Ballygowan & District Association AGM  2011

Ballygowan and district community association held their AGM on Monday 3.10.11 at 8pm in the village hall, Ballygowan.

Chairperson Mr.Sean Hughes welcomed everyone to the meeting. Our MP. Mr.J.Shannon, Mr.David Mc.Narry MLA, Mr.Mervyn Oswald mayor Of Ards ,Cllr's Jim Fletcher, Deborah Girvan, Robert Gibson and Trevor Cummings were all present at the meeting.
Apologies rec'd from Michelle Mc.ilveen MLA,Kieran Mc.carthy MLA, Cllr Philip Smyth Mr.A.Hamilton, Mrs.R Bowman.

Also present at the meeting were constable R.Rea PSNI, Mr.A.Mc.Cay DPP Manager, Mr.A.Johnson leisure services mgr ABC, Mrs Jude Comiskey, rural enabler programme.
Members of the public were also in attendance.

 Our chairperson spoke about the launch of the new Website for the BDCA and the local community. The winning team from the football tournament held in June were presented with their Trophy and the chronicle photographer was present to record the event.

Our elected representatives each gave a short presentation covering many topics including local school closures, lack of youth facilities in Ballygowan, the funding that is available for youth projects,u3a University of the third age, and going out on patrol with the neighbourhood policing teams.

 Jamie McClelland [Ravara Productions] gave a short presentation pointing out the fact that owing to lack of space at the village hall his group had nowhere locally to rehearse or stage a show.At present Rravara productions are using Granshaw Presbyterian Church halls and halls in Belfast, staging their last show in comber.Jamie was praised for his skills and abilities and is now representing the younger generation on committee. Sean welcomed to the meeting nine young folk from the local community who are also keen to see youth facilities provided in ballygowan.

 Constable Robbie Rea PSNI addressed the meeting and gave us a brief resume of the work he is involved in within the ballygowan area. 

On the evening, lack of provision for youth was the cause of most concern. One mother of a young teenager suggested that one Saturday night in the month be set aside for youth provision in the Village Hall. This idea was well accepted and received backing throughout the room. Jude Comiskey, rural enabler programme told the meeting she was prepared to assist in any way she could.

A local businessman Mr Dennis Porter, and a former youth worker in the village were very much in favour  of a youth facility starting up locally.

Queries to elected representatives included;

Provision at the amenity site
Any update on the medical centre
Provision of a footpath from quarry close along the comber rd
Water on roads Village centre not drained away
Cllr Gibson noted provision of hanging baskets would be a welcome sight.

The Vice Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and invited everyone to stay for refreshments.