Street Stalls selling a wide variety of different craft related products

MISSION STATEMENT:

"To promote through self help and common effort, the improvement of the physical environment of Cullybackey and its environs."

WHO ARE WE?

The Association was formed over 7 years ago with the aim of improving the appearance of our village and helping provide facilities of various kinds for local people. Over the years we have worked closely with Ballymena Borough Council and lobbied and negotiated with them for the new village toilets and the small corner park at the end of the Shellinghill Road. The park is now a favourite are to sit and chat particularly on a summer day. Each summer we have provided floral displays at various sites in the village and maintained the hanging baskets.

The Association, with funds from the N. Ireland Voluntary Trust, has been able to rent an office and has appointed a development officer for a 2 year periods. This person will help us access and secure further funding. The Association is keen to strengthen its links with other community groups and the statutory sector to help us achieve our aims and the Council has been particularly supportive. This is a brief overview of our activities. We will aim to highlight special events on our Internet Sites and also in the Press.

FUTURE PLANS FOR THE VILLAGE

GM Design Consultants, using information the Association gained from meetings with a wide range of groups in the village, have identified 5 key areas:

* Environmental Improvements to Maine Bridge and immediate area.
* River Maine riverside walkway.
* Main Street
* Holm Field Development
* Local Initiative Centre

The total cost is approx. £3m. This will entail significant support from statutory bodies, the private sector and also from us in the village. While all the 5 schemes are linked, priority is being given to acquiring land south of the Maine Bridge to provide a terraced, lighted landscaped area and the first part of a riverside pathway which hopefully will later extend downstream to Galgorm Manor. The area between the bridge and the rear of the old Maine Works will have seats, picnic tables and be lit at night. This work should commence this year. The Association has been awarded £36,000 from the Peace and Reconciliation Partnership towards this project and is discussing with Ballymena Borough Council, DOE and others ways in which further funds could be accessed.


FUND RAISING

To develop the riverside pathway, improve the festive lighting and plant fresh bulbs all takes money. Last year we had number of very successful and well supported fund raising events. These included the May street festival, barn dance and BBQ and a traditional Irish night at Arthur Cottage. Remember that while we have been fortunate in obtaining some grant aid, it is often linked with us having to raise funds locally.