Packed programme of events at this year’s Arches Festival

Many groups and individuals have worked hard to organise the Arches Festival for the benefit of the whole community.

The varied programme has many new events and attractions and all have been arranged at as little cost to the community as possible, and for that organisers are indebted to sponsors and advertisers whose support is very much appreciated as always.

Randalstown ARCHES Festival Committee wishes to thank the sponsors of their Community Festival: Community Festivals Fund, Antrim Borough Council Summer Events Programme; Enkalon Foundation; all advertisers and sponsors of individual events; and everyone who has given time and effort to organise events or contributed in any way to the success of the Festival.

What’s on and when

Friday, June 14

Céilí at the Parish Centre at 8pm. Admission is £5 per adult and £3 per child. Proceeds are in aid of Trócaire.

Duneane Primary School Fun Night from 6.30pm to 8.30 pm. The Duneane PTA are organising their annual Fun Night at the school. You are sure to receive a warm welcome and everyone can enjoy good food, games, and tombola, face-painting, nail-art, bouncy castle and assault course, pony rides and much, much more.

Saturday, June 15

Mini & Youth Rugby Sessions at the Rugby Club Neillsbrook at 10am. The Mini & Youth Section of Randalstown Rugby Club is offering all children aged between 5 and 18 an opportunity to “have a go”. Training shoes are required. This is an introduction to the skills of the game of rugby at a club whose fortunes at every age level are improving year on year. Qualified coaches will be there to instruct and to ensure safety and more importantly enjoyment at this event.

Festival Gymkhana at Dunmore Park at 8pm. Trophies and/or cups are available for all classes and organisers are extremely grateful for all existing and new sponsors. Trophies have been donated by O’Connor, Kennedy, Turtle Chartered Surveyors; Northern Bank; Hugh McManus & Sons; McGroggan Ice Cream; Connell Hill Riding Centre; R.J. Cunningham; Flogas; E.D. Ingram; Samuel Getty; Mulholland Motors; IB Freight; McKeown Jewellers; Paul & Avril Glass; William Burns; Brian Kerr; Top of the Town Bar; Stewarts Property Sales; Sam McAteer; McCavanagh Timber Frame Homes; Sharon Graham Opticians; McKenzie Removals; Old Bleach; Mountview Equestrian Centre; Ross Lodge Saddlery; R. Colvin & Sons; Robin Rainey & Sons; H.H. Graham & Sons (Bellaghy). All Enquiries to George Graham on 077 1007 9382.

Saturday, June 15

Fold Coffee Morning and Bric-a-Brac Sale at the Scout Hall at 10am. Neillsbrook and Maine Folds are running this coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer. Proceeds from the bric-a-brac sale will go to the Folds. Call in for a coffee or tea and some craic!

Youth Football Tournament at Neillsbrook All-weather Pitches at 10am (prize giving at 11am). Neillsbrook Cross Community Soccer School will be holding a mini football tournament in Neillsbrook. Everyone is welcome to come along and support the local children. The Soccer School holds training on a

Tuesday night from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for 6-12 year olds in Neillsbrook Community Centre. All children welcome to attend. If you would like to have more information on the group call in and speak to the leaders any Tuesday evening. This event has been sponsored by Cllr. Roderick Swann.

Football – Randalstown Old Boys v Randalstown Youth Select at Neillsbrook Playing Fields at 6.45pm. This charity match is being played in honour of the late William Beggs with all proceeds are going to the Macmillan Care Unit at Antrim Area Hospital. The winners will be presented with the William Beggs Memorial Cup, kindly donated by Starlitevideos. For further information or if you would like to take part in the match contact Alan on 07709111492.

Sunday, June 16

Songs of Praise at St MacNissi’s Church at 7pm. Everyone is guaranteed a warm welcome.

Monday, June 17

Film Show at ARCHES Community Hall Start time at 7.30pm. Antrim Borough Council’s good relations team will be presenting a topical, thought provoking film in ARCHES hall. Admission is FREE, and further details will be available on posters or www.randalstownarches.com

Family Fun Cycle at Shane’s Castle Estate (meet inside Grand Entrance). Start time: 7pm. Cost £2 per rider (to include supper). This popular event is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities as all can ride at their own pace. The ride will start from within the Grand Entrance and will follow a designated route through Shane’s Castle Estate. There will be a refreshment stop in the Estate at the farmyard. You will then travel back to the Grand Entrance and make your way to the Community Centre Car Park where supper will be provided. Free raffle for all participants for a pair of quality sunglasses donated by Convery Opticians. The event has been supported by New Street Garages.

YFC Tug of War at Neillsbrook (starts after cycle run). Randalstown Young Farmers are holding their annual tug-of-war competition at Randalstown Community Centre. They are inviting teams from local businesses and organisations to take part, six people per team. This year there will be a category for Young Farmers Clubs and a ‘just-for-fun’ category which will be open to all male, all female or mixed teams. Entry is free. Entry forms available from ARCHES office or www.randalstownarches.com

Climbing Wall at Neillsbrook at 7.30pm. This is back by popular demand for the festival of local charity ‘Eye feel Good’.

