Supporting Communities was delighted to attend the event. Pictured here are Jillian Nelson (SC Boardroom Apprentice), Sarah Harkness-Robinson (our CDO for the area), Billy Sproule (WWDA), and Linda Watson (Vice Chair of SC).

The West Winds Development Association (WWDA) celebrated their estate’s 50th anniversary last weekend by launching a new mural and hosting a fun day for all the residents.

Billy Sproule, Chairperson of the WWDA, explained that Covid restrictions prevented the group from celebrating in 2020. “We were delighted to run a series of community events to finally mark the occasion this year, alongside 50th anniversary celebrations for both the Scrabo Presbyterian Church and West Winds Primary School,” he said.

Mayor Douglas and Billy Sproule fending off the rain to celebrate!

The new mural, ‘West Winds Through the Decades,’ was developed in consultation with area residents. It depicts the journey of the West Winds estate and the people within it from when the Housing Executive broke ground in 1969. The Housing Executive-funded mural was officially opened on Saturday, 3 September, by the mayor, Councillor Karen Douglas.

Over a cup of tea and birthday cake, the mayor was also able to view a joint history project developed in partnership by the WWDA, Scrabo Presbyterian Church and West Winds Primary School. The series of information panels share the estate’s history and each organisation’s development thanks to funding from Ards & North Down Borough Council’s Good Relations team.

Despite the rain, a community fun day held on the grounds of West Winds Primary School went ahead. Members of the PSNI’s Neighbourhood policing team played a football match against children from the estate. Officers from the PSNI’s Armed Response Unit (including a motorcycle officer!) were also in attendance, along with the army, providing some exciting activities for young and old.

This event resulted from many volunteers and organisations working together for many months.

Billy Sproule commented, “I would like to thank everyone who helped to make the day such a great success, especially the mayor, local councillors and MLAs who joined us. The day could not have happened without the support of the WWDA committee and our Interagency partners, including the Housing Executive, Council, PSNI, West Winds Primary School, Scrabo Presbyterian Church, West Winds Community Church, Little Doves, Ards Sure Start, People 1st, and Supporting Communities.

DFC’s Small Pockets of Deprivation (SPOD) funding and Ards & North Down Borough Council’s Community Festival Fund supported the event.