Busy year ahead for local twinning group

SIR, — On behalf of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group, I would like to thank everyone who participated in our activities last year.

We are celebrating our first anniversary next Friday, February 8, with a Festival of Celtic Music and Ceilidh Dance at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel in Ballynahinch, starting at 7.30pm.

A group of seven singers and dancers from Vimianzo near Santiago de Compostela in Galicia will be participating in the festival, with the programme commencing with performances from the Kathryn Stewart School of Highland Dance.

Also taking part will be the Murray School of Irish Dance, Upper Crossgare Mini Pipe Band and performances from our young people from Vimianzo in Galicia.  The event will culminate with a Ceilidh dance.

All are welcome with tickets, priced £5, available at Millbrook Lodge reception and the Ballynahinch Centre. A £2 donation from each sold ticket will be given to PIPS which is our designated charity.

Looking further ahead, between March 2 and 5, the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group will be taking a small group of dancers and singers to participate in the Celtic Carnival in Vimianzo, Galicia.

A nature and cultural walk around the picturesque Montalto estate is planned for Saturday, March 16 and the following day which is St Patrick’s Day.

Other events during February and March include a walk football tournament,  five-a-side football tournament cultural heritage talk and a table tennis tournament at the Dan Rice Hall in Drumaness.

Special thanks for financial assistance to Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Sports Northern Ireland’s Everybody Active 2020 Small Grants Programme.

Further information about all our activities is available on Facebook page.

Yours etc,

KAREN PATTERSON,

Rowallane and Slieve Croob 

Twinning Group Treasurer.