GLENWARD COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIA TION
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GLEN ESTATE
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ANNUAL REPORT
2023/2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Disti'ict Office
Noithei"n Ireland Housing Executive NIHE
Area Office
Northern Ireland Housing Executive NIHE
Eileeii I'hompson
Northem Ii"eland Housing Executive NIHE
Mike Mohan
Noithern Ii"eland Housing Executive NIHE
Gus Moore
Noithern Ireland HousÉng Executive NIHE
Sarah Hai"kness- Robinson
Supporting Communities Nl
Beli Getty
PSNI
Donna Mackey
Ards and North down Boi'ough Council
Paul Hawkins
Glen Community Church
Janice Mawhinney
Bees Nees Nursery
Doiial McGaiiigle
Londonderry Pi"imaiy School
Isiiiay Woods
Newtownards Clll'onicle
Cominunity Centre Staff
Ai'ds and North down Borough Council
Ti"acy and Megan
The Wai"ehouse Newtownards

CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy
enough people to make it worth the effort" Herm Albright 1876 - 1944
Some years ago the chairpersons report started with the above quote. I make
no apologies for using the same quote again this year as I found it quite
encouraging because it reaffirms to me what can be achieved when a number
of local people come together with a common interest in making their
community a better place to live, work and play together.
The GWCDA is one of those such groups. Each week members of the
community give their time freely to ensure each of the programmes, activities
and clubs run smoothly and efficiently and to these people I would like to offer
an immense thank you.
For the
Mens shed- Mr Paul Hawkins and Mr Ron Redpath
Youth Club - Rhonda, Doris, Maureen, Carter and Michelle
Walking Football {2022-2023)- Mr Billy Tate
Ladies groups and Aerobics (2022-2023) Amanda Tate
Senior Youth, I believe in the words of Benjamin Franklin when he quotes an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, these are the sentiments of Paul
Hawkins, Beth Campbell and Doris Thompson in their superb input and belief
whilst worl<ing with the youth of the area and their encouragement of those
they work with WHICH is very evident.
Thank you to all the committee members and friends who have helped with
the various seasonal events throughout the year.
During the past number of years the GWCDA have been very proud to work in
conjunction with Glen Community Church with the delivery of various
programmes including the planning and delivery of a local mural project.

GWCDA continue to lobby for a multisports/football pitch within the Estate as
this is a much needed facility for the young people in the area.
The association have continued to maintain very positive worlcing relationships
with statutory agencies such as PSNI, NIHE, Housing Associations, SEHTrust and
Ards and northdown borough council, Transport Nl, Londonderry Primary
School, Local councillors, MLA'S and MP for the area.
l am very pleased to be able to say that the support our community have
received from local business in both monetary terms and service in kind has
been fabulous.
Over the years the Newtownards Chronicle have been very supportive within
our community by providing coverage of all GWCDA events as well as our local
information column the Glen Gleanings.
Thanks to Claire for our regular FB posts and updates and I can assure you she
has been a great asset to the association over the past number of years.
Many thanks to Mr M and our very own female Monty Don (Aunty Don) you
know who you are. Who have both been very busy preparing the community
garden by way of planting bulbs and flowers over the last number of years.
They continue to be excited by our very own greenhouse, in which they plant
various fruits and vegetables.
Special thanks to Reverend Stephen Doherty, Paul Hawkins and members of
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the church family for the Church plant that celebrated its 10 Birthday this
vear and has continued to grow steadily within our community and has helped
and supported many families in their hour of need.
This has been a busy and exciting year for our community by having a number
of new homes built on the quarry heights site.
We as a committee are feeling very positive about the future with funding
being secured recently for the new shed and equipment located in the rear of
the community house, which has enhanced the growth of the mens shed
programme.

We are also very pleased to have adopted the land to the side of the
community house which will allow the group to further grow and offer new
environmental programmes.
"Remember its not what can my community do for me, but rather what can I
do for my community"
Your friend and Neighbour
Mr John A Gibson BEM. Chairperson,
Glen Ward Community Development Association

GWCDA MEETINGS ATTENDED
Housing Forum
Tlie Housing Foriiin meets quartei'ly in the Cominunity House. Represeiitatives from the
NIHE, tlie PSNI and GWCDA discuss mattel's regarding the eveiyday i'unning of the estate
such as housing, envii"onmental and social issues. The Housing Foium receives an Empty
House Update infoiming them of whei"e empty houses ￿"e situated.
The Housiiig Foi"uni also repoits oil the cleaning of the estate and discusses what needs to be
done regai'ding, e.g. hedge cutting or illegal dumping. The Housing Foi'um then approaches
tlie appi"opi"iate ageiicies to find out what can be done to tackle the problem.
The NIHE also keeps the GWCDA up-to-date on the various schemes which are due to take
place within the estate.
Steering Group
The Steel'ing Gi"oup Committee meets twice annually one of these meetings is the estate
walkabout where various i'epresentatives from all statutory agencies and local politicians are
in attendance to walk the estate and highlight various issues.
The steel.ing Group Meetings ai"e held to enable all service providers to work together for the
better of tlie estate, and to give the GWCDA the opportunity to raise issues. This meeting is
chaired by SLlPPOI"ting Commiinities.

GWCDA ACTIVITIES
GWCDA YoirrH CLUB
The GWCDA'S Juiiioi. Youth Club is held oil Friday nights from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, for all
PI'iLiiai'y Scliool aged children.
Tlie childi.eii take in many activities rangiiig fi'om aits and ci'afts, Inusic, drama, cookery,
dance and vai'ious pliysical team games, such as football, basketball and rounder's etc. Free
play is also encow.aged as it is siich an iniportant pait of a child's development.
NumbeL'S have inci"eased on the children who attend each week. We have welcomed four new
Volunteei's iii the last year to help oiit at the Youth Club. Help is always still wanted, if anyone
would like to volunteei" please call into the Glen Community House for inforniation.
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GWCDA FAMILY FUNDAY
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Tlie Aiinual Family Fun Day was held oil I l July at Londonderry Primary School in the Glen
Estate. Lots of activities wei'e held foi- the children, including bouncy castles, a giaiit slide. a
BBQ took place with lots of food and refi"eshments. The committee would like to thank
evei'yoiie for theii continuing support who made it an enjoyable day for everyone there.

GWCDA & GCC Carol service
Tlie GWCDA and GCC lield our joiiit carol service and liglit switch on at the Communit),
House this is always a vei"y well attended family event and even Santa made an appearaiice.
Cultural Community Dinner
The GWCDA held a CFll'istmas Dinner for the residents, in Scrabo Golf Club, the event was a
great success with around 45 residents attending the dinner. A great day was enjoyed by all.
UNDING
The GWCDA appreciates all the assistance that has been given over the last year and, while it
is not possible to thank evely single individiial who has been involved in raising money for the
vai.ious events and projects, the GWCDA would like to thank the following agencies and
organisations:
Depaittment of Social Development ' Sinall Pockets of Depi"ivation'
Ai"ds aRid North Down Borougli Council
Noitliei-n li-eland Floiisiiig Executive
Soutli Easteni Education and Library Board
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thaiffts ai"e wai"Inly extended in recognition to all tlie GWCDA Committee Mernbei"s
foi. theii. Iiai'd work at fuiidi-aising tlll'oiighout the ycar.
The GWCDA would particularly like to thank local sponsors who have helped so geiierously
tlyoiighout the yeaL'.