Trouble in Killyleagh sparks meeting

Trouble in Killyleagh sparks meeting

18 September 2013

A PUBLIC meeting is being held in Killyleagh next week to discuss the formation of a new community group in the town.

The meeting, which is being held in the Bridge Community Centre next Thursday evening at 7pm, will also discuss recent incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Willie Clarke, the chairman of the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership, will chair the meeting which people across the town are being invited to attend.

Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews say it’s vitally important Killyleagh has a group to represent the interests of the community.

Over the past few months there have been a number of unsavoury incidents in the town, with vandals smashing a number of windows at Killyleagh Primary School.

Several car windows were smashed in Shrigley with graffiti daubed on walls in the village, while an attempt was made to set fire to a Down Council-owned toilet block at the top of High Street in Killyleagh.

Councillor Walker recently suggested that extending the opening hours of the Bridge Community Centre at the weekend could help combat the problems of anti-social behaviour and provide a place for young people to go. He believes the forthcoming public meeting can explore what else can be done to provide other outlets for young people.

‘’An important starting point in addressing the problems in Killyleagh is reforming the town’s community association. Not only would this provide a voice for local people, but the organisation could tap into available funding to help finance a range of initiatives,” said Councillor Walker.

“Several years ago, a public meeting in Crossgar led to the formation of a new community group and village youth club, both of which have enjoyed major success.”

Councillor Walker said he hopes something similar can happen in Killyleagh and hopes young people will attend next week’s public meeting to help form a new organisation which has the interests of the town at heart.

Councillor Andrews said reforming Killyleagh’s community association is vital as it can help spearhead new community-based projects for the benefit of everyone in the town.

He added: “The people of Crossgar have demonstrated what can be achieved with hard work and determination. I know these attributes are alive and well in Killyleagh’s residents and hope they are prepared to help drive their town forward.”