Ballynafest - an Open Ormeau project

Ballynafest, a Bank of Ideas project from voluntary community group, Open Ormeau was held the first saturday of september in Ormeau Park.  It was a free, family friendly fun day running for the fourth year. The first two years the event was held on the grounds of Choice Housing on Ormeau road, though numbers and access were limited through a combination of covid restrictions and the venue’s capacity. Then in 2023, it was held in Ormeau Park.

Kathryn said: After the event everyone was saying ‘Let’s keep going with this every year in the park’. It was heartening hearing so many people and talking about it around the area. Towards the end of the summer people were asking if the festival was returning because they had enjoyed it so much.”

One of the Open Ormeau members, Kerry heard about the Bank of Ideas from previous involvement with the Move More Eat Well participatory budgeting process, for which Open Ormeau was successful. The group already had some funding to run Ballynafest through the council, but the Bank of Ideas funding would allow them to make it bigger and better in Ormeau Park.

The group had a very visual approach to the stall on the voting day with lots of photos, and decorations. They put out lots of fresh fruit for a children’s fruit kebab-making activity.

“We noticed people were revisiting the stall so we got the impression we would have a lot of voter support, but we were still apprehensive because there were so many worthy causes and we wondered, do we deserve this? But we really put the work in to communicate the idea and overall, the experience was really positive.”

Kathryn said “It was a proud moment when we got the funding and we felt part of Belfast 2024, and all the creative momentum in Belfast this year. It was very special and awe-inspiring on the day - there were so many amazing ideas.”

This year the group had a lot of increased interest and involvement from charities like South Belfast food bank, Cancer Focus, Belfast HIlls Partnership and Fifth Element. Previously they had focused on younger children and their parents, but this year they wanted to provide something for the older groups too so they had break dancing for the teenagers, and tea dances for older people. They also had a sensory play area for children. 

“People were overwhelmingly positive about the whole thing,” said Kathryn.” it was a massive ‘wow!” A few people didn’t even know about the event beforehand but just happened upon it in the park, and said it was so lovely for the community to come together like this and many began to follow us on social media so as not to miss out on future events.

Kathryn said the Bank of Ideas experience allowed her to see how much creativity there is in the city, and how many people want to step up and engage, if only there’s the opportunity and a little bit of funding.

Ballynafest, a Bank of Ideas project from voluntary community group, Open Ormeau was held the first saturday of september in Ormeau Park.  It was a free, family friendly fun day running for the fourth year. The first two years the event was held on the grounds of Choice Housing on Ormeau road, though numbers and access were limited through a combination of covid restrictions and the venue’s capacity. Then in 2023, it was held in Ormeau Park.

Kathryn said: After the event everyone was saying ‘Let’s keep going with this every year in the park’. It was heartening hearing so many people and talking about it around the area. Towards the end of the summer people were asking if the festival was returning because they had enjoyed it so much.”

One of the Open Ormeau members, Kerry heard about the Bank of Ideas from previous involvement with the Move More Eat Well participatory budgeting process, for which Open Ormeau was successful. The group already had some funding to run Ballynafest through the council, but the Bank of Ideas funding would allow them to make it bigger and better in Ormeau Park.

The group had a very visual approach to the stall on the voting day with lots of photos, and decorations. They put out lots of fresh fruit for a children’s fruit kebab-making activity.

“We noticed people were revisiting the stall so we got the impression we would have a lot of voter support, but we were still apprehensive because there were so many worthy causes and we wondered, do we deserve this? But we really put the work in to communicate the idea and overall, the experience was really positive.”

Kathryn said “It was a proud moment when we got the funding and we felt part of Belfast 2024, and all the creative momentum in Belfast this year. It was very special and awe-inspiring on the day - there were so many amazing ideas.”

This year the group had a lot of increased interest and involvement from charities like South Belfast food bank, Cancer Focus, Belfast HIlls Partnership and Fifth Element. Previously they had focused on younger children and their parents, but this year they wanted to provide something for the older groups too so they had break dancing for the teenagers, and tea dances for older people. They also had a sensory play area for children. 

“People were overwhelmingly positive about the whole thing,” said Kathryn.” it was a massive ‘wow!” A few people didn’t even know about the event beforehand but just happened upon it in the park, and said it was so lovely for the community to come together like this and many began to follow us on social media so as not to miss out on future events.

Kathryn said the Bank of Ideas experience allowed her to see how much creativity there is in the city, and how many people want to step up and engage, if only there’s the opportunity and a little bit of funding.