The Saintfield Development Association has submitted an application to the Aviva Community Fund for a grant to construct an adventure playground adjacent to the proposed Saintfield Community Centre.

The only projects which Aviva will consider are those which attract the most votes from YOU – the public.

To view and vote for the Saintfield submission click the image below!

Please vote now!

The Saintfield Community Centre working group, in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Council, staged two open days last weekend at the Belfast Road site for the proposed centre.

The objective was to let residents tour the facility and to appreciate the size and scale of the property, as well as to view the plans for the 3G sports hall and the community centre building.

The Events committee of the Saintfield Development Association arranged the entertainments and assisted with the running of the event.

Over 300 people attended the open days and the comments received were positive, ranging from wonder at the size of the buildings to satisfaction that progress was at last being made towards the fulfilment of a long standing need for Saintfield and the surrounding areas.

The open days were funded by a grant from the Big Lottery Celebrate Fund.

The photo shows the Chairperson of the NM and D Council, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, examining the plans for the centre with (from left to right) Cllr. Harry Harvey, Cllr. Roisin Mulgrew, Damian Scarlett (chair of the Saintfield Community Centre working group), Cllr. Terry Andrews, Cllr. Billy Walker and Ian Murray, (Chair of the Saintfield Development Association).

The Green committee of the Saintfield Development Association was successful in obtaining a grant from the Live Here, Love Here campaign of the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful initiative. This funded the plants from Saintfield Nurseries, who also gave advice on the ornamental flowering plants.
The Saintfield Community Estates Partnership, acting for the residents, involved the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in the project. They helped to draw up the plans for the garden and provided the site in Queen’s Park and all the hard landscaping.

The garden comprises a paved pathway, two pergolas for climbing plants, a bench encompassed by two wooden retainers and a flower and shrub bed.
The children of St. Mary’s Primary School constructed a “bug hotel” for the garden to encourage insects; and pupils from Academy School assisted with the planting.
SDA volunteers planted up the garden and will care for the flowers, while local residents will look after the borders and regularly water the plants.

The garden was officially opened by Nicola Fitzsimons, Community Development Officer with Love Here, Love Here at a small ceremony attended by those involved.
The garden will provide an area of colour and tranquillity in Queen’s Park and will help to beautify the area.

Martyn Todd, a member of Saintfield Heritage Society, will be giving a local history talk entitled “Snippets From Saintfield” in Saintfield Library on Tuesday 24th October from 6.45 pm – 7.30 pm.

Admission is free, and anyone with an interest in Saintfield and its history is invited to attend.

Saintfield Heritage Society will have its next talk of the 2017/18 season on Thursday 12th October in the Woodrow Room of Saintfield Parish Church Hall at 8.00 p.m.

The talk is entitled, “Building bridges from the Foyle to Ojaque”.  Dr Philip Donald, a distinguished civil engineer, recalls the highlights of his extensive experience in the building of some well-known bridges in Northern Ireland – and their West African connections.

Members are invited to bring their friends or family. Non-members are also very welcome to attend.

Membership is only £10, and that includes refreshments!

The full programme of talks for the 2017/18 season can be found HERE.

Join Saintfield Development Association for its 5th Annual

Pedal The Peninsula

cycle ride on Sunday 17th September

The route will take riders on a scenic 56-mile circuit around Strangford Lough, starting and finishing in Saintfield.

This event has attracted an increasing number of cyclists each year, reflecting the growing popularity of what is an exhilarating but not strenuous ride through the rolling Down countryside.

The event is open to all classes of cyclists and the route will be pre-marked. Marshals will be situated at strategic points around the course to ensure nobody gets lost!

There will be a pace car for the first few miles and a sweeper car will follow the riders to assist with any problems they may encounter.

Registration takes place at the Downpatrick Street car park in Saintfield (behind Danske Bank) from 8.30 am and the ride commences at 9.30 am.

The entry fee is £20 per rider and includes refreshments halfway and at the finish, as well as the ferry crossing. Registration online will reduce the entry fee to £15. Full details of the route and online entry at

www.entrycentral.com/pedalthepeninsula

Funds raised will go towards providing entertainment for the children at the SDA Christmas Fair on Friday 1st December and other SDA community projects.

Come along and enjoy a great day out!