DVCA

DOAGH VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION held its annual St Patrick’s Social and Irish Stew Night in the Torrens Memorial Hall in Doagh on Saturday evening. Irish Dancing was provided by the 7 Towers School of Irish Dancing representatives, Tracey Montgomery and Sarah Mulligan, and a demonstration of gymnastic dancing and movement given by Girls Brigade member, Katie Andrew. Music was provided by local singer, Philip Stronge.

A good turnout of local people were also treated to a bowl of hot “Irish Stew” followed by Apple Tart and Cream.

The Association Chairman, Leith Burgess, thanked all who turned out for this annual event but he especially welcomed the participation of the families with young children who attended. He pointed out that these young families were Doagh’s future generation and it was good to see them becoming involved in the village’s activities. Doagh was fast becoming a “dormitory community” with many of the growing number of families failing to actively engage in the community life of the village. He explained that the present members of the DVCA were long past their youth and so were in danger of losing touch with the aspirations and needs of their younger neighbours. He would welcome hearing the views and opinions of this section of the community and he invited anyone interested to attend one of the monthly DVCA meetings to express their views and hopefully become more actively involved in community life. This would help inform the committee as they begin to plan their programme for the coming year to ensure that it can make provision for everyone.

He also reminded people of events organised for the next two months. The annual Variety Concert was being held in Doagh Primary School on Tuesday, 12 April at 7.30 pm. The Senior Citizens’ Outing on Wednesday, 18 May will begin with a guided Tour of Stormont followed by a visit to Bangor. As places for the trip were usually quickly taken up Leith advised any Senior Citizen wishing to participate to contact Alice Andrew or any of the DVCA Committee members to secure a seat.

Leith also announced that DVCA were considering organising a Computer Course for the over 50s. He asked if anyone over 50, interested in attending a "Silver Surfers" computer course submit their names to Alice or to any of the committee, If there was sufficient interest then a course would be set up in the village next autumn.