PREPARATIONS are underway for Lisburn's 400th anniversary celebrations.

The city's Mayor, Councillor Ronnie Crawford, is establishing a working group to proceed with plans for a year-long celebration of Lisburn's history.

A host of proposals have been put forward to commemorate the momentous occasion, including the publication of an historical booklet, an exhibition at Lisburn Museum, a youth film festival, a musical festival and the commissioning of a drama, relating to the founding of Lisburn.

However, these are just a few of the ideas being considered and a lot of work is planned before the end of the year to ensure the year-long celebration is a great success.

At a meeting of the council's Leisure Services Committee, Alderman Ivan Davis stressed the importance of the anniversary and ensuring everything possible was done to make Lisburn's 400th year a memorable one.

"We need to pull out all the stops because we want this to be a success," said Mr Davis.

Councillor Margaret Tolerton also made the suggestion that the people of Lisburn should be asked for their ideas on how best to celebrate next year.

* Do you have any ideas on how to celebrate Lisburn's 400th anniversary? Would you like a party? Or a concert? Or what about commissioning a piece of public art to mark the occasion? Whatever your idea, the Ulster Star would like to hear from you. Send your 400th anniversary celebration ideas to julieann.spence@jpress.co.uk or write to 400th Anniversary, Ulster Star, 12A Bow Street, Lisburn, BT28 1BN.

julieann.spence@jpress.co.uk

Ulster Star
10/10/2008