Fun in the park at community picnic

Fun in the park at community picnic

5 June 2024

FAMILIES enjoyed a fun-day out at a community picnic at Newcastle’s Castle Park last Saturday which saw the reopening of one of the town’s most loved attractions.

The event marked the return of the Mourne Eye and Dizzylands Carousel as well as plenty of other fun activities.

Children were able to enjoy face painting, big bubbles, sand art and crazy golf with their families and the Pedalo swans.

The Picnic in Castle Park event was organised by Newcastle community charity Unit T and supported by a number of Housing Associations including Ark, Radius, Clanmill and Arbour through their shared housing developments in the resort.

The shared housing programme is supported by the Department for Communities and Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ programme.

The programme is part of the Northern Ireland Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.

Approximately £6.6m is being invested from the four housing developments across the entire area of Newcastle and associated five-year Good Relations Plans scheme.

Radius, Ark, Arbour and Clanmill Housing Associations continue to work in partnership with the local advisory 

group stakeholders and with residents to develop this scheme and bridge communities together.

Ark Housing community investment manager, Kelly Foster, said the four Housing Associations were delighted to partner with Unit T for the community event. 

“It was a great day interacting with all the participants attending,” she said.

“A lot of fun was had on the day, but it delighted to hear about the connections made and the event demonstrated the great sense of the community spirit within Newcastle”

Unit T are also hosting a litter pick at Castle Park this Friday from 10am to noon as part of the “Big Help Out” weekend.

In addition,  Asda Community Champions from across the province are participating and members of the community are encourage to come along to help with the tidy up and make a positive difference to their town.

Linda Owen, community champion at the Downpatrick Asda store, said she and her colleagues thoroughly enjoy joining forces every year in support of the “Big Help Out” when community spirit is involved.

“We can get a lot done in a short space of time,” she added.