Saintfield was one of four rural communities which each won £1,000 in the Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards competition 2015.
The Housing Executive was delighted with the interest shown in what was the second year of the Rural Awards. Launched at the Balmoral Show in May, the awards scheme aimed to reward rural communities working to better their areas. The competition entries highlighted the tremendous work being carried out in rural communities across Northern Ireland with each and every entry highly commendable. The awards illustrated the high level of community activity by those who are making a contribution to improving, not just the environment, but also the community spirit within rural areas.
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Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, and the Housing Executive’s Regional Director Siobhan McCauley presenting the Rural Awards to the winners from Saintfield Development Association.[/caption]
The winners were:
Community Spirit Award:
* Small Village: Toome: TIDAL
* Large Village: Cloughmills: Cloughmills Community Action Team
Cleaner and Greener Award:
* Small Village: Cairns, Cushendall: Cairns Residents Group
* Large Village: Saintfield: Saintfield Development Association
Presenting the winners with their cheques, the Minister for Social Development, Mervyn Storey, said: “It is a great pleasure for me to present these Rural Community Awards.
“I would like to congratulate not just the winners but everyone in the rural community for the fantastic work they do. There may be four awards for overall winners but the work carried out by local community associations, throughout Northern Ireland, ensure our rural communities are all winners.
“I want to see a vibrant countryside where people want to live and I am committed to ensuring our rural communities are given the support they need.”
Siobhan McCauley, Housing Executive Director of Regional Services, said: “At the Housing Executive we know the importance of rural areas as places to live and work and we have been working hard to help build strong vibrant communities. Entries to our competition have highlighted, once again, the tremendous work being carried out in rural communities across Northern Ireland.
“I would like to pay tribute to all those who are actively engaged in their communities, making their contribution to improving not just the environment but also the community spirit within their rural neighbourhood.”
Orla McCann, of Supporting Communities NI who was involved in the assessment of the applications commented:
“It was a pleasure to be involved in the Rural Community Awards and have the opportunity to see the really valuable work being carried out by community associations in rural areas throughout Northern Ireland.
“I would like to congratulate not only the four winners, but all who took the time and trouble to submit an application to showcase their areas. The standard was set at an extremely high level indeed and was reflected in the variety of projects being carried out as well as their impact on the ground. It is a testimony to all those involved in working to improve their own areas and communities, they are an inspiration to us all!”
The Housing Executive’s Rural Awards competition was introduced following feedback from young people highlighting their concerns that not enough was being done to protect and enhance their villages. Through the awards the Housing Executive wants to support and reward rural communities who work together to improve their neighbourhoods.
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