CHAIRPERSON’S & SECRETARY’S REPORT
2022
In the past year we met formally as a group 8 times plus the ad hoc meetings connected to consultations, ongoing issues and planning meetings connected to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
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December - we organised the Christmas Festival with the turning on of the Christmas Lights, which due to ongoing Government Regulations regarding Covid 19, the activities took place outdoors and in lieu of the Children’s Party each of the children in Ballywalter Primary and Pre-school received a selection box. Seniors Christmas Dinner was unaffected as we complied with the Government Regulations guidelines All the activities were very well attended and positive feedback from the community
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January- Made application to the following funding bodies: Ards & North Down Borough Council- Community Grants to cover our running costs plants etc
Ards & North Down In Bloom Funding – to help purchase for the community planting scheme Ards & North Down Borough Council -Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration event
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February- We formed a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration Event working group with the other organisations and businesses villages within the village to plan, organise and deliver the event in June
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March- Regular meetings with the working group to ensure the smooth running of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration Event Ards & North Down Borough Council Play Park Strategy, members with the group met with Councillors to ensure that the residents of Ballywalter would be included in the consultation process as in when it occurred
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April – May we secured funding from Live Here Love Here to commission a bespoke maritime themed planter to add to the existing feature on the wall at the Health Centre
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June – Through the dedication and continued voluntary maintenance of our community planting scheme we won first prize in the Ards & North Borough Council community planting scheme
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September – Following the summer break we resumed monthly meetings. Application was made to NIHE Rural Community Spirit Cleaner & Greener Community Awards
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October – Enrolled as a group on the Ulster Scots OCN Level One 3 committee members attended County Down Rural Community Network 25yr anniversary celebration event
3 committee members attended the Ards & North Down Borough Council’s award ceremony at the Clandeboye Estate on Friday 21[st] October to receive our award on winning the first prize for the best community planting scheme
Outside Groups we are represented on:
NIHE Housing Community Network
Ards Peninsula Coastal Erosion Group
Ards Peninsula Villages Partnership
At this point I would like to thank Caroline Girvan for coming along tonight to carry out independent chair duties
I would also like to thank the serving committee who give up their free time on a voluntary basis to improve community spirit, enhance the village through our community planting scheme and help and support to the Seniors Club and our social activities within the village
Sandra gave the following report on behalf of:
BALLYWALTER SENIORS & OVER 50’S GARDENING CLUB
Following the easing of the Government Covid 19 Regulations the Seniors Club and Over 50’s Gardening Club returned to face-to-face meetings in 2021
Activities in 2021 included the following:
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Fortnightly seniors’ sessions with afternoon tea provided
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Robbie Burns Celebrations
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Cross Community St Patrick’s Day Celebrations
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15-week Leading Ladies Programme
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10-week Water Colour Course
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Summer social Outing
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Christmas Dinner
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Mayor’s Over 50’s Christmas Tea Dance
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Christmas shopping outing
Over 50’s Gardening Club:
Activities in 2021 included the following:
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Fortnightly sessions with the gardening tutor
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Spring planters
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Summer planters
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Autumn Wreath
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Christmas Wreath
Membership of the club has grown significantly with 25 attendees at the sessions