2023-03-31-annual-report

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LISLEA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT 01 APRIL 2022– 31 MARCH 2023

This is the Lislea Community Association (LCA) annual report for the period 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Activities held during the programme year:

Bootcamp exercise sessions took place each Saturday during the year with an average attendance of 10 people at each session.
Yoga classes were held weekly throughout the year. The classes were attended by 8 - 14 adults - average 12 per class.
Two classes of “Mindful Movement chair yoga” and two “Relaxation evenings” were also held with average attendance of 11 participants at each event.
Ballet classes were held weekly throughout the year. The classes were attended by 8-14 children - average 13 children per class.
Six Art workshops were held during the period 25/01/23 to 15/03/23 with an average of 11 people at each workshop. The workshops were part of the LCA Creative Arts project which was funded by the PHA Clear Project.
Three series of Sewing workshops were held as follows:
➢ 10 workshops were held from 07/04/22 to 09/04/22 with an average of 7 people at each workshop. The workshops were funded by PHA Clear Project as part of an enhancement for the LCA Arts, Crafts and Walks project.
➢ 10 workshops were held from 15/09/22 to 01/12/22, funded by ABC FAP, with an average of 12 at each workshop.
➢ 8 workshops were held from 24/01/23 to 21/03/23, with an average of 6 people at each workshop. The workshops were part of the LCA Creative Arts project, funded by The PHA Clear Project,
The Lislea annual road bowls event was held from Wednesday 06/07/22 to Friday 08/07/22 with an average attendance of 14 adults and 20 children per night. A barbeque was held at the Community Centre on the final night and the “Tony O’Reilly” Perpetual Cup was presented, by Mrs Patricia O’Reilly, to the winner of the road bowls event.
An outdoor Family Fun Day was held on Sunday 17/07/22, attended by 39 children and 27 adults. Entertainment included a bouncy castle on site as well as a magician and ended with a barbeque followed by ice-cream for everyone present. The event was funded by Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council (Queen’s Jubilee celebration funding award).
The November Mass for deceased members of the Lislea Community took place on Thursday 18/11/22 with 70 people attending. Light refreshments were served after the Mass.

The Christmas Lights Switch on event took place on Sunday 04/12/22 at 4p.m. 38 children and 42 adults attended the event and Tea/Non-alcoholic mulled wine, mince pies and sweets were served. The lights were switched on by Armagh GAA Senior County player Rory Grugan. Father Christmas also paid a visit to the children and gave a selection box to each child.
The Christmas dinner and dance was held on Friday 09/12/22 with 50 people attending. A three course meal was served and the dance took place after the dinner.

• THURSDAY GARDENING GROUP:

The Thursday Gardening Group continued their weekly meetings throughout the year with 8 to 12 people attending each week - average 9 people per week. Members worked on planting out this year’s fruit and vegetables in the poly tunnel and outdoor vegetable beds. The Group obtained £250 worth of flowers and plants via the Small Floral Grant Scheme, in July 2022, and planted them in: the rockery; the flowers beds and the display barrels, creating a lovely colourful display for the summer and autumn months.

• PHA CLEAR project - Lislea “Creative Arts project”.

LCA were successful again this year in obtaining grant funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA) Clear Project for the “LCA Creative Arts” project. Activities included in the project were:

➢ Six 2hr TCV flower arranging/cookery and craft workshops for 10 people.
➢ Four 2hr Green woodworking workshops for 10 people. During these workshops the Group made a large name sign for the Community garden.
➢ Ten 2hr Tutor lead Sewing workshops for 10 people.
➢ Six 2hr Tutor lead Art workshops for 10 people.

In October 2022, The Gardening Group were delighted to be selected as winners of the TCV UK Green Heroes Community Heroes Award in recognition of their work in developing and maintaining the Community garden. A film crew came over from England, on 6 October, and filmed the Gardening Group on location. TCV gifted the Group £100 towards a celebration event.

The Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon Borough Council (Paul Greenfield), invited the group to the Palace office, on 3 November, and presented them with their award. After the presentation they were treated to a lovely lunch hosted by the Lord Mayor.

• PRIVATE PARTIES/EVENTS HELD IN LISLEA COMMUNITY CENTRE:

During the programme year, members of the Lislea Community used the Centre for: 11 Children’s birthday parties with an average attendance of 33 people at each party; two First Communion parties with an average attendance 27 people and two private gatherings with an average attendance of 170 people.

