Anniversary celebrations for residents

Anniversary celebrations for residents

19 September 2012

THE first in a number of events to celebrate a Downpatrick housing estate’s 60th birthday takes place this Friday night.

The Ardmeen Green estate was constructed in 1952 and is comprised of what’s known locally as the bottom, middle and top greens.

A committee was established to oversee a number of anniversary events — which include the publication of a commemorative book — with the first this Friday evening when an inscribed granite boulder will be officially

unveiled at a special ceremony.

Mr. Colum Vaughan, who is heavily involved in the anniversary celebrations, said the boulder will be placed in the middle green close to the existing post box.

He praised the efforts of the Housing Executive in helping the provide the boulder to commemorate what he described as a “unique anniversary.”

Friday’s night festivities start at 6pm, with a fancy dress parade due to leave Connolly’s shop in Edward Street and make its way to the first green before heading to the top green and back to the middle green for the unveiling ceremony.

“There will also be an open air disco, with music spanning six decades to coincide with the 60th anniversary celebrations,” explained Colm.

“Four local children will be chosen to unveil the granite boulder and we also hope that some of the estate’s senior citizens will take part in Friday night’s event.”

Mr. Vaughan says he hopes as many residents as possible will attend the unveiling ceremony to mark 60 years of one of Downpatrick’s largest housing estates.

He added: “We hope that people who used to live in Ardmeen Green but who have moved away will take part in Friday night’s ceremony. It would be fantastic if former residents could attend as it would certainly add to the sense of occasion.

“The committee working on the anniversary celebration is trying to find the first baby born at the estate and we think we have made significant progress in this issue.”

The proposed anniversary publication, which it’s hoped will be available by Christmas, will feature photographs and articles highlighting the many people who have lived at Ardmeen Green and events there over the years.

It is hoped the new publication will in effect provide a social history of the 104-house estate and recall its many characters.