Moneyreagh & District Community Association
N1107202
Public Address: 36A Church Road, Moneyreagh, BT23 6BB.
Annual Report to Trustees for the Financial Year 1st April 2022 to 31st March
2023
Moneyreagh & District Community Association is founded to, "advance educats'on
and to promote the benefit of the inhabitants (hereinafter called the "benefi'ciaries,) of
the Moneyreagl7 village, wider rural district and its environs of County Down
(hereinafter called the "area of benefif) by associating with the statutory authorities,
other community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort
to advance education, improve the community environment and to provide or assist in
the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other
leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said
inhabitants."
For the year in question, the following persons served as Committee members
and trustees of Moneyreagh & District Community Association:
Robert Campbell
Nelson Bryce
Nikki Donnelly
Stephen Gray
Peter Johnston
Mary Mcmillian
Joanne Aiken
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This Report is for the financial year from l April 2022 to 31 March 2023 and a
summary of the Associations Activities includes:
Over the last few years, it has been difficult due to the ongoing Covid 19 Pandemic
and lock down curtailing social activity we are pleased to say we are well on the way
to recovery. Our clubs, Create and Grow, Paintbox (Art Club), The Nook, now
relaunched as the Moneyreagh Seniors (Afternoon Tea club) have all met regularly
from September 22 to December 23 and January 23 to April 23. The mum and tots
group remain strong in attendees and we offer a sincere thank you to Rory Knox and
his colleagues for continuing to run the group on our behalf.
Monies from the MAC assisted the Paintbox Art group with tutors and materials. Also
provided materials for our Craft and grow crafts group. Our sincere thank you to Mary
Shields for running this group and our thank you to committee member Peter
Johnston for supporting Paint Box. All ourclubs assist enormously toward the area of
mental health and cohesion within community.

All organisations within the village, Masonic Lodge Union Band Lodge 566, The Wl,
The Young Farmers, The Non -subscribing Presbyterian Church and The Moneyrea
Old Standard Orange Lodge 783 together with our association held a serious of
meetings coming up to the Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations to provide a
weekend of events to mark the occasion. No funding covering our costs for our part in
the join project was obtained. The weekend was organised and advertised by our
association and the following events took place from Thursday 2nd June through to
Sunday 5 June 22.
Thursday 2, June 22, Masonic Hall open from 5pm to 9pm for tours and strawberry
rd
tea. Friday 3 June 22 Childrens fancy dress pride with the local orange lodge and
pipe band through the village to the community centre. At the centre"The Young
Farmers supplied a BBQ. There was Scottish dancing supplied by"The Michelle
School of Scottish Dance" and prizes for the children were supplied by "Create and
Grow" craft group. Saturday 4 June 22 The Women's Institute held a Queens
Platinum senior citizens afternoon tea in The Lyttle Memorial Hall Running
alongside this event Moneyreagh and District Community Association ran a family
funday, the funday consisted of Horse and carriage rides, a BBQ, face painting,
bouncy castles and crafts etc. On the Saturday evening the Non-subscribing Church
held a barn dance and in attendance was the Scottish School of dancing. Sunday 5
th
June 22 a thanksgiving service was held in the non-subscribing Church for Her
Majesty the Queen, this was led by Rev Chris Wilson and all stakeholders in the
village was in attendance. During all the events attendees made donations toward
the "AirAmbulance Nl". A total of £2600 was raised and donated.
December 22 projert was the swltchlng on of the Chrlstma5 tree withln the vlllage, thls was
carried out by councillor Haze Legg. Entertainment was also provided around the tree
provided by caricatures wlth song. A children s train was supplled to ferry children from
the tree to a room in the community centre which was transformed into a Sants Grotto
where each child received a small gift. Further to this we also held a Christmas dlnner for
the senior members of our groups. We held this event In the Auld House restaurant, and we
are grateful for the support of the proprietor Stephen Grey.
Under the banner of Good Relations during February 23, we hosted a Chinese
Evening introducing this cultural experience. We provided food tasters sessions,
Chinese Music, dance and craft sessions. This provided an education on other
cultures living within community.
During February 23 we held a family fun day with a difference. We set up a virtual
playroom with computer games, this was a big success with the older children. The
main hall in the community centre had crafts, bouncy castles, and food for all.
The committeeltrustees offer our thanks to all who support the associatt'on in its
endeavours throughout the year and help make each of our projects a success.
Our Public Benefit

The committee members and trustees annually reflect on our activities set against our
stated Public Benefits, which are,
"the reduction of njral social isolation, the reduction of anti-social behaviour, the
improvement of mental health andphysical well-being of the inhabitants of
Moneyreagh village, wider Rural District and its environs as well as the building of an
integrated community in the area."
The committee, following a consideration, believes that the work of the Association
contr'nues to contribute to the public benefit by the establishment of the Moneyreagh
Hub working in partnership with organizations within the village. The lockdown
offered the opportunity to assist people who were isolated providing mush need
assistance. Lobbying local council also assisted with free food parcels.
Financial Review
This year funding was received from fvnders Lisburncastlereagh City Council which
we are grateful. The Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations was self-funded by the
association. Audited accounts are attached to the report and confirm Moneyreagh
and District Community Association do not own buildings or assets.
This report has been approved by Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Chairperson
Moneyreagh and District Community Association
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Date:31 March 2023