posted 06/2/09 

Joe Maclean steps down as CDCA Chairman

The driving force behind the development of the CDCA from its inception 8 years ago, Joe Maclean announced his 'retirement' from the post of Chairman at the AGM on 5/2/09.   Now aged 82, he will continue as a Committee member to see through the current projects that he has been involved with.

The Committee expressed their appreciation and admiration for Joe's remarkable contribution to the success of the CDCA, which is widely regarded as one of the most effective and active community associations in Northern Ireland, and