The Commons

You have arrived at The Commons blog – a place to share the journey

  • Launch Day

    Launch Day

    Were you there? Sunday 27th April 2025? It seemed like the world was there and we were so happy for that. It’s hard to pinpoint highlights as there were so many of them. It didn’t really rain – that was a highlight.

    As the gazebos went up early on the morning and the Tiny Tea Tuk Tuk was manoeuvred expertly into position, passersby began to show an interest and invitations were called out to them from our happy team of volunteers.

    Tiny Tea Tuk Tuk

    Word of mouth, invites to neighbours, strangers and friends and great social media presence. All these things led to more than 500 local people wending their way through the gates and into The Commons.

    A warm welcome from Mia and Katy

    The Sri Lankan street rolls were hugely popular and Jill and the team served them with a smile despite the frustrations of a blown fuse in the brand new coffee machine. Now that the fuse is fixed, you can find them serving drinks and rolls on a Friday from the boldly blue tuk tuk at the front of the building (check socials before you call down).

    Jill and Tally at the TukTuk with the famous Sri Lankan street rolls.

    Young and old alike were able to sit down and enjoy a game of chess or snakes and ladders and new friendships were formed across those chequered boards.

    A zoo of painted faces emerged squealing with delight from the kids area and the roving magician impressed anyone who had a minute with his slight of hand.

    How did he do that?

    Our friends from the Sew-cial Circle were there along with Source Grow and the Knockbreda Community and Wildlife garden. Did you plant a sunflower that day? How big is it now?

    The Sew-cial Circle’s projects

    The Ormeau Community Ukes, The Ormeau Community Choir, John Waterworth, Daniel McGouran, Karen Teeney and Ellen Weir all provided top class musical performances that created such a wonderful backdrop to the whole event which spilled out onto the street.

    Ormeau Community Choir
    Karen Teeney and Ellen Weir
    Daniel McGouran

    Inside the building, volunteers shared the story and vision of The Commons with enthusiasm. Many visitors told us stories of getting married in the building or attending the church as children and young people and they were delighted to have a peek inside and have lots of memories come flooding back.

    One of the most exciting parts of the day was the Suggestions Box. So many creative ideas were dropped in and they have all been safely kept. Watch this space because your idea may come to life some day.

    We certainly felt that the vision of The Commons began to come to life on Launch Day. And that’s because so many of you, our friends and neighbours from the local community, came to catch that vision and become part of it.

  • Behind those doors

    You can be forgiven for thinking that there is a lot of finger drumming going on while we wait for the final go ahead for work to start in the building. But the truth is far from that. Here are just some of the wonderful people who are keeping the building alive with a variety of community activities throughout each month.

    Ormeau Community Choir has had its home in The Commons since 2017. On a Monday morning the joyful sound of over 100 voices, led by Una, beautifully permeates the building, creating warm hearts in everyone, singer and listener alike. The choir reach out and perform in concerts far and wide throughout the year. 

    By Monday afternoon, the harmonies have been replaced by Ormeau Ukuleles and Maggie takes the lead in this uptempo, fun group which has grown from half a dozen members to 50 plus over the last few years. They also take their music out of The Commons, choosing to play in mostly community and charity events.

    Tuesday is bowls. This group was formed many years ago and has members from the Ballynafeigh congregation and the local community.

    On Thursday, the main hall is transformed, tables are laid and Jill is busy cooking in the kitchen for the weekly community meal. Her creativity and resourcefulness ensures around 100 meals are served each week with local volunteer groups from the Methodist congregations, other churches and the community choir helping to serve and clear up again at the end of the evening. It’s a wonderful event that brings together local residents, families, people on their own, young and older in an embracing hour of sharing of hearts and lives.

    Also on a Thursday, Una and Anne lead a children’s choir with local young people coming together to sing and have fun and most recently they had the amazing opportunity to perform with the Ulster Orchestra.

    After all the busyness of the week, what could be better than to come along on a Friday morning and stretch out all those tired muscles in John’s Pilates class.

    From time to time, Dominic and the Ormeau Community Cinema, use the sanctuary to host showings of contemporary, relevant and meaningful movies. Dominic also has a passion for bringing people together to play board games, building friendships and community in a very relaxed, fun way. Keep your eyes peeled for more news on this as the building work progresses.

    As well as being part of the community meal team on a Thursday, Pauline also hosts a Sew-cial Circle in The Commons. On the first Saturday of each month the sounds of knitting needles and sewing machines, story telling and laughter combine as members gather. More often than not Pauline has a creative project for us. The biggest of these has been the sewing and stuffing of over 600 Hearts for the Community which have been posted through the doors of our neighbours in the streets around The Commons. These pretty hearts are invitations to the community meal on Thursdays. 

    The Commons is also home to the TOV community. This is a community of local Christians living out their faith through rhythms of prayer and hospitality. David, Jill and Karen are part of this group and will strengthen this act of hospitality as they eventually live in The Commons as community hosts.

    Other regular events are happening in this community space already from youth groups to newcomer welcome lunches, women’s groups and recovery support groups. There are so many opportunities to gather with others from the local community and find a sense of connection. Some of these events will relocate temporarily during the refurbishment, so listen out for more information about those moves when the time comes.

    As you can see, there is no finger-drumming, no thumb-twiddling and no watching the pot. The Commons is already full of vibrant activity and people with heaps of passion and more plans for creative, inclusive projects reaching into the local Ormeau Community as the refurbishment continues. 

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