Kindred Spirits group growing ever stronger

The Kindred Spirits club was launched on March 12 this year, for people aged in the region of 50 and over.

Club founder and chairperson Mary Quinn, has been delighted with the response so far.

“We have just over 80 registered members, and on average we have between 45 and 50 attending each Wednesday afternoon from 2-4pm, in the Community Centre Gilford.

“We have a good range of activities on offer such as dance, archery, bowls, table tennis, Boccia, Kurling and Thai Chi.

“We also host various presentations such as old photos of the district, home security and safety measures, ASDA supermarket and story telling.

“The club will be holding the first day trip on Wednesday June 25, when 50 members will visit Stormont and have a meal in the Anglers Rest, Banbridge before returning home. Sidney Anderson, MLA, who has associations with Gilford, has kindly sponsored the visit to the Parliament Building.

“We have had great support from Active Communities in terms of organising activities and providing the professional coaches to take classes.”

The group has members from a number of areas across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon.

It was the owners of the Gilford NISA store, Aidan and Cecilia Maginn, who made the application for funding of £700 for Kindred Spirits from the Making A Difference Locally charity. The charity is one sponsored by the NISA group and is designed to help local non profit making groups that make a real difference to the community and contribute to enhance community life. Kindred Spirits met the criteria and was delighted to receive the funding.

“The money will be used to buy some equipment for the club and will go towards the costs of day trips” said Mary.

“Kindred Spirits management committee and members are grateful to Aidan and Cecilia, and very much appreciate their support for the club.”