New community group formed in Model Farm

New community group formed in Model Farm

4 July 2018

A NEW community group has been formed to kickstart the social regeneration of the Model Farm housing estate in Downpatrick.

Formed a number of weeks ago in a direct response to ongoing anti-social behaviour, the Model Farm Community Association is determined to be the voice of the people who live at the estate which has made headlines for the wrong reasons in the past.

Armed with renewed enthusiasm, the Association has exciting plans for the future and is keen to organise its own mini festival and encourage everyone in the estate to get to know their neighbours.

A hugely successful fun day was held last weekend and while the latest in a series of deliberate gorse fires covered the area in a blanket of thick smoke the following day as eight fire crews battle to bring the blaze under control, the new community group is determined to be a success.

It has appealed to parents to warn children about the dangers and potential consequences of starting fires and hopes ownership of the field where a number of whins have been set on fire can be established and the undergrowth removed.

Officials say they want everyone in the estate to move forward together and for everyone’s voice to be heard. They have already made contact with senior citizens in the area and given them contact numbers if they ever need help or assistance.

“The new group was formed in response to anti-social behaviour at this part of the town and we hope we represent a new beginning,” explained association member Sharon Gordon. “We aim to improve the image of the area and for everyone to get to know and work alongside one another.

“We want to galvanise the people across the estate and give them a voice and work on their behalf. There has been negativity in the past and that is something we want to change with the help of others. We want everyone to pull together and come and join us.”

Community group officials say the more voices come on board the louder their message will be heard as they work to shape the future of the estate and secure funding to finance a range of initiatives.

Those behind the group insist that what has happened at the Model Farm over recent years is not a true reflection of the decent and hardworking people who live at this part of the town.

Resident Kyla Hannaway says the new group is “determined to effect change” and intends to take the lead in mapping out a positive future for the area.

“We are grateful to the Housing Executive and other agencies for their support, with the decision to

form a new group signalling our intention to lead from the front. The actions of a select few will not take away from what we are trying to achieve,” she added.

Lyzanne Flynn said the new group wants people to attend its meetings and come forward with their ideas, explaining the group may be able to use the Vincent’s building at the estate for a number of activities.

“We are trying to bring the fun back into the area and were delighted with the success of last Saturday’s fun day and hope we can organise more of these events. We are also hoping to start a new Neighbourhood Watch initiative which we hope will be of some comfort to the estate’s senior citizens and they can feel safe in their homes,” she added.

Agnieszka Swirydenko said the group wants to make the Model Farm area safer for everyone and for people to have pride in where they live.

She added: “The launch of the community group represents a new start. We are disappointed with the recent gorse fires but are determined to move forward together. Our door is open and everyone is welcome. We want this to be a team effort with everyone working towards a shared goal.”

The new community group has launched its own social media and can be accessed at @modelfarmcommunity.