Council marks Freedom of the City Anniversary for UDR

April 4, 2016

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council recently held a Tree Planting Ceremony and Civic Reception to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Conferral of the Freedom of Lisburn on the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Elected Members were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson MP, MLAs and representatives from the Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment to mark the occasion by planting a Yew Tree at Lagan Valley Island, a now traditional symbol for more recent recipients of the Freedom of the City Honour.

Speaking at the Anniversary event, The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett said, “The world in so many ways has changed dramatically over the past quarter of a Century and it is important that we continue to remember the sacrifices and dedication of many including the Ulster Defence Regiment, which risked life and limb for a better future in Northern Ireland.

“Lisburn and Castlereagh has a proud long standing association with the Ulster Defence Regiment with both former Councils bestowing the Freedom of their Borough on the men and women who served in the Ulster Defence Regiment as soldiers and greenfinches and I was delighted to see so many represented to mark this important milestone” he concluded.