Garden party in Ballynahinch for leading charities

Garden party in Ballynahinch for leading charities

6 September 2023

A GARDEN party at the home of Violet and Hugh Hawthorne at the Old Belfast Road in Ballynahinch  on Saturday raised £1,000 for two leading charities.

The money was evenly split between the Royal Society for Blind Children and Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.

Members of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group were delighted to provide practical catering support to Violet and Hugh, both of whom are group members.

Earlier this year, the twinning group raised £200 for Air Ambulance NI during the launch of its Arts and Culture video in the Grove Hall at Edengrove Church in Ballynahinch. The total was boosted to £700 following an auction and raffle.

Superb weather guaranteed an entertaining, relaxing afternoon last Saturday for the annual garden party, enjoyed by everyone who viewed the beautiful garden in the sunshine on what was the couple’s 25th anniversary event.

Violet and Hugh would like to thank everyone for their generosity, in particular Ballynahinch Credit Union, JJ Donnelly’s Menswear, The Cake Shop, Hannawin’s Medical Hall, Watson’s Flowers and Gifts, Holly’s Coffee Co, Stewart and Gibson, Morrow’s Outfitters, Ballynahinch Building Supplies, The Hinch Brewery, Autogrid, Temple, Hannah and Watson and Kitchen Master, Carryduff. 

The couple are also grateful to Gerard Walsh who acted as MC at the garden party and provided guitar melodies, piper Sammy Gill, singers Brian Megoran and Raymond Sherlock and Richard Wallace for bringing along Dennis the donkey.

Trevor Bland exhibited a selection of hand-crafted articles from Saintfield’s Men’s Shed.

The Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Group’s next event takes place this Sunday, September 10, when the banqueting hall at the Carriage Rooms at Montalto Estate hosts a summer concert.

Music will be provided by the Sepon String Quartet and Ballylone Concert Flute Band from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, with light refreshments will be provided at 3.15pm. 

Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Karen Patterson on via email kmlpatterson@btinternet.com or text 07979 304479.