Clandeboye Village Community Association cancelled its May Day Family Festival scheduled for May 25. The group cited insufficient funding from Ards and North Down Council as the reason.

Aaron McMahon, chairman of the association, stated the council offered only a fraction of the requested amount. The group applied in March for £4,000 from the council's Community Festival budget to cover costs including bouncy castles, pony rides, a birds of prey show and free lunches.

Council correspondence provided £2,400, with £1,600 secured directly and the balance pending allocation from the Department for Communities. No timeline for the remaining funds was given before the event date.

McMahon noted that event planning requires extensive advance work and budgeting. He described the festival as an affordable outing for families facing cost of living pressures, allowing them to create memories without financial worry.

Louise Spence, manager of North Down Community Network, said such events provide uplift where buying food out is not viable for many. She added that the festival aimed to unite generations and counter antisocial behaviour by fostering community ties.

McMahon pointed to uneven funding distribution, where five groups in Portaferry secured grants from the same budget while Clandeboye received less despite serving over 500 people. He argued council funding does not match rates collected per household.

Spence noted that forming separate organisations to chase funds would create extra administrative burdens for volunteers. McMahon said Clandeboye residents deserve better treatment from councillors.