Aghalee Village Hall Winter Newsletter 2022

Christmas at Aghalee Village Hall

Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December.

Times: Friday 5pm – 8pm Saturday 2pm-5pm and 5pm – 8pm.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Aghalee Village Hall to visit Santa in his Grotto. Visits will be by online appointment only and the Grotto will be in the Paul Green Hall. Access on Friday and Saturday evenings will be through the main hall. Access on Saturday afternoon will be via the alley.

All the event and safety paperwork, along with grant application for Council, has been completed. Booking at https://kyzlgujpxhflxanddc.10to8.com or find the link on our facebook page.

Only ONE family/household per slot. There is no charge for an appointment to visit but we thank you for donations. Please inform us if you are unable to attend. Please note that we will not be taking bookings by email or private message.

The halls will be decorated on Tuesday 6th December at 10.30am. Most of the decorations will be taken down on Monday 12th December.

We are looking for a number of helpers to assist with getting Aghalee Village Hall ready for the arrival of Santa. Tasks will include the decorating of trees and the preparation of Santa’s Grotto. Someone who can climb a ladder will be required for some tasks but the rest of the jobs are at floor level!

Normal Service Has Been Resumed!

In September we re-opened as normal. All Covid restrictions had been lifted for premises such as ours, although we continue to offer hand sanitization for anyone entering the premises.

It was initially very strange to be back to working as normal without face coverings and signing in books, although numbers in some of the groups and the Arts Programme remain small to better suit the smaller rooms, to leave adequate space for those who may be

vulnerable and to allow tutors to get around everyone one to one. We started to plan again for public events without having to over worry about numbers attending. Risk assessments were re-evaluated for each event and subtle changes made to event and group/club planning. We continue to monitor advice given by the authorities and as a rule we advise any group or club or people attending public events ‘If anyone in the household is unwell in any way, please do not attend the Village Hall’, and this will be the advice for the future.

Book Club is Back!

After the covid hiatus, and a short spell online, Aghalee Book Club returned to faceto-face meeting in September 2022.

We have retained a lot of our original members but in addition, we welcomed a number of new faces to the group. We invited one of our new members to recommend our first book, The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien. The group agreed that the book was a harrowing read and explored a difficult period in European history.

Our next read was a less challenging novel, very loosely based on the real-life story of Elizabeth Taylor. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo told the story of movie icon, Evelyn Hugo’s glamorous and scandalous life.

Our book club is a group of local people from Aghalee and the surrounding areas who meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the Loft for a cup of tea and a chat about books and many other topics. We have been together as a group since 2013 and we are always keen to welcome new members. Come along and join us for a cuppa and a natter.

Outdoor Festive Lighting

Thanks to Chris Buller from the committee for repairing the lights as usual and to the committee, who have organised all the safety paperwork for permissions to hang the lights.

AVH will be footing the electricity bill for the lights, involving PowerNI/NIE & DfI. AVH will be footing the electricity bill for the lights. Many thanks to Nigel Grant for the use of his machine and also to Frank McGrady for helping to hang the lights.

Arts Programme

Final funding has been received to run the programme until the end of June 2023. Each term is advertised by email lists, notice-boards and on social media. The programme is proving very popular once again. See P10/11 for photographs of some of the workshops.

Dazed

Gig Night

We had a fantastic night on Saturday 8th October at the Rock and Pop Gig Night. All those who came along had a great time. It was wonderful to have live music back at the hall.

The Banjo Boys

Door takings were £920 and the ballot raised £360 plus £30 donation – a total of £1,310, a big increase on previous Gig Nights. Thanks to the performers, Dazed, The Banjo Boys and Renegade Kings. Special thanks to William Redpath and John Buller for organising.

We are very grateful to those who provided ballot prizes:

• Gift Voucher - 6 lessons & Ins - Aghalee Taekwondo Club

• Gift Voucher - £50 - Fane Valley

• Gift Voucher - £50 - Smyth Patterson Ltd

• Needlecraft Equipment - Nifty Needles

• Gift Voucher - Poole’s Supervalu Moira

• Gift Voucher - Whispering Willow Holisitic Therapies

• Gift Voucher - Empathy Creations

• Gift Voucher for Herb/Flower planter - The Beeches Resource Centre

• Several prizes were also given by Committee members

Renegade Kings

The crowd at Gig Night

Christmas Market

A Christmas Market was held on 23rd October. A super event and a lovely day was had by many people attending this market. The hall had been booked by local man Johnny Greer who thought there would be an opportunity for this event and how right he was. Loads of stalls with a great variety of goods for sale. We hope to see him back next year.

