ANOTHER meeting is to be held between representatives of the Newtownbutler Residents Committee in Co Fermanagh and the local Black and Orange Lodges following Monday night's talks, writes Carmel Robinson a Belfast.
The two sides met under the chairmanship of the Rev Roy Magee, a member of the North's Parades Commission. Three independent observers from the town attended the meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Parades Commission, the meeting "focused on a number of issues such as how the events of 1996 had led to strong feelings in the hitherto peaceful town.
Those present agreed on the main points to be discussed at the next meeting and were unanimous that they would work to avoid a repeat of last year".
Meanwhile, a week-long community festival has been organised for Belfast's Springfield Road by the Cornerstone Community to reduce tension between the two communities. It will begin next Monday and will be held in a variety of different venues to enable both communities to host as well as participate in the festival.
In a statement, the group said: "In order to cope with the rising tensions of the summer and the current political tension, Cornerstone Community, along with help from other local community organisations, have organised this festival aimed at bringing the two communities in the Springfield area together."
"We believe that much of the local tension can be diffused through celebrating together the diversity that is present not only on the Springfield Road but also in Belfast and indeed in all of Northern Ireland."