Full house for Mayor’s Féile Tea Party in Creggan!

DEEDS were delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor Darren Guy to the Feile Tea Party to celebrate the festival on Wednesday last at Bishop’s Field Centre in Creggan.

Feile 2024 is Derry’s biggest community arts festival and celebrated its 32nd year last week when featuring over 120 events across the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, Bishops Street and Fountain neighbourhoods as well as the city centre.

IN PICTURES: Féile Derry - Mayor’s First Tea Party in Creggan!

All in attendance at last week’s event were treated to amazing cakes and sandwiches from The Cabin and then danced and enjoyed the music from Dougie Breslin. A huge thanks to Dessie Lynch and all the staff at Fairytale Wedding Cars, Derry for their recent generous donation which will be partly spent on the event.

The Tea Dances are a staple of the city and district’s Mayor’s year of office with many running in the Millennium Forum and are an opportunity for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to meet members of the public and enjoy a chat and dance over a cup of tea or coffee and a sweet treat.

"It is great to see the Tea Dances on tour to different areas including the rural areas such as Park and Eglinton," Commented Sinead Devine DEEDS Co-ordinator.

"This is a wonderful chance for our members to meet the Deputy Mayor and have a chat today," she added.

"It is important that our members have opportunities to participate in Festivals as well and join in community events like this. Being a part of DEEDS has enabled people living with dementia to connect to their community with other services and occasions such as cinema days in partnership with Foyle Film Festival, to our local parks in partnership with St Columb’s Park House and to museums in partnership with the Tower Museum,” explained Sabrina Lynch, Project Co-ordinator at the Old Library Trust where DEEDS is based.

"All of this helps add to creating a dementia friendly city and district. Most of us who wish to do these things can go online and book without difficulty but having dementia means this is more challenging for them and their families to access," she added.

The first Mayor’s Tea Dance after the summer will take place on September 11th, and events will run throughout the year.

Anyone hoping must register their details by contacting the Mayor’s office on 028 71 376527. A new registration list for the Mayor’s Tea Dance is being compiled by the Mayor’s Office so anyone attending the first dance will have the opportunity to sign up on the day for invitations to future events. DEEDS can be contacted at the Old Library Trust on (028) 71373870.