Whatever may be said about the Ardglass Festival, this year certainly saw some unexpected drama with a water quality row, rain interfering with Saturday’s programme and even complaints that there had been heavy handed policing during the festival Saturday evening.
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 Sweet tooths in Ardglass Festival: Connor Addis, Jamie McDarby and Dylan Addis [/caption]
Overall the festival provided excellent entertainment for the village and it is a credit to the small band of dedicated v0lunteers led by Collette Murray and Gerry Casey. Collette said: “I’m delighted that once again we have managed to stage another festival. It is very much enjoyed by children and parents and we always try and keep this as a family fun festival but its worth it in the end to see so many smiling faces. It is hard work getting it all together.”
There were the usual events such as the Coney Island sand castle competition and the cycle and fun runs, but it was the sudden cancelation of the much awaited swimming event in the harbour that raised a few eyebrows. Gerry Casey has voiced concerns about the quality of water in the harbour and the decision was subsequently taken to pull the event.
CHECK THE LINK TO PHOTOS OF ARDGLASS FESTIVAL
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Joel Wills wins the swimming race in Ardglass Harbour.[/caption]
Gerry Casey said: “We were forced to take the initial step to cancel due to concerns about water quality. It was a difficult decision. We did not want anyone getting sick on account of a swim in the harbour. However, the decision was later taken through public demand to run the event and it was well supported by participants and onlookers.”
A media furore ensued the initial decision to cancel teh swimming event which caused much embarrassemnt to the veteran festival worker of thirty years, Gerry Casey, and festival offficials. But, common sense prevailed and the event did in fact run after all and a great time was had by everyone with Joel Wills winning the race across the inner Saw Pit dock comfortably.
On Saturday heavy rain led to a cancellation of events but the water sports activities were salvaged with the raft race going ahead and the Silver Rocket once again winning this year.
But on Saturday evening, police and Council enforcement officers on their rounds were concerned at participants in a skittles charity testimonial match carrying drinks to a premises next door to a licensed premises and this led to a minor tension, and some accusation of over-policing were made by locals. However, a police spokesperson explained to Down News that the same number of police had in fact been deployed to Ardglass Festival as in the previous year.
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The raft race gets under way in Ardglass harbour.[/caption]
And on Sunday evening, the Ardglass Community Centre was packed as the Dance Den went through their routines showing off their fabulous moves in a memorial event for Bernie Finnegan, who was deeply involved in the youth club, who died suddenly two years ago.
But the effect of the water quality row has been far reaching. There has been widespread support for festival organiser Gerry Casey, and so much so, that a number of people have pledged their help to support the festival committee next year and make the festival bigger and better. Many people remember the peak days of the Ardglass Festival in from the 60’s to the 90’s. It holds a special place in the hearts of the Ardglass people and the torch has now been lit for Ardflass Festival 2015.
Down News contacted the DOE and inquired about the water quality in Ardglass harbout to establish the facts, and a spokesperson for the DRD explained that “the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority, who manage Ardglass Harbour, has a licence from the DOE Marine Division to dispose of dredged material from the harbour at a licensed disposal site off St John’s Point. NIFHA was awarded a new three year licence in September 2013 for a total of 9900 metric tonnes.
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Down District Council Chairman Cllr Billy Walker with Cllr Terry Andrews and prize winners at Ardglass Festival.[/caption]
“The DOE Marine Division has licensed the disposal of dredged material from Ardglass Harbour under the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act. Dredged material may only be disposed of if it is clean enough.
“NIFHA has a responsibility to ensure adequate navigable depth within the harbour. NIFHA carries out maintenance dredging to ensure vessels may move safely around the Harbour. NIFHA does not require a licence to do maintenance dredging within the Harbour limits. Also, NIFHA has advised that the recent dredging campaign, which lasted 3-4 weeks finished at the end of June.
“Neither NIEA or Marine Division carried out water monitoring as part of this licence. However, sediments were sampled and analysed before the licence was granted to ensure that the sediments were clean enough for sea disposal.”
The spokesperson added that anyone observing a water pollution incident should contact the NIEA on the 24-hour Emergency Pollution Hotline at 0800807060.
Anyone interested in organising an event or helping out in 2015 can contact Gerry Casey or Collette Murray.
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