One of the most successful community projects in County Down celebrated its twentieth anniversary in Downpatrick on Saturday. The Ballymote Centre has grown from strength to strength and is the proud backbone of a local community that once figured very highly in the list of areas of deprivation in Northern Ireland.
Pat Branniff, Chairman of the Ballymote Project Board, welcomed local residents and guests to the Ballymote Centre and said: “We are here to celebrate the vision and work of a few dedicated people twenty years ago who identified a need for a shopping centre and leisure facilities for the people of the Ballymote area.
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Set to enjoy the twentith anniversary cake for the Ballymote Centre are Ciaran Taggart, Ballymote Project Board member, Harry Rice, owner of Lucy Annie’s bakery and cafe, Dermot McNabb, Pat Branniff (chair), Board members, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and Councillor Naomi Bailie, Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Council.[/caption]
“Against a background of civil inrest in the early Nineties, the secured the necessary funding to get the project moving and towards its fruition. The magnificent centre that we have today provides health, shopping, and leisure facilities for both the local community and the wider Downpatrick area.
“The centre currently provides 120 full and part-time jobs. In 2010, with the support of a range of funders, a major extension was opened which further enhanced the facilities available.”
Mr Branniff paid tribute to his fellow directors of the Ballymote Board for the work and dedication. To three of the present board members – Dermot McNabb, Ciaran Taggart and Mary Maquire – we owe a great debt of gratitude… they have been involved since the inception and without their work we would not have the marvellous facilities we have today. I also thank Paddy kelly for his work since joining the Board. And may I also pay tribute to the late PJ O’Hare who devoted so much of his time working for the people of Ballymote.
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Ballymote Project Board members with members of the County Down RCN, local politicians and business people from the Ballymote Centre.[/caption]
“A strong management team runs the Ballymote Centre to oversee the day-today running and we are lucky to have Nicholas McCrickard and his team from the County Down Rural Community Network aboard. This partnership has been very beneficial for both organisations.
“Since the beginning, the centres’ shops have been fully let and I thank the traders and tenants for their continued support. The local community has also been very appreciative and we thank them for their support. I am confident that going forward the Ballymote Centre will continue to serve the needs of the local community.
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Ready to tuck in are Cormack, Melissa, Cira and Keeva Murray.[/caption]
Speaking at the event, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said: “Today is a celebration event marking twenty years of the Ballymote Centre, a celebration of the many volunteers who invested considerable effort to establish an economic regeneration project to ensure that jobs and economic opportunity could be provided in an area of disadvantage.
“Those volunteers including Dermot McNabb, Ciaran Taggart and Mary Maguire invested their knowledge and expertise to regenerate this area and ensure that small businesses located in the Ballymote area of Downpatrick. As a consequence of their efforts along with those of Nicholas McCrickard, Pat Braniff and Paddy Kelly amongst others – the Ballymote Centre was extended in 2010 and the Ballymote Wellbeing Centre was constructed with financial assistance from the Department for Social Development and other agencies.
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Doris checks out the leaflet stand at the front door in the Ballymote Centre.[/caption]
“Ballymote is now a thriving local small business community where many people now live, work and recreate. It is a vibrant local community.
“Congratulations must go to all those involved in this pioneering venture (both past and present) which brought about social and economic regeneration in the Ballymote area of Downpatrick”.
Councillor Naimi Bailie, Chairperson of the Newry Mourne and Down District Council, speaking at the celebration ceremony, said: “It is an absilute please to be here today and I am extremely proud on this very significant occasion. I have seen first hand what an assett this centre is to the local community and to the people of Downpatrick.
“On many occasions, I have personally over the years visited the centre for expert advice and assistance with community matters, for access to vital services as chold carem youth space and I have availed of the many businesses onsite.
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The St Miguel Community Youth Band performing at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Ballymote Centre.[/caption]
“This facility is a first class model of best practice for shared space and a place that people from any community can access and enjoy. It is a focal point of the community and is a place of gathering and a place of social enterprise, community development and business.
“A number of years ago I worked here as a benefit enabler with the Maximising Access in Rural Areas Programme and it struck me how important a role this centre plays in the Ballymote community, particularly as the area is classified as a neighbourhood renewal area.
“The success of the project is evidenced by the volumes of people who pass through here weekly. I am proud of the legacy of Down District Council which help to lay strong foundations for community enhancement here and provide a springboard for economic expansion.
“Therefore I wish to congratulate the Ballymote Community Project Ltd members and acknowledge the key role played by the Flying HOrse Ward Forum, County Down RCN, and the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Partnership in getting this project off the ground years ago.
“I wish you all every success in the years ahead and Newry Mourne and Down District Council offers its support in your endeavours to develop and enhance services ad community life in this part of Downpatrick.”
Richard McGreevy, Ballymote butcher and long standing tenant said: “Speaking on behalf of the tenants and users of the centre,I would like to thank the Chairman of the Ballymote Project Board and the Board members and the staff at the Ballymote Centre for all their help over the years. It has been a fantastic success story.
“We also congratulate the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum and the County Down Rural Community Network for all making this project work so well through their dedication and vision. We look forward to your loyal support for the future.”
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