Cecil Cousley
{{Short description|Northern Irish politician (1932–2020)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Cecil Cousley
| office = Mayor of Ballymoney
| term_start = 2004
| term_end = 2005
| predecessor = Frank Campbell
| successor = John Finlay
| term_start1 = 1994
| term_end1 = 1995
| predecessor1 = Joe Gaston
| successor1 = Joe Gaston
| term_start2 = 1988
| term_end2 = 1989
| predecessor2 = Joe Gaston
| successor2 = Joe Gaston
| office3 = Member of Ballymoney Borough Council
| constituency3 = Ballymoney Town
| term_start3 = 15 May 1985
| term_end3 = 22 May 2014
| predecessor3 = District created
| successor3 = Council abolished
| constituency4 = Ballymoney Area C
| term_start4 = 20 May 1981
| term_end4 = 15 May 1985
| predecessor4 = Brendan Smyth
| successor4 = District abolished
| office5 = Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for North Antrim
| term_start5 = 20 October 1982
| term_end5 = 1986
| birth_date = February 1932
| birth_place = Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
| death_date = 12 October 2020
| party = Democratic Unionist
}}
Cecil Cousley MBE (February 1932 – 12 October 2020{{cite news |title=Tributes paid to former Ballymoney Mayor Cecil Cousley MBE |url=https://www.tyronecourier.co.uk/home/2020/10/20/news/tributes-paid-to-former-ballymoney-mayor-cecil-cousley-mbe-11621/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |work=Tyrone Courier |date=20 October 2020}}) was a Northern Irish unionist politician who served as Mayor of Ballymoney on three separate occasions, and was a Ballymoney Councillor from 1981 to 2014.
A member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Cousley was a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for North Antrim from 1982 until 1986.
Background
Cousley was a farmer[http://www.ballymoney.gov.uk/Alderman_Cecil_Cousley.aspx Alderman Cecil Cousley] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218075916/http://www.ballymoney.gov.uk/Alderman_Cecil_Cousley.aspx |date=18 February 2008 }}, Ballymoney Borough Council living near Ballymoney, and an elder at Drumreagh Presbyterian Church.[http://www.dup.org.uk/CanProfile.asp?CandidateID=107 Your local DUP Council Representative: Cecil Cousley], Democratic Unionist Party
Cousley was elected to Ballymoney Borough Council in 1981 for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/73-81lgballymoney.htm The Local Government Elections 1973–1981: Ballymoney] He was also elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, 1982 in North Antrim.[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/cna.htm North Antrim 1973–1982] He held his council seat at each election until he retired in 2015, regularly placing top in the poll.[http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/lgballymoney.htm Ballymoney Borough Council Elections 1993–2005] He served as Mayor of Ballymoney in 1988 – 89, 94 – 95 and 2004 – 05, and as Deputy Mayor in 1991 – 92, 2002–03 and 2006 – 07.
In 2007, several sheep were killed on his land, leading to speculation that the Beast of Ballybogey, a phantom cat, was active; the Police Service of Northern Ireland discounted this theory."[http://www.www.scottishbigcats.co.uk/irishnews134.htm Big Cat Not to Blame: Police] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121223220633/http://www.www.scottishbigcats.co.uk/irishnews134.htm |date=23 December 2012 }}", Ballymoney Times, 7 December 2007
References
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{{s-par|ni/ass82}}
{{s-new | Assembly }}
{{s-ttl
| title = MPA for North Antrim
| years = 1982–1986
}}
{{s-non | reason = Assembly abolished }}
{{s-civ}}
{{succession box|title=Mayor of Ballymoney|years=1988–89|before=Joe Gaston|after=Joe Gaston}}
{{succession box|title=Mayor of Ballymoney|years=1994–95|before=Joe Gaston|after=Joe Gaston}}
{{succession box|title=Mayor of Ballymoney|years=2004–05|before=Frank Campbell|after=John Finlay}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cousley, Cecil}}
Category:Members of Ballymoney Borough Council
Category:Democratic Unionist Party councillors
Category:Mayors of places in Northern Ireland
Category:Northern Ireland MPAs 1982–1986
Category:Farmers from Northern Ireland