Hundreds of bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland tonight. The annual 11th July bonfires are lit in all the 'loyalist' areas of Northern Ireland as a celebration of the victory of the Protestant King William of Orange over the Catholic James in 1690.
In Belfast it’s often used as an excuse by the yob element for a booze-up and quickly becomes a denigration of the other side’s culture rather than a celebration of their own, with the symbolic burning of Tricolours (the flag of the republic of Ireland) evident on many fires.
Apart from all of that, bonfires are an eyesore, a health hazard and an environmental nightmare. Belfast City Council are throwing thousands of pounds (£50k) at this problem in an attempt to make them safer, more 'environmentally friendly' and to turn the whole event into a 'family night out'.
Has it been a wise investment of taxpayers money? Is the intiative working? Judge for yourself:
1 comment:
Your comments are so right, the cost to those through the rate & tax system is criminal, but you're missing out the extra costs such as fire service call out or council clean-up for all the alcopop, lager bottle & fast-food detritus (more commonly known as c**p) that's left by the 'friends' of the community; Family friendly? Well only if you want your children to grow up narrow minded bullies. Why do I have to pay for this?!
I'm non-sectarian & non-partisan, I think both sides are idiots! They need to realise it's 2009 not 1690 or 1916.
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