Saintfield Community Centre Is Up And Running!
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey, officially opened the new £1.4 million Saintfield Community Centre on Thursday 26 June at a ceremony attended by MLAs, councillors and community representatives.
The Saintfield Community Centre has been designed as a shared neutral space with a range of facilities to suit local sports clubs and organisations or individuals who need a space to interact with the local community. The latest in building technology has been used to create a carbon neutral building. Among the systems employed are heating panels on the roof, heat pumps and rain-water catchment to further reduce the running costs.
The Centre is managed by volunteers who formed the Saintfield Community Trust, a limited company with charitable status. Local groups are invited to use the centre to help make it a success. Please come and view the facilities by arrangement – phone Anna on 07568 268986.
The Centre needs your support. If you are able to spare a few hours or days in the month to help the Trust run the Centre, please email: reception.saintfieldcc@gmail.com
Download Issue 20 Of Saintfield News!
Saintfield Heritage Society’s Outing To Stormont
Thirty six members of Saintfield Heritage Society visited Parliament Buildings, Stormont Estate on Thursday 13 June. After some light refreshments the Group had a guided tour of the building where we were greatly informed, and even entertained, by our Guide who had a wealth of knowledge to share. The Visit concluded with a light lunch.
SDA Annual General Meeting
At the Saintfield Development Association’s AGM held on Monday 10th June in the new Saintfield Community Centre on Belfast Road, Councillor Terry Andrews, the Deputy Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, commended the SDA for all its work for the benefit of the community. He said it was especially fitting that the AGM was held in the new community centre in view of their recent award from NMD “in special recognition for volunteers going the extra mile” in delivering a community centre to the residents of Saintfield and district.
At the AGM, Martyn Todd was re – elected unanimously as Chair of the Association, with Janice Mchenry continuing as Vice – Chair. Also re-elected for a further year in office were Barbara Graham – Infrastructure committee, David Greer – Events committee, Lawrence Murphy – Green committee and Brian Gamble – Communications committee. Kevin Young was elected to take on the Chair of the Funding and Finance committee. A new member, Jen Smith, has taken on the role of Secretary.
Saintfield Development Association Wins Community Award
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hosted their annual Community Awards Event on Sunday 9th June in McCann’s, Newcastle. The function was an afternoon tea for community groups in the Council area.
Representing the Saintfield Development Association were Ian and Norma Mack, Paul McGeown, Peter Gregg, Lily Henderson, John Branch and SDA Chair Martyn Todd. Pamela Ballantine, the well-known media personality, presented the awards to both community groups and individual volunteers.
The Saintfield Development Association received an award “in special recognition for volunteers going the extra mile”. This referred to the Association’s efforts and determination for more than 10 years to deliver a community centre to the residents of Saintfield and district.
* STATEMENT BY THE SDA CYCLE EVENT ORGANISERS *
Further to a committee meeting tonight we have taken the difficult decision to postpone this Sunday’s SDA cycle event until September (date to be confirmed).
This decision was not taken lightly but was based on a number of factors outside our control including this weeks very poor weather and potential for difficult road conditions. The health and safety and enjoyment of all participants is of primary concern.
Anyone who has paid online will receive a full refund and we hope that you can join us in September.
Please share this with anyone that you knew to be attending. Thanks for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
David Greer
Saintfield Summer Fair in Saintfield Community Centre
The final event of the Discover Saintfield Community programme took place on Sunday 26th May in the newly completed Saintfield Community Centre. The first four events (the three heritage talks and the guided tour of Saintfield) went according to this plan and were hugely successful – the numbers attending exceeding all our expectations and two further heritage events being planned as a result.
The fifth event, a Community Fair, was organised by Saintfield Development Association and Saintfield Community Trust, with help from Saintfield Traders and community groups. There were five zones at the Fair – a Sports Zone, organised by St Mochai’s GAC, Saintfield United FC and Saintfield Cricket Club, a Music Zone organised by Fred King with star attraction Peter Corry, a Market Zone organised by John and Moira George of Barn Owl, a Children’s Zone organised by Catherine Downey of St Mary’s Primary School and a Life Zone, organised by Barbara Graham.
Around 2,000 people shared in the fun of the Fair while seeing around the new community centre facilities – an indoor artificial grass training space, a large hall, a studio, a kitchen and a small meeting room. Local traders had stalls to show their wares and community groups also engaged with the people attending. There was fun for young people, including face painting, kite making and crazy golf.
The objectives of Discover Saintfield Community were to increase a feeling of pride in the Saintfield area and encourage more engagement in community activities. The Fair was the grand finale, with the focus on signing up new volunteers. Janice McHenry and her team succeeded in signing up over 40 new volunteers. This is exactly what the stalwarts of Saintfield Development Association and Saintfield Community Trust need, to share the burden of what they are doing for the wider Saintfield community.
Martyn Todd, Chair of SDA and a Trustee of SCT said, “I could not stop myself grinning with pleasure seeing all the families and children enjoying the day and, more importantly, seeing them feeling good about their community. Thanks to all those who helped organise this very successful event – the stalls, music, the sports exhibitions and kids’ fun, all safely marshalled by volunteers.”
Copyright 2019 Discover Saintfield
Recent Comments