Huge range of events planned to celebrate Creggan’s 70th birthday

By Ursula Duddy

A Midnight Football League and photographic exhibition are just some of the wide range of events planned over the coming months to celebrate 70th birthday of the Creggan estate.

The programme is being organised by the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership (CNP), who are also appealing to the community to for photographs of the area over the past decade for use in the exhibition.

Speaking to the Derry News, Shauna Nixon, Co-ordinator at Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership, said that they have a packed programme for the area.

“Having engaged with local community groups and residents we have designed a full programme of events which run from September until December 2017,” she said.

“These will include a pampering sleepover in the Corned Beef Tin for local young girls, a Midnight football league and a photographic exhibition capturing Creggan over the past 70 years.

“To ensure the exhibition is a success, we at CNP would like to put a call out for home photographs, if anyone has any photographs of local trips, events or just general photographs of Creggan over the past 70 years we would be very grateful if people would drop them in, we will scan and return them immediately.”

Ms Nixon said that the events will go through to December with a real festive feel: “There will be a full weekend of activities beginning on Thursday, November 30, with the Mayor’s reception for the ‘Unsung heroes of Creggan’.

“The following evening Santa will make his arrival at the Corned beef tin on Friday, December 1, everyone will be welcome to attend and will be encouraged to then move into the local sports hall to snuggle up and watch a family Christmas movie, where you can bring your own blankets and pillows.

“On Saturday, December 2, we will kick off with a Free Big birthday breakfast for everyone. There will be a Christmas cookery demo and craft fair which will be held in the Sports hall and open to everyone, and then on Saturday evening Sean Dolan’s GAA and local residents will keep everyone entertained with a Jigs and Reels social event.

“On Sunday, December 3, the Mayor has kindly extended his annual Tea Dances and will be providing an outreach tea dance in the sports hall where he hopes to meet all local older people.

“The grand finale event will take place on Sunday evening bringing local residents and schools together to showcase their talent; this is a family friendly event.

“St Marys Chapel has also kindly offered to organise a special Mass as part of Creggan’s 70th Birthday celebrations dates have still to be confirmed for this.”

Ms Nixon added: “We hope to get full support from both past and present Creggan residents for these events; however, everyone is welcome to help us celebrate Creggan’s birthday.

“Creggan is a continuously growing, strong and vibrant community and we are excited to bring everyone together through the planned celebrations.”