TWO leading groups in Saintfield have merged to work to deliver more for the town.
The town’s Development Association and Community Trust have joined forces to form the new Saintfield Community Association.
Over the past number of years, the Development Association has played a key role in a number projects and improvements in the town, of which the new Belfast Road community centre is a prime example.
Over the years, the Association maintained a good relationship with Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Rowallane councillors, as well as lobbying both the local authority and statutory bodies to ensure that Saintfield’s voice is heard.
Set up five years ago, the Saintfield Community Trust manages the community centre on behalf of the local council and the two organisations have maintained a very close relationship.
The recent merger of the Development Association and Community Trust was facilitated by Andrew Talbot of Collaboration Ireland.
The two boards and their respective committees worked through the necessary administrative formalities over the past few months, resulting in unanimous agreement to merge.has
Those involved with both groups believe that formally merging will create a stronger community association, able to deliver more for local residents.
With the necessary legal input provided at no charge by local solicitor Peter Bowles, the merger was formally completed successfully on October 24.
Martyn Todd, who has been at the helm of the Development Association for the past two years, said the organisation was formed a decade ago, with the Community Trust formed in 2017.
“Since then, the two organisations have cooperated very closely and are currently working on a number of major projects together, so it made sense for the two to merge into one community group,” he added.
Community Trust chairman, Graham Erskine, is also pleased that the merger of both organisations has been successfully completed.
He added: “The two organisations have worked tirelessly for the residents of Saintfield and I am sure we will now be even more effective under the new Saintfield Community Association banner. Responsibility for running the Saintfield Community Centre now passes over to new Community Association.
Mr Todd and Mr Erskine will jointly chair the new association until the annual general meeting, the date of which will be announced shortly.