• MEETINGS LCA/OTHER GROUPS IN LISLEA COMMUNITY CENTRE:

The LCA Executive Committee held 10 monthly meetings during the programme year and the LCA Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 29/11/22.

The Westenders Ukulele Group held six sessions, in the Centre, during the period 06/09/22 - 18/10/22 with an average of 16 people at each session.

Barnardos Young Ambassaders held a two day event, on 19/07/22 and 26/07/22, attended by 15 children each day.

The D.F.K. Summer Scheme took place during the period 17/08/22 - 19/08/22 with an average attendance of 34 children and 8 adults each day.

Scotwell House, Armagh, used the Centre on 26/08/22 for an event with 24 children and 5 adults attending.

The Tynan and Armagh Point to Point Race Committee held four meetings in the Centre with 14 people attending each meeting.

Milford Community Development Group also used the Centre for a planning meeting on 07/11/22.

CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

A coffee morning was held on 18/06/22 and a total of £1,500 was raised for The Marie Curie charity. 80 people attended the coffee morning. Eimear McCooey (Head of Marie Curie Fundraising and Caring Service) attended the event and spoke about the valuable services provided by the charity.

TRAINING COURSES FOR LCA MEMBERS:

A CPR and First Aid training course was held in Lislea Community Centre on 05/04/22 attended by 12 people. The course was delivered by Tracey O’Kane (N.I. Ambulance Service).
P.S.N.I. Community Event: Representatives from the P.S.N.I. attended a meeting, in the Community Centre, to advise members on personal safety and home security. The meeting was attended by 42 people.

COMMITTEE FUND RAISING ACTIIVITIES:

During this financial year, the following fund raising initiatives took place:

1. Annual £5 monthly draw :

The £5 monthly draw for the 2022/23 year was held. There were 110 members in this years’ draw and the monthly prizes were: £100 1[st] prize, £50 2[nd] prize and a one off prize of £60 for fully paid up members. The net income from the draw was approximately £4,740.

FUNDING RECEIVED FROM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS:

During this programme year, LCA submitted a number of applications to various funding programmes and received awards as follows:

ABC FAP Call 1: Annual core running costs 2022/2023 - an award of £2,000 was received from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council towards core running costs for the Community Centre.
ABC FAP Call 2: Ten sewing workshops - An award of £580 was received towards the cost of sewing materials/tutor fees for ten sewing workshops, during the period September 22 to November 22.
ABC FAP Additional Call ( Queen’s Jubilee celebration funding award): LCA Family Fun Day event. An award of £399 was received towards the cost of hiring a bouncy castle and magician as well as barbeque food and ice-cream.
ABC FAP Call 3: Christmas Tree Lights Switch on event: An award of £360 was received from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council towards the cost of selection boxes, Christmas decorations and table covers/napkins.
ABC Small Floral Grant Scheme 2022 :- LCA received £250 worth of flowers/shrubs for planting at the Community Centre, The flowers and shrubs were planted by the Thursday Gardening group in July 2022.
Public Health Agency (PHA) - CLEAR project 2022/23 : Short term funding project supported by the PHA (Southern Area). £949 received (£554 for 20% balance of 2021/2022 project and £395 enhancement for additional sewing workshops as part of the LCA Arts, Crafts and Walks project). LCA were also awarded £3,140, in October 2022, for the ”Lislea Creative Arts ” project. This project ran from November 22 to April 2023. £2,512 (80% of the £3,140 award) was received during this financial year. The remaining £628 (20% of the award) is due to be paid during the 2023/2024 financial year, on successful completion of the project.
Covid Recovery Programme - Grant funding. LCA received an award of £4626 from the Covid Recovery Programme in April 2022.

OTHER INCOME:

Donations totalling £1895 were received from Groups/LCA members who used the Community Centre for workshops, meetings and private parties during this financial year.

SUMMARY:

This has been another successful year for Lislea Community Association. Committee members have continued to work hard to provide a varied programme of activities for the people of Lislea and its environs. The refurbished Community Centre continues

to be used by additional groups for exercise and dance programmes as well as private family events.

I thank all of our Committee members/volunteer workers for their hard work and commitment during this programme year.

Sheila McCreesh: