All systems go at Downpatrick Men’s Club

All systems go at Downpatrick Men’s Club

8 June 2022

DOWNPATRICK Men’s Club members are easing back into their various programmes after two years of disruption due to Covid.

The lockdown had a major impact on the club’s various activities and with things getting back to normal, it’s all systems go.

One of the key successes of the group as been its yoga classes which are held at the Ballymote Centre above the SuperValu store at the Killough Road. Sessions are held on Wednesday evening’s between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

Club members say that anyone who would like a taster is more than welcome to pop along to find out for themselves what is involved.

Every Tuesday night between 7pm and 8pm there is an exercise class at Downpatrick Presbyterian Church Hall in Fountain Street and for those who are not keen in breaking sweat, a leisurely walk around the town is available.

The Men’s Club has several allotments at the New Model Farm where Downpatrick Community Allotments is based.

Members meet on Saturday mornings from 9.30am and are guided by horticulturalist Stevie Harris and the Men’s Club has its very own beekeepers and aviary which produces some of the most delightful honey you will taste.

Members are positively buzzing about the impact the new bee hives will have and a new beekeepers course will run every Tuesday and Wednesday night this month between 7.30pm and 9.30pm by the Downpatrick Beekeepers’ Association at the RGU’s base at Racecourse Road.

The cost of the sessions is £135 per person and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

There will be a total of eight sessions followed by three practical sessions at the Associations’s apiary located at the Downpatrick community allotments where there are four hives.

Those who sign up for the new course will be provided with useful information about bees which will help them better understand the world of beekeeping, in particular, how to manage bees. Vital practical experience is also provided during the visit to the apiary.

Next course is being run under the auspices of the Ulster Beekeeping Association to which the Downpatrick Association is affiliated, with the course taken by Chris Hodges from Ballyblack Bees.

The introduction to beekeeping course is open to everyone and those interested in taking part must be over 18.

Men’s Club secretary, John Gordon, said members are delighted that normal service has been resumed.

“We are effectively back in full swing,” he said.  “It’s great to run classes again and we are aware of the need to be sensible in terms of keeping people as safe as possible. We are being sensible with the activities we run and that is important.”

John explained that lockdown restrictions curtailed the group’s walking trip to Castleward and Tollymore and Castlewellan forest parks and he hopes that these can resume at some point in the future.

“The emphasis is on men coming together to enjoy a range of activities and having some fun,” John explained. “We are delighted to be back and if any men out there want to join us they will be more than welcome.

“The various activities we organise are about inter-action and it is also great having the allotments. We make hanging baskets and plant vegetables and there is great camaraderie among us all.”

Anyone interested in joining the Downpatrick Beekeepers’ Association’s course at the RGU is asked to contact Seamus Gilmore on 07719 731913 to book a place, while for information about dedicated Men’s Club activities contact secretary John Gordon on 07885 439873.