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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.

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.

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.

This year’s Saintfield Christmas Fair organised by Saintfield Development Association took place on Friday 4th December.  Plans for the evening were disrupted due to high winds, and alternative arrangements had to be made at short notice.  However the evening went ahead, with the stallholders being moved into the AYC Hall.  Fortunately the rain didn’t develop into anything serious.  SDA would like to thank the stallholders for venturing out on such a wild night, and the local businesses and traders who opened up for the evening.  And a big thank you goes to all the residents and visitors who came along and supported the Fair!  Let’s hope we have better luck with the weather next year!

Here are some photographs of the Fair.

Testimonials

 The street plan for the Christmas Fair on Friday 4th December showing the locations of entertainment and attractions can be viewed HERE.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Rowallane Garden, Saintfield.

It’s all go as the Christmas trees arrive and we hunt out the decorations, whilst untangling the fairy lights, in preparation for our festive fun which commences this weekend. We’ve even had a visit from Santa and his reindeers, Trixie and Pixie this week to start off the holiday season.

Our café is the place to be every weekend from 21 November to 6 December 12-2:30pm where you can sit beside the open fire and deck out your gingerbread man by helping to dress them using your awesome decorating skills.

What’s better at Christmas than popcorn and a festive family film? Wrap up warm and grab a hot chocolate or tasty treat and sit back and enjoy a festive film beginning on Saturday 21 November at 11am in The Barn. We will be running these every weekend through November and the films are as follows.

Saturday 21 November 11am – Elf
Saturday 21 November 2pm – Polar Express

Sunday 22 November 2pm – The Grinch

Saturday 28 November 11am – The Grinch
Saturday 28 November 2pm – Elf

Sunday November 2pm – Polar Express

Please note our barn has limited capacity and space is available on a first come first served basis.

From mid-November drop in every weekday and watch the Gardening team make wreaths and floral art in preparation for our Yuletide Market event on Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December from 12-5pm. At this popular event soak up the Christmas atmosphere with Christmas carols, mulled punch and don’t forget to meet Santa and Pixie and Trixie our NI Reindeer.

Normal Admission and National Trust Members free apply. For further information over the Christmas period please visit us at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden or call 028 97510131 and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nationaltrustbelfast

As part of this year’s Saintfield Christmas Fair Rowallane Community Hub will be hosting a Christmas Market