Holywood Culture Night - already a success!

Buy Local Campaign - part of Holywood Culture Night

This inaugural Holywood Culture Night, Friday 21st September is a wonderful achievement and is already a success in my mind in terms of how it has brought people together who would not have met, has generated such positive energy and been thoroughly enjoyable so far, despite the hard work! I have met more people in the town through being involved in this initiative, and now see the town with new eyes.

It is testament to the vibrant community spirit within the town. It will be a night to celebrate the richness and diversity of Holywood, and we hope it will be a night-time version of May Day, in being a family-friendly, interesting and above all enjoyable evening for everyone, participants and on-lookers alike.

As well as Holywood Culture Night, I have been also involved in another Holywood Shared Town initiative, a Buy Local Campaign. This campaign, working in partnership with Holywood Chamber of Commerce and the Town Centre Manager, aims to encourage more of the community in Holywood to buy and shop local and support the independent, small and often family owned and run busineses in our town. We have a choice as to how and where we spend our money and buying local is a positive way to support our local businesses who are after all our friends and neighbours. This Buy Local Campaign is set to be officially launched on 3rd November, and I would encourage people to both shop and spend locally but also log on and find out more about the initiave on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HolywoodBuyLocalCampaign?ref=hl

I have been struck by the enthusiasm and energy Holywood Culture Night has generated within the town. From businesses, schools, local community organisations and citizens, there is a positive buzz around this event. We in Holywood Shared Town fully expect this to be an annual event in the Holywood Cultural calendar alongside May Day, the Holywood Music Festival and others.

The Green Party strongly supports both Holywood Culture Night and the Buy Local campaign. It is a great example of what a small group of dedicated people can achieve and how a community can positively work together for the benefit of the entire community.