Big-hearted Killyleagh aids charities

Big-hearted Killyleagh aids charities

7 January 2015

THE 2014 Hans Sloane 350 Chocolate and Fine Food Festival has raised £35,000 for local charities. The fourth annual festival was held last September at the town’s historic castle.

At the weekend a cheque was handed over to Gillian Creevy, chief executive officer of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

A marquee was the focal point for the weekend festival celebrating the life and legacy of Sir Hans Sloane, who was educated in Killyleagh before becoming an eminent physician and doctor to Queen Ann, George I and George II.

He was also founder of the British Museum after bequeathing his worldwide collections to the state.

The festival, which was sponsored by Finnebrogue Foods, included a host of events for visitors including extensive children’s entertainment such as a circus tent, balloon modelling and a chocolate chip cookie competition.

There were also food demonstrations by chefs from leading local restaurants, who have been asked to incorporate chocolate into their festival recipes.

Last Saturday night, the festival organising committee gathered to hand over the cheque to the Cancer Fund for Children and celebrate the success of the event.

Saturday’s gathering also marked the contribution to the Hans Sloane 350 organisation of Professor Bob Elwood who has retired from 

Queen’s University and is leaving Killyleagh shortly to return to Britain.