Write a commentNewry and Armagh MLA, Danny Kennedy, has expressed his concern over photographs of Orange Halls being used in coverage of a story in relation to funding for community halls.
Commenting Mr Kennedy said “Orange Halls provide a vital service to local communities which is exactly why so many are designated as community halls. In addition, there are a wide variety of organisations who are set to benefit from this scheme, which is obviously very welcome. Orange Halls, particularly in my own constituency, provide some much needed support to vulnerable communities who greatly value the opportunity to build community capacity and more simply gain enjoyment from community projects, charity work and a whole host of other beneficial activities.
“The grant scheme was open to all owners of community and church halls, and certainly, it was not simply Orange Halls who benefited. Care must be taken not to further demonise the Orange Order and Orange culture.
“Given the number of attacks that have occurred on Orange Halls over the last number of years, I am concerned that pictures of Halls receiving funding from the Community Halls improvement scheme have been included in recent media coverage. I have some reservations about this for obvious reasons, and would hope that this does not lead to halls being targeted for attack.”
