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.

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.

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).

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.

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 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.

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.