Tuesday, June 18

Invitation Pairs Bowling Competition at Drummaul Church Hall at 6.30pm. Entries welcome from local clubs via Club Secretaries (who have entry forms) with fee to John D Logan, 65 Ahoghill Road, Randalstown, BT41 3DG before Friday, June 14. Entry fee of £5 to be included with entry form. Winners will hold the Northern Bank Perpetual Challenge Cup for one year. Proceeds go to Tabiro Scouts in Uganda. The event has been sponsored by Trevor Clarke, MLA.

Walking Treasure Hunt, leaves from Scout Hall at 6.30pm/7pm. The Scout Group is again organising this popular event which will take you around the town following a list of clues, some easy, some not so easy. Charge: Adults £2, children £1. Light refreshments and presentation of prizes afterwards in the Scout Hall.

Senior Citizens’ Mystery Tour. Bus departs from the Library at 12noon and returns approximately 6.30 pm. Tickets must be bought prior to the toru and are on sale at £5 from McManus Hardware and the Post Office. This event has been sponsored by Paul Girvan MLA, Randalstown Health Centre & McCleans Bookmakers .

Wednesday, June 19

Pensioners’ Day at Pickens Bar from 1pm to 5pm. Free soup and sandwiches for senior citizens. Entertainment provided.

Festival Quiz at O’Kanes Bar at 8pm. Come and try out your general knowledge at O’Kanes annual Festival Quiz!

Card making drop-in workshop at ARCHES community Hall Time from 10am to 4pm. Leading card maker and ARCHES Tutor Joy Ferguson will be on hand to demonstrate and help you design and make your own greeting cards. Each card pack will cost just £1 with all monies going to Super Stars Club Cookstown. All ages and abilities are welcome to come and join in the workshop. For more information contact Hannah in ARCHES office on 02894478471.

Duck Race at 7.30pm. Ducks cost £1 and will be on sale in the town.

And also on the Wednesday evening in New Street: It’s a Knockout; The Rodeo Bull is back in town so why not come along and see how long you can last? There will also be the train, mini bikes, archery and many more exciting things to do. There will also be a bagpipe competition with 10 of the top pipers from across Ireland invited to compete at this new, special event. There will also be a variety of stalls and sideshows including McMullan’s Mobile Farm, Mini Bikes, Grange Community Group Cake Stall, Pelt the Prisoner in the Stocks, Archery, ARCHES Dance Co. Demonstration, ‘Speed Shot’ – ball kicking.

Thursday, June 20

Randalstown Teddy Bears Walk at St MacNissi’s Parish Centre. St MacNissis’ Playgroup have invited local playgroups and nursery/reception classes to join them with their teddy bears for a short walk. They will then return to the Parish Centre where they will be entertained by top children’s entertainer ‘Jo Jingles’ before being provided with refreshments. The event has been sponsored by Country Treasures Daycare.

Randalstown Schools Games at Neillsbrook All-Weather Pitches. In conjunction with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councils Active Communities team a day of exciting games for senior pupils from local primary schools has been organised.

Golf Tournament at Allen Park. Tee Off 2.30pm to 4pm. Cost: £100 per fourball (to include meal). Entry forms from Moore Blair, c/o Blair and Boyd, must be returned with entry fee before Friday, June 14. The event has been sponsored by the Kandy Shop.

WI Floral Art Demonstration at Neillsbrook Community Centre Start time at 7.30pm. Demonstration by Ross McGookin Proceeds in aid of The Simon Community and ACWW Water project in Cameroon. Tickets £5 (including refreshments) available from WI members.

Friday, June 21

Wine Tasting at ARCHES Community Hall; Festival Line Dance Disco Neilsbrook Community Centre; Deal or No Deal Pickens Bar; Clay pigeon shoot at 24 Mucklerammer Road.

Saturday, June 22

Grand Finale Parade starts at Grand Entrance to Shane’s Castle with Pony Club & Riders, Vintage Tractors, North Irish Dragoons, Fancy Dress, Classic Cars, and floats. There will also be live music with ‘Keep ‘er lit’ Pickens Bar and karaoke with Raymond Letters in O’Kanes Bar.

Sunday, June 23

Black Bull Beer Festival, Black Bull Inn.

All Week: Fishing, Odd Man Out, Craigmore Fishery, World of Owls (one child free for every paying adult), Fireside Quizzes, Arts Exhibition (art/crafts/poetry) McManus and Arches Lane, Needlecraft Exhibition Randalstown Pharmacy window, Festival Photographic Competition (entry forms from ARCHES).

Details of all events and further updates can also be found at www.randalstownarches.com/festival-events