DVCA

DOAGH VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION SENIOR CITIZENS’ CHRISTMAS DINNER AND SOCIAL

Doagh Village Community Association’s annual Senior Citizens’ Christmas Dinner and Social took place on Saturday, 10 December in the Torrens Memorial Hall in Doagh.

This year there was a record turnout of guests who all enjoyed a splendid four course Christmas Dinner with all of the usual festive trimmings. This was followed by entertainment provided by well-loved Co Antrim accordionists, Kenny Mitchell and Amanda Robinson.

The session finished with a Christmas raffle for 30 locally donated prizes, including 2 fabulous food hampers. Santa then distributed a gift to each household represented at the event.

The Senior Citizens’ Dinner and Social is one of the most important events in the DVCA calendar. The chairman of the Association, Leith Burgess, explained:  “Apart from sitting around a table sharing a meal together, the event provided a much needed opportunity for villagers to meet and to laugh and chat together. In these days of greater financial restrictions and with the fast approaching winter weather it’s important that people don’t feel lonely and isolated and that they have a chance to enjoy the fellowship and let off a wee bit of steam together!”

UUP MLA. Danny Kinahan and local Newtownabbey Councillor, Jim Bingham joined the villagers and provided much needed help in ensuring that everyone received their piping hot meal and then spent much of their time behind the scenes washing and drying the huge mountain of dirty dishes. Their help and support was greatly appreciated by all of those who organised and attended the event.

“We would also like to convey our appreciation to Newtownabbey Borough Council for its practical support, the management of the Torrens Hall for allowing us use of their premises and for the entertainment provided by Kenny Mitchell and Amanda Robinson.” added the DVCA chairman.

Santa Claus visited the village of Doagh on Thursday 24 November 2011 to help with the switching on of the Christmas Tree lights. The job was done, and Santa distributed his presents to the young people gathered around the tree but in the miiddle of the commuunity Christmas Carol singing te heavens opened!

However the torrential rain didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the large crowd who attended the ceremony. Newtownabbey Borough Council's platform party, especially the two clergymen and the Deputy Mayor pressed on regardless and the lights were swwitched on by two local children. The Carol singing was led by some Chior members from St Bride's Parish Church and their organist, Mark. Seasonal music was provided by a willing band of musicians. The short service, celebrating the Gift of Christmas, combined with Santa's visit and the singing madee the occasion a memorable occasion. This is the first time that the light switching on ceremony had taken place at night. It was by far the largest turnout with a marked increase in thhe number of men attending, who would otherwise have been at work during the daytime switching on ceremonies of the past. All in all it was a real "Family Affair".

Because of the bad weather the next part of the proceedings was transferred to the Torrens Hall. The two village Chip Shops, Cornerstone Cafe and Cafe Thornton, delivered warming portions of chips to the families who had gathered there and Doagh Village Community Association provided seasonal Mulled Wine and soft drinks. All of this was just what was required to warm up the drookit, shivering villagers.

The event was really well received by those villagers who managed to attend the proceedings. The overwhelming feedback would indicate that the evening "Switch On" combined with the supper afterwards was a positive way forward that should be repeated in future years. It was originally planned that the Mulled Wine and chips would be served in the square, but "Plan 2" had to be put in operation and proceedings were transferred to the Torrens Hall because of the heavy rain.

The public were invited to visit the new hall at Church of the Sacred Heart in Ballyclare on Saturday 5 November 2011.

The opening of the hall was part of the centenary celebrations of the present church which was dedicated by Bishop Tohill on 11 June 1911.

The church in Ballyclare dates back to the 18th Century and in 1832 Bishop Crolly built new churches in Greencastle and Ballyclare in 1832. This church in Ballyclare eventually became unable to cope with demand and plans were made to re-build a larger church. Father Marmion oversaw the construction of what is now present day church. It was rennovated again in 2002.

The New Hall , the Church and the Parochial House now blend together superbly to form a truly beautiful and comfortable spiritual and family base for the local congregation.