Craft Fair

A Craft Fair was also held at the hall on November 5th. After the success last year of the first such event, local resident Trish Rogers again hired the hall for a craft fair on 5th November. This was a fabulous event with loads of crafts and a demonstration of turning in the small hall, enjoyed by a great crowd. Thanks to Trish for continuing to host this very popular event.

Art Exhibition/Afternoon Tea

Our annual Art Exhibition and Afternoon Tea raised £555.00. (Afternoon Tea raised £311 and the Art exhibition donations £244) Thanks to the Art Group and their tutor Cherie Craig for organising the exhibition and for the donations. Thanks also to Fiona Maree for all her hard work in making the Afternoon Tea fund-raiser such a success.

Chairman Lewis Trevithick, Fiona Maree and Cllr Sian Mulholland at Afternoon tea

Traffic Calming/ Village Renewal Update

LCCC Regeneration and Infrastructure

All the plans are with DfI and they are now to formally advertise a public consultation in the press about the planned work. They hope to do this in January 2023. Any objections lodged at this stage have to be completely cleared before work can proceed. If no objections are received, the start and finish of the planned work is possible by end March 2023. Apparently, due to sightlines on the Lurgan Road there is nowhere they will put a crossing in the village. Please watch the press for information about the consultation.

Bus Shelters

It seems the application from some years ago has been lost. David Honeyford MLA is making another on behalf of the village.

Planting out Tub

Thanks to Christine from Down to Earth Gardening for taking care of this every year.

We are unsure if the planned footpath opposite the Village Hall from Ballycairn Road corner to the Beeches unit has been retained in the planning submitted to DfI. Softening and planting of the very wide footpaths to discourage vehicles from constantly parking and obscuring the view of exiting traffic. At Lockvale Manor verge provision at either side of bell mouth which will reduce the extensive hard surfacing here, remains part of the approved planning, but will be grass seeded only. Planned Ballycairn Road corner planting was removed due to sightline restrictions on the Church entrance.

Moira Station Plans Update

The car park is going ahead in 2024/25 as per plans lodged with Translink and Planning Office.

In the interim, as no additional safety measures will be taken for those using the station, wearing high-vis when walking to the station is recommended. It was noted that hedging alongside the very uneven footpath needs to be cut back and the pavement would need attention, also the other footpath has large planters along its length hindering pedestrians – these issues will be raised on behalf of the public by David Honeyford MLA.

State of the Canal

There had been a report in the press about 40 houses could be flooded if the Lagan Canal and Broadwater banks burst.

We requested a copy of the report. A letter has been received from DfI stating that no report will be issued as it is a matter of national security. This appears to be because the Broadwater is designated ‘a reservoir’ and a ‘reservoir’ is high security, despite the Broadwater being solely a reservoir for the Lagan canal and not a drinking water reservoir. Some maintenance work is planned to bring the ‘reservoir’ up to new standards. It is not known what work will be carried out as this too would appear to be a matter of national security.

The Meadow looking beautiful

Jubilee Parties

Thanks to a grant from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, we were able to host Jubilee celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of HM Queen Elizabeth to the throne.

On 1st June AgeNI had a fun packed afternoon tea and what a lovely day it was. There was singing and entertainment as well as a delicious lunch of home-made sandwiches, scones and cakes along with a goodie bag of mementos of the occasion and on 4th June, 70 over 70s had a Jubilee Tea. This was a great success, with many old friends meeting up again to remember the Coronation and

to renew friendships. Everyone left with a small memento of the day. Many thanks to Committee member, Fiona Maree, who baked and produced all the goodies eaten on both days. What a day! We had our Jubilee Tea Party on June 4th and it was a fantastic afternoon. Thanks to a grant from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council we were able to treat seventy people over 70 to a delicious tea of home made sandwiches, scones and buns. The Mayor of Lisburn, Stephen Martin, came along to say hello as did Councillor Thomas Beckett. As always, we couldn’t hold these events without our willing volunteers. A huge thank you to Lorraine, Susan, Libby, Michael, Asher, Katherine, Pauline and Fiona for all your hard work.

Rural Youth Provision

Disappointingly the Education Authority has not made any headway in provision of activities for rural youth; indeed they have not even appointed an officer to manage help this.

This issue affects a number of rural villages such as Aghalee and in consequence, our youth is left without any provision. Councillor Sian Mulholland has taken this

matter up personally with the Education Authority and has impressed on them the need for provision for our children. Hopefully this will have some effect and an officer will soon be appointed to work with our young people. The Village Hall might soon be developing an audit and strategy to find out the makeup of youth in the village and surrounds and ask the young people what they would like to see happening for them.

