Saintfield Development Association received a Highly Commended award at the Housing Executive Rural Community Awards 2014.

“Following careful consultation of all the applications received … the panel were impressed by the standard of your application and would like to acknowledge this by presenting you with a certificate that highly commends your project.”

Last year a few Musicians of Saintfield got together and tried their hand at putting on a local music festival towards the end of the harvest season. Over the course of the weekend around 1000 people enjoyed a feast of music in the local churches and pubs.  From Choirs and Classical Music, to Rock Bands and Singer-Songwriters; Saintfield was enveloped in quality music making from start to finish. Such was its success that, with the support of Down District Council, it’s back this harvest on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October.

More details about this year’s HarFest can be found HERE.

Rowallane Garden’s Spooktacular Ghosts and Gourds event is taking place on 18 & 19 October.

Head along for a bewitching day out for all the family. The Garden will come to life this Hallowe’en with a terrifying ghost trail, spooky stories and watch your little ones be transformed with fearsome face painting. Pop along and meet Phil and his animal friends and to top of the event why not behead, scoop out and carve your very own pumpkin to take home with you, to ward away the evil spirit this Hallowe’en.

Their vibrant café and shop reflect the change in seasons, so on your journey why not take the weight off your feet and pop in for a hot cuppa and a winter warmer with their hearty soups, and a nosy round the shop and see what Hallowe’en goodies you can pick up.

The event takes place between 12 noon and 5pm on both Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October and remember to come along in fancy dress, the Rowallane team will be!

Normal Admission charges, National Trust Members Free Admission.

The Met Office issued a Yellow Alert of wind for counties Antrim, Armagh and Down valid from 0000 Mon 06 October to 1200 Mon 06 October.

The result of the wind was that a tree fell and blocked the main Belfast to Downpatrick road causing rush hour traffic disruption, and a power line was brought down causing an interruption to the electricity supply.

More photographs of the disruption can be viewed HERE.

Down District Council will unveil its plans for the proposed Saintfield Community Centre at a Public Consultation to be held in Saintfield High School on Tuesday 7th October at 7.30 pm.

The council members and consultants in attendance will focus on the plans for the Belfast Road site shown above, and no other topics will be discussed.

Downpatrick Street car park – 1 bag litter
New Line and play park –  1 bag litter

While marshalling the Saintfield Cycle Ride on Ardmillan Road, Moss Road and Bog Road – 1 bag litter

Total: 3 bags litter

Gardens in autumn have a special charm all of their own and Rowallane, the beautiful National Trust garden in Saintfield, is now shaping up into spectacular autumn colour. Head out and enjoy the magnificent garden and browse through the stalls at their Autumn Plant Fair on Saturday 4 October.

Don’t just visit Rowallane though!  Call into Saintfield village itself and enjoy the lovely shops and cafes before heading home!

… and awaits its final top surface.