News

£500 Coronation grants now available from Council

Tuesday 14 March 2023

Community groups across Mid and East Antrim can now apply for up to £500 towards local events to celebrate the Coronation.

A special grant scheme has been opened by the Council to mark the historic event.

The event must take place during the Coronation weekend, which is Friday 5 May – Monday 8 May 2023.

The closing date for applications for this category is Friday 31 March 2023 at 4pm (subject to the availability of budget).   

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort takes place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May 2023.

Chair of Council’s Coronation Working Group, Councillor Cheryl Brownlee, said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of our Coronation grant fund.

“This special fund invites groups across our community to apply for financial assistance for events they are planning to celebrate what promises to be a momentous occasion.

“I would encourage all those who are keen to take part to avail of the opportunity as soon as possible, and I look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition in the weeks ahead.”

Guidance notes can be downloaded from the main grants funding page.

Applications should be submitted online.

Further information on the grant process is available by contacting the Grants Office on 028 2563 3198 or 028 2563 3530, or emailing grants@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Please note that applying for a grant is a competitive process and awards are subject to the availability of funds. A list of all Council-funded Coronation events will be compiled on Council’s website, and event organisers are asked to tag Council in social media posts so that details of their activities can be promoted and shared.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, as part of its duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, is committed to equal opportunities and good relations and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. All awards will be based strictly on the merit principle.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting a wide range of family friendly events and initiatives to celebrate the Coronation - ranging from big-screen broadcasts to community grants and activities for local schoolkids.

The programme is led up by Council’s Coronation Working Group, which includes Cllr Brownlee, Cllr Keith Turner, Cllr Matthew Armstrong, Cllr William McCaughey, Cllr Gregg McKeen and Cllr Lauren Gray.

Other activities planned include the lighting up of key buildings in the area, the planting of Coronation-themed floral displays, the rollout of commemorative coins and special colouring books, tree-planting, jewellery-making workshops, certificates for newborns, exhibitions and talks.

Members of the public are also invited to take part in The Big Help Out on the Bank Holiday Monday, which will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas.

Further details can be found on our Coronation page.