22^nd August where Wetlands Trust, Ulster Wildlife Trust, Peatlands Park, Conservation Volunteers NIand RSPB will take part in promoting the welfare of the lough’s natural habitat. ~ Don’t miss the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Day at Dungannon Leisure Centre on Thursday 27^th September – more details to follow!