Third time lucky – Ballymena hopes for ‘city status’
Ballymena could officially become the ‘City of the Seven Towers’ if a third bid for city status is successful, Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told.
The north Antrim town is to be nominated for city status by the borough council in the UK Government’s Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours competition.
As well as city status, an accompanying Lord Mayor title will also be awarded to winners of the national competition which is open to local authorities across the United Kingdom.
Applicants must demonstrate “distinct identity”, civic pride, heritage, history and tradition and association with royalty.
It’s the third time the ‘city of the seven towers’ has been nominated.
In 2002, Ballymena was in the running alongside Carrickfergus, Coleraine and Craigavon before Lisburn and Newry were awarded the civic honour to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
