Coalisland halloween extravaganza a howling success
COMMUNITY leaders, politicians and the local police chief have united to praise Coalisland for pulling off one of the most successful and peaceful Halloween celebrations ever seen in the town.
Hundreds of young people and their families turned out for the three-day event which culminated in a spectacular firework display on Wednesday night.
Children, teenagers, young families and older residents got into the spirit of the events which were organised by Coalisland Residents Steering Group, Ogras and Dungannon Council.
“Halloween in Coalisland was a very successful family orientated day with numerous activities in the days leading up to and including Halloween”, said a spokesperson for Coalisland Residents Steering Group.
“The success of this event is attributed to the hard work of Oliver Donnelly, the council’s Neighbourhood Renewal Co-ordinator and his colleague Oliver Morgan, the Good Relations Officer.
“We would like to acknowledge Dungannon Council for taking the lead in the event and for their funding that allowed everyone to participate in all the free activities, that may not have been possible in such financially constrained times.
“We would also like to recognise the young people of Coalisland along with their families for participating in a very successful event.”
The events included Ogras youth members baking 50 apple tarts under the guidance of Leo Quinn, Collette O’Neill and Lisa McGurk, which were delivered to older residents living in the area, as well as a soccer tournament in which ‘the City’ came out victorious against ‘Blue Army’ to lift the trophy presented by Dungannon mayor Phelim Gildernew.
A Spooky Trail took place on Tuesday night at the Ogras building, with spectators queuing up to the small hours of the night.
There was also a free family fun day with bouncy castles, climbing wall and a mini-Olympics.
Sinn Fein MLA congratulated those who organised the event and the participants.
“It was a very well-behaved and much enjoyed series of events”, he said.
“As Chair of Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal I’d like to thank everyone on the success of the whole week, and the wonderful community activities and entertainment provided, and in particular Ogras and Oliver Donnelly from Dungannon Council.
“The resident’s group was also key to the success. It was a watershed moment for the Coalisland area, and demonstrates what can be achieved through collaborative working between all agencies.
“Through the co-ordinated approach young people were instrumental in leading events in the weeks leading up to and Halloween itself.”
Chief Inspector Keith Jamieson also praised the organisers of the event.
“Police deployed significant resources to the town in response to demands made by the local community”, he added.
“We are pleased that the residents of Coalisland were able to enjoy a Halloween largely free from the anti-social behaviour that has blighted previous years.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Dungannon
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
