Halloween Feedback
Partnership work behind Halloween Carnival success
Monday 02 November 2009
Derry City Council has thanked the interagency team and carnival participants who have worked together to make this year’s Banks of the Foyle Carnival such a success.
The Mayor Councillor Paul Fleming said: “Derry City Council, along with its partner agencies, will build upon the strengths of this year’s event. There is a significant interagency team who have diligently planned and delivered an excellent event. The uniqueness of the Hallowe’en Carnival is the public and community participation and the number of locals and visitors who attended to make it such a memorable and positive experience for everyone, measures its success. The Council welcomes all feedback from the public to help it continue to improve the experience of the Hallowe’en Carnival.”
Over 900 participants took part in the Carnival parade and thousands lined the river Foyle for the city’s annual fireworks display. The city was at its busiest over the Hallowe’en weekend with accommodation and many events full to capacity.
The no-alcohol zones have made a positive impact on the carnival creating opportunities for families to enjoy the event.
The inter-agency programme of education with younger people has reduced the level of underage drinking reported at the city centre triage and hospital admissions were down on the past two years. The PSNI were also encouraged by the reduction of on-street drinking and a notable decrease in assaults.
Inspector Jon Burrows said: “We have continued to build on the success of previous years and this is down to strong partnership work right across the community. I am pleased to report that the number of assaults has decreased and our messages regarding alcohol are getting through. Halloween has become a positive news story for this city and we are confident this will continue.”
Oonagh McGillion, Temporary Director of Development, said: “This Halloween carnival grew from the ideas and imagination of people in the city and its unique appeal is the community involvement and support of the event. There is an opportunity to build upon the success, taking onboard learning’s and comments, to help grow the Hallowe’en experience for 2010”.
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