Chairman Lewis Trevithick and Mayor, Cllr Stephen Martin

Model Railway Exhibition

A Model Railway exhibition was held in the main hall on October 30th and train enthusiasts were delighted to see the amazing display. This was a very enjoyable event, well attended by the community. William Redpath, his wife Carol and brother George, laid out models of working railways and spent the day demonstrating them in action. Donations were £83.77, thanks to those who attended and donated and to William & Co for running the event.

Solstice Walk

Despite inclement weather we managed to raise £110 in donations. Raymond Macauley kindly donated the £40 for food back to the hall, bringing the final total donated to £150. Many thanks to Raymond for the donation and to Ruth and Raymond for organising the food.

Updates and information from some of the Groups in the Hall this year.

AgeNI Aghalee Group

Thanks to grants from The Honourable The Irish Society, Telecommunity and The Halifax Foundation NI, AgeNI Aghalee are enjoying some craft classes this term. Here they were making pebble art with Sarah Gordon tutoring.

In October The Beeches Nursery Unit brought some items from their harvest festival to AgeNI.

AgeNI – Aghalee Group received funding through CFNI – Older People’s Fund to give each member a food parcel once a month for 15 months. This will make a big difference to each of them so they won’t have to worry about eating or heating.

Weight Loss Support

The Aghalee group is going really well with a total of over 34+ stones in total lost this term!

One lady reached her target weight this course having lost a total of 4stones in 26 weeks, attending Aghalee for 2 terms and Glenavy classes in between times.

If you need motivation to join WLS, maybe that will be enough to get you there.

Depending on numbers applying, there may be another course starting in January 2023, so watch the pages for information.

wlswithbernie@gmail.com

Aghalee Taekwondo Club

Aghalee Taekwondo Club has been active since 2012. The club started out as a kids club but is now an all inclusive club for anyone wanting to improve themselves.

The club has given many young people in the area much more confidence in life and helps our young local people, by means of healthy recreation, to develop their capabilities and fulfil their potential as individuals and members of society.

The village hall has also been the venue for various United Taekwondo Association grading exams conducted by master Glen Culbert, 7Dan Kukkiwon

instructor along with various other 5/6Dan Kukkiwon instructors. These gradings allow Taekwondo students throughout Northern Ireland to progress through the belt sequence.

Ballet

Unfortunately, much of the existing safety equipment was really old and ripped or damaged due to use over the years with only a small amount still usable. Sparring shortens the life span of the equipment and this equipment was ten years old and given the pandemic and lack of income, the funds were just not there to replace these items. So this year they applied for funding to replace the equipment and were successful in being awarded £1,539.50 from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council through the ‘Keep the Ball Rolling’ grant, £2,400 from the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust and £500 from The Enkalon Foundation. This combined with more than £400 raised through a box at McBee’s, in Lurgan thanks to Carol McBarron, means the club will be able to replace ALL of the damaged equipment. Huge thanks to all of these funders who have made this possible.

Pictures from the ballet course held regularly in the hall. From left to right. Orla on pointe working for grade 8. The grade 4 class getting ready for the Christmas coffee morning. And Holly, Bonnie and Holly G in class

Arts Programme

Photos of Activities

Macrame Children’s workshop

Photography

Macrame

Child Felting Wall hanging Art Course

Children’s Witches & Spiders Workshop

ProgrammeActivities from term 1

Thanks to the following funders who have made this very successful programme possible for 2022/23:

Without this valuable help the programme would not be taking place and the local community wouldn’t be able to take part in some wonderful workshops, learning new skills and making new friends.

Shibori/Tie Dying

Sock Course, Jewellery and Cushions

Grants & Fundraising

Grateful acknowledgement to the following funders:

LCCC Covid recovery Varying ways to work prog

Nationwide Fdn

Core

Awarded £4,500

Awarded £5,000

DfC Covid recovery

Core

Core

Awarded £5,000

Awarded £11,700 Foyle Fdn

LCCC Comm Service Grant

LCCC Jubilee Grant

Core

Awarded £4,510 Enkalon TKD................................................................ Awarded £500

Jubilee Celebrations

Awarded £500

Arnold Clark Community Fund

Telecommunity

Arts Prog

Arts Prog - SEN/AgeNI

Arts Prog - SEN/AgeNI

Awarded £3,000

Awarded £1,000 Halifax Fdn

Awarded £2,000

The Honourable The Irish Society Arts Prog - SEN/AgeNI Awarded £1,000

John Moores Fdn NI

Garfield Weston - Aug

Arts Prog – Children

Arts Prog

Awarded £5,000

Awarded £7,500

Arts Council NI - Aug Arts Programme Awarded £5,000

CFNI - Older Peoples Fund (Aug22) ...... Food Parcels 15 mths

Awarded £4,700

LCCC Christmas Grant

Christmas

Awarded £1,000 HMRC Gift Aid from 2021 donations

£325 Awards for All

Arts Prog

Awarded £ 9,999

£72,234 (Core = £30,710 / Art Programme £34,499 / AgeNI £4,700 / Taekwondo £500 / Jubilee £500 / Gift Aid £325)

Total awarded so far this year

We continue to make grant applications towards the work of the hall.

