Grand Unionist Centenary Committee
25th February 2010
Dr Ian Adamson OBE (Chair)
Representatives in attendance: Jim Brownlee ABOD, Christopher Stalford DUP, Dawson Baillie GOLI, Stephen Gough (Secretary) 36thUlster Division Memorial Association, David Campbell UUP,David Hagan 36thUlster Division Bands Association.
Guest – Nelson McCausland, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure
Apologies from: – TUV, PUP, UlsterBands Association
It was agreed that Stephen Gough would act as Secretary and that David Campbell would be Treasurer.
Ian Adamson (Chair) welcomed the Minister and explained the position to date including the events we would commemorate/celebrate.
Dawson Baillie advised the meeting that he had reported back to the Grand Master who will provide the details behind the parade.
Leadership of the ABOD stated that they were behind the proposed dates. They suggested that we stake a claim to those dates now just in case anyone else had plans on them.
The DUP have approached the Ulster Hall re free dates for the Ulster Hall from the 5th – 28th September 2012.
The Secretary advised that he had been approached by people in Liverpool who wanted to take part in some of the events and in particular they wanted to celebrate the arrival of Sir Edward Carson in Liverpoolon the 29th September where he addressed a rally of over 100,000. This was agreed and there was discussion aboutGlasgow andEdinburgh could take part as well.
The Secretary advised that he had been in touch with a friend who worked in theUlsterMuseumwho had approached the Curator of the museum and it has been agreed to make a list of artefacts.
The UUP suggested that we should put together a publication which covers all events. It was also suggested that a publication could be produced for each event to raise funds. The profits from these publications and other events could go towards leaving future generations a lasting legacy of Craigavon House. If as a group we did this then perhaps theSommecentre would not put Craigavon House on the open market as it is hugely important in our history.
The DUP stated that in their opinion they believed all these events should give our community a major morale boost at a time when it was badly needed. They also wanted a focus on education.
The 36th Ulster Division Bands Association mentioned that it would be good to have a number of people in bowler hats with sashes, men dressed as volunteers, nurses etc on parade in period costume.
The 36th Ulster Division Memorial Association suggested that we draft a new covenant, one that all could support and unite the community. They also suggested that we pick up on what the ABOD had said earlier and go public (staking our claim to the events).
The Minister outline what steps he had taken so far including getting the Heads of the following bodies together to see what they can do for these events;
- Arts Council
- Museums
- Ulster Scots Agency
- Libraries
All bodies offered their suggestions and will come back to the Minister again with an update. Some ideas include;
- Using Libraries for exhibitions/lectures
- Arts Council funding arts in relation to the events
- Museums doing exhibitions
Other potential funders are;
- Heritage Lottery Fund
- Awards for All
- Broadcasting Fund
- Community Festivals Fund
- Local Councils
All in agreement that we needed buy in from all in the community and that a paid worker was required. A document is to be drawn up by the UUP/DUP.
The text for the badge is to be changed.
Next meeting – 31st March at 7.15pm.