Primary School Children Create Public Art
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Alison Lowry moved into the Old School House in Comber Street last year and has established a fully functioning glass art studio running classes for children, beginners and adults.
Recently Alison worked with St. Mary’s PS and Academy PS to produce a wall piece for the entrance to Manse Court on Crossgar Road. This is Saintfield’s first piece of public art as produced by its youngest residents! |
A Dusting Of Snow
Overnight Saintfield had a dusting of snow. Here are a couple of early morning photographs as the sun rose above the horizon.
Saintfield Community Centre update January 2016
It has been many months since Saintfield Development Association has communicated progress on the project to provide a community centre for Saintfield and the surrounding area. Like most people, the SDA Committee working on the project, was very disappointed when the newly formed Newry, Mourne and Down District Council effectively stopped the project that had been progressed by Down District Council for Saintfield. For the last six months it has not been clear how the project was to be taken forward.
In recent weeks there has been more clarity as to the next steps and so the SDA Coordinating Committee feels it is time to let people know what has happened recently and what are the likely next steps. The senior officials in NMD Council have agreed that a community centre is needed for Saintfield, but there is not yet widespread agreement among all NMD councillors as to the scale that is required for Saintfield. Although there was a very good response to the last community engagement in February 2014 ( see http://discoversaintfield.com/saintfield-community-centre/executive-summary-of-the-public-consultation/ ), when 950 people responded and provided good information to prioritise facilities in the new community centre, NMD Council has requested a revised business case and updated community consultation.
Stephen McClelland, who is experienced in social enterprise and working with community groups, has been appointed by NMD Council to prepare the revised business case by the end of January 2016. The reason for the tight deadline is that NMD will be finalising its budget and setting rates for 2016/17 in February 2016 and, if the Saintfield community centre is to be included in this next financial year, the business case for it will have to receive Council approval in February. As part of preparing the revised business case, Stephen McClelland facilitated two consultation events on 7th December 2015, kindly hosted by Ms Vivien Watt in Saintfield High School.
Over seventy school, church, sports and community groups, in and around Saintfield, were invited to send one or two people to the consultation events. Fifty-five people attended, representing thirty-five different community groups, and gave their inputs to help prioritise what should go into the new facility. This was an excellent turnout and the information they provided will be invaluable for deciding what the new centre will contain and for the business case supporting these decisions. The consultation confirmed to the new Council that that the priorities that resulted from the earlier consultation still stand. It also demonstrated to the new councillors that there is strong interest and support for a community centre from a wide range of community groups in Saintfield.
SDA is also exploring possible partnership arrangements with the private sector as well as the Council, on how best to run and manage the facility on behalf of the local community.
Below are some photographs of the participants in the afternoon session of the public consultation on 7th December.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree!
Now that the festive season is over, you can recycle your
Christmas tree and help charity at the same time!
The Saintfield Development Association will take care of recycling your tree for a small fee of £3 and all proceeds will be divided between Help for Heroes and Cancer Research U.K.
All you have to do is deliver your tree to the SDA in the car park at the rear of The White Horse Inn on Main Street, Saintfield, between noon and 3:00pm on Saturday 9th January, pay your £3 and go away with a smile on your face, knowing you have helped two worthy charities. Job done!
Update (9th January)
Sad News about Gerry Lowe
The Saintfield Development Association regrets to advise members of the death of Gerry Lowe O.B.E., a past Chairman of the SDA and a staunch supporter of Saintfield.
He passed away on Sunday after spending ten weeks in intensive care with a serious blood infection.
His funeral will be held this Wednesday 23rd December at 1-30pm at St. Ignatius Church, Comber Road, Carryduff, followed by a private family only interment at St. Andrew’s Church, Killaney, The Temple.
Following the burial, refreshments will be served to mourners at Spa Golf Club, Grove Road, Ballynahinch.
The Chairman, committee and members of the SDA extend their sincere condolences to Alison and all the family on their sad loss. Gerry will be remembered for his many years of service as Chairman and for his dedication to improving the infrastructure and facilities of Saintfield for the benefit of all residents. May he rest in peace.
From: Helen Mejury Weir
Anyone know ANYTHING about this surname MEJURY
I have an Ancestor named William John Mejury born Abt. 1850s
in Saintfield, Co Down.
Other Family names are Isabella & Hugh.
Get In The Yuletide Spirit With Rowallane Garden
The Christmas trees are up and the decorations are out, so it wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Rowallane Garden for their popular Yuletide Market event on Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December from 12-5pm.
Soak up the Christmas atmosphere with dozens of local craft and food stalls, selling a range of locally produced items and festive goods. The gardening team have been working with the support of Downpatrick New Horizons – Action Mental Health to produce stunning festive wreaths, which will be available throughout the weekend. Inspirational Head Gardener Averil Milligan will also be on hand demonstrating her floral art skills.
Listen to the local choirs each day in the Stableyard, and sip on a cup of traditional hot mulled punch. There will also be a children’s carousel and the chance to meet Santa!
Normal Admission and National Trust Members free admission apply to this event.
For further information please visit the Rowallane Garden website or call 028 97510131.
Bicycle Winner – Tonya McDonald
At the close of the Christmas Fair Martyn Todd, the Chair of Saintfield Development Association, presented Tonya McDonald with the bicycle she won in the SDA draw. The bicycle was kindly donated by Motor & Sport Cycle Wholesale Ltd of Ballynahinch.
Christmas Fair Photographs
Testimonials
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I would like to offer my congratulations to the Saintfield Development Association (SDA) after a very successful Christmas festival. Over 2000 people braved the rain and gale force winds on Friday night to attend an expertly organised event with a craft fair, santa and reindeer and a wonderful choral performance by students from Saintfield High School. The SDA are a shining example of the vital role voluntary groups play in brining people together and promoting good relations across the whole community, particularly important at this festive time of year.
Copyright 2019 Discover Saintfield
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