Wag & Bone Club Has Stopped

In July, we were informed by Margaret Agnew that she was retiring from Wag & Bone Club due to ill health and wouldn’t be starting again in September.

We have had a long and happy relationship with Margaret and the dog training club and the records we hold go back 22 years to 2000. The Committee is very sad to see Margaret retire and the club close and wishes Margaret a very happy and healthy retirement; thank you Margaret for being a valuable part of the Aghalee Village Hall community for so many years and for training so many dogs (and owners).

The 2022 committee Officers

Chairman – Lewis Trevithick

Vice - Chairman – Matthew Hull

Treasurer – Christopher Buller

Secretary – Pauline Buller

Club Representatives

Aghalee Taekwondo: Susan McCavigan and Michael Beacham

Art Class: Lewis Trevithick

Ballet Class: Pauline Buller

Ballinderry Badminton Club: Derek Blakely and Bobbie Hamill

Book Club: Fiona Maree and Kerry Quinn

Needlework Club: Pat McAdams

Upholstery Class: Alison Gawith and Anne Miskelly

Wag & Bone Class: Suzanne Cochrane and Margaret Agnew

Public Representatives

David Twigg, Matt Hull, Fernando Gutierrez, Chris Buller, Walter Robertson, Andrea Huff.

Ruth Macauley, Booking Secretary agreed to remain with the Committee to fulfil her specialised post without standing as a Committee member.

Caroline Redpath agreed to remain with the Committee to support and act as Safeguarding Officer without standing as a Committee member.

We would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly through the past number of very difficult months to keep the hall working. From the clubs and class tutors and the regular committee of volunteers who have kept things ticking over, funds coming in and the hall viable, always with a view to the future and how we can continue to be the central hub for the local community.

Aghalee Village Hall Clubs and Organisations Contacts 2022

AgeNI

WEDNESDAYS in the Main Hall – 10.00am – 3.00pm (Over 65) – Contact: Gillian Thompson ManagerContact: 07733 912 876 Gillian.Thompson@ageni.org

Aghalee Taekwondo Club

MONDAYS - in the Main Hall – 6.15pm – 7.45pm (Age 7+) THURSDAYS - in the Main Hall – 6.30pm – 8.00pm (Age 7+) Contact: Michael Beacham – 07548 885 114, or email Michaelb5717478@btinternet.com

AVH Upholstery Classes

Thursday mornings – 9.30am – 12.30pm in the Main Hall. Contact: June Acheson 028 9261 9177

Ballinderry Senior Badminton

Monday evenings and Thursday evenings 8-late. Contact: Text or call Bobbie Hamill on 07919 123 027 or Derek Blakely on 07791 267 636.

Book Club

In The Loft – first Tuesday of each month. Contact: Clare Ward 028 9265 0377

Hobby Art

In the Paul Green Hall – Mondays 10:15am – 12:15pm. Contact: Jim Cunningham 07711 981 732 or College on 0300 123 1233.

Jeanne Cree Ballet School

THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS in Main Hall - Children accepted from 3 years. Contact: Jeanne Cree 028 9265 2447

Needlecraft Group For now not meeting.

Southern Regional College - Hobby Art

FRIDAYS in the Main Hall. 10.00am to 12.30pm. Contact: Jim Cunningham 07711 981 732 or College on 0300 123 1233.

Southern Regional College - Upholstery Classes

FRIDAYS in the Main Hall. 10.00am to 12.00pm and 12.30pm - 14.30pm. Contact: Jim Cunningham 07711 981 732 or College on 0300 123 1233.

Watch this space, notice-boards, website and Facebook page for details of seasonal short courses and classes.

To find e-copies of this newsletter or to contact Aghalee Village Hall: See our Website at www.aghaleevillagehall.org.uk www.issuu.com/aghaleevillagehall or please email: aghalee.vhall@btinternet.com Postal Address: 6 Lurgan Road, Aghalee, Craigavon, BT67 0DD. Secretary Pauline Buller 028 9265 1825 Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aghaleevillagehall Newsletter Edited by Fiona Maree and Pauline Buller, designed and produced by ru5k.com