Killyleagh Community Association

 

Latest Updates from The Dibney Diary - Issue 13 - December 2004

Environmental Improvements

Two years ago as part of our town environmental improvement project the KCA requested the Housing Executive to remove the concrete post and wire fence at the entrance to the Castleview Estate.  At the time the work would have entailed a financial expence which the housing Executive had not budgeted for and therefore could not be carried out.  However, they informed us that the project would not be forgotten and when sufficient funds became available they would install a more favourable fence.

Two year on and they have kept their word.  We would like to thank David McClure, H.E. Grounds Supervisor Owen Brady, H.E. Manager, for providing the estate with a much safer fence that enhances the entrance to the estate.

 

Hans Sloane Garden Frederick Street

This area has now had a make over.  Some shrubs have been removed and a Christmas Tree will be placed in this space.  At a later date it can be decorated.

Car Park Frederick Street

Once again we have has this area cleaned and it is hoped that people will respect this area and help to keep it so.

Sloane Crescent

The fence has been replaced by a much higher and safer fence.  We again thank David McClure Grounds Maintenance Housing Executive for his assistance and support with our environmental projects.

 

The Killyleagh Community Association (KCA)

The KCA was originally formed in the 60's as the Town Committee in order to bring together cross community activities, it is made up of a cross section of elected members covering all sections of the community.

Its objective is to address individual and social needs and enhance the lives of those who are disadvantaged in any way and promote the benefits of the inhabitants of the town and surrounding area. Without distinction of age, sex, race, disability, political, religious or other opinion, by associating with statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

Organisation

The Association is made up of 12 elected representatives from the town and area of Killyleagh. The Officers of the Association are:- Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Asst: Treasurer, Sports/Youth Officer, Cheerleader Officer, and Footpaths & Bridelway Officer.

 

Environmental Improvements

To date we have worked for the improvement of the environment by negotiating with the District Council to provide additional flowerbeds, trees, park seats and picnic tables in the Community Centre area and around the town, in addition to resurfacing the paths and rebuild the steps to the centre.

Housing Needs

We are constantly negotiating with the Housing Executive to renovate the community housing and improve the appearance of the housing estates, by planting trees, bulbs and security fencing around the shrubbery.

Social Welfare Needs

We represent the town on inter agency committees and with the Police Service regarding anti social behaviour problems.

Youth Groups

Although the Killyleagh Youth Development Group run youth activities in the town we give every assistance possible to support their work. We also run the Killyleagh Cheerleaders Group, which consists of girls in the age range 4 - 12 years. Although only formed 4 months ago it has grown in size and at present stands at 30 members.

Social Activities

The KCA is responsible for the erection of the Christmas Lights and the Community Carol Service as well as organising the Ulster in Bloom Flower competition. It has recently entered in association with the East Down Athletic Club a road run known as the Killyleagh 5 Mile, which was hugely successful attracting 59 competitive runners in its first run and is now on the Northern Ireland Athletic Calendar.

 

Sporting Personalities

We have within the community the 2002 European Gold Medal Water Ski Champion Rodney Watson and are very proud of his achievement in this very difficult demanding sport.

Community Newsletter

The KCA is responsible for producing its own Community Newsletter. This originally started as a one page information sheet informing the community of the need for and then the progress of the Community Centre. Indeed the community centre only came into existence by pressure from the community on the District Council. It took ten years of negotiation but is now the main vocal point for most of the community activities. The newsletter has become so popular that it's circulation has risen from 200 one page copies to a staggering 12 - 16 page 400 professionally printed copies, limited in the number of copies only through cost. It is published quarterly and not only contains news around the town but is an excellent vessel for all the agencies to get information across to the community.

 

Future Projects

We hope in the next year to get invo9lved with the District Councils Viking Festival that takes place each year in Delamont Park, by holding a Viking style boat race across the harbour. Bringing the town and local rowing clubs together in what we hope will be a colourful annual event. 2003 has seen the revival of the KCA and the traders joining forces to create a more colourful Christmas Shopping Evening, creating what can best be described as Traditional Christmas Shopping with free mulled wine and mince pies for all the shoppers.

We hope with the assistance of the District Council and the Volunteer Services Belfast to clean up Mary's Stile and the old churchyard, both of which are linked to Lady Dufferin's poem 'Lament of the Irish Immigrant'. Thus providing another tourist attraction for visitors to the town. We also hope to persuade both the District Council and the Housing Executive to continue to plant more trees and flower beds and better fencing around the estates.