Blair Mayne Bursary Award Scheme

Ards and North Down Borough Council is seeking to appoint External Contributors to serve on the Blair Mayne Bursary Sub-Committee

In 1996, legacy Ards Borough Council sought public subscriptions to erect a statue of Lt Col. Blair Mayne in Conway Square, Newtownards, to honour his outstanding bravery and achievements during the Second World War and his remarkable life. The statue was erected in 1997 and surplus funds raised were used to establish the Blair Mayne Bursary. Bursaries have been awarded to young people ever since. The last awards were distributed in March 2023, prior to the Council local elections.


Ards and North Down Borough Council will continue to award the Blair Mayne Bursary, for the next Council term, for the benefit of young people under 25 years of age from across the wider Borough who aspire to excellence in the categories of academic study; sport or adventure training. This will be done through a Blair Mayne Bursary Sub-Committee which is comprised of four elected members and three external contributors.

The Council now wishes to appoint three external contributors to serve on the Blair Mayne Bursary Sub-Committee for a 4-year period (until June 2028). The purpose of the Blair Mayne Bursary Sub-Committee is to:
• manage the Blair Mayne Bursary fund.
• invite applications for the Bursary from eligible candidates.
• act as a selection panel to award the bursaries on an annual basis.

Eligibility Criteria
External Contributors must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• demonstrate experience and knowledge in the field of academic study, sport,or adventure training, at a professional level and/or
• be an office bearer of or be otherwise affiliated to an organisation which promotes any of those disciplines; and/or
• demonstrate expert knowledge in the history, achievements and leadership qualities of Lt Col Blair Mayne which inspired this Bursary.

The Sub-Committee normally meets 3-4 times per year. The work of the SubCommittee is supported and facilitated by a Council Officer. Meetings of the Sub-Committee are minuted and the Minutes are tabled for approval by the Council. The Minutes are treated as a public record. External contributors, on appointment, will be asked to complete a “Declaration of Interest” form.

Remuneration: This is a voluntary role. The Council will cover reasonable travel expenses.

How to Apply: Application Forms and further information can be obtained from amanda.irvine@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk or by phoning 0300 013 3333 Ext: 40715


The closing date for applications is Friday 1st September 2023. Applications submitted after that date will not be considered

Blair Mayne Bursary award scheme currently closed

  • Are you aged 25 or younger?
  • Are you thinking of pursuing a career in sport, academic study or adventure training?
  • Would a £500 bursary help?

The Blair Mayne Bursary Award Scheme, operated by Ards and North Down Borough Council, awards £500 to applicants to help them realise their aspirations by helping fund a goal or a particular project.

Application forms can be picked up at Council offices at Bangor Castle and Church Street Newtownards.

Application form is below: editable PDF to be completed, saved and returned by email. Guidance notes for applicants can be found in the drop down section below: please read before completing application.

Closing date for applications is 9 January 2023 at 12.00noon.

The Blair Mayne Bursary Guidance Notes

Guidance Notes for Applicants

Background  

The legacy of great men such as Blair Mayne is the freedom in all its forms which has, and continues to be, enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people across the world today.  

 The response to the public appeal for the memorial to Colonel Mayne was so great that the funds raised exceeded the amount required to commission the bronze statue which now graces Conway Square in Newtownards.  

Consequently the Council decided to use these surplus funds to establish the Blair Mayne Bursary.   

Who Can Apply?  

The Bursary welcomes applications:  

  • From residents of the Ards and North Down Borough who are aged 25 years or under.  

What Are The Categories?  

There are three categories:  

  • academic study  
  • sport, and   
  • adventure training.  

What Level Of Funding Is Available? 

Each bursary is £500.  

What Do I Need To Do To Apply?  

Complete the application form, making sure to record your address and date of birth.  

Provide as much detailed information and supporting documentation as you can. The form consists of only one page and applicants are actively encouraged to use continuation sheets to ensure that the Blair Mayne Bursary Committee has enough information with which to assess applications.  

Remember that the Bursary’s guiding principle is ‘aspiring to excellence’ and therefore, applications are scored with the following criteria and should clearly indicate how the bursary would demonstrate each:  

  • Aspiring to Excellence (Max. 10 points)  
  • Innovation /creativity (Max. 10 points)  
  • Benefit to others (Max. 5 points)  
  • Personal development of the candidate (Max. 10 points)  

  As special emphasis is placed on these areas, applicants should try to address them when completing their forms.   

 When Will I Know The Outcome?  

The Blair Mayne Bursary Committee will meet to assess applications as soon as possible, normally in January, and applicants will be informed of the outcome in writing thereafter.  

For further information contact Amanda Irvine, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT, Tel: 028 9182 4004, E: amanda.irvine@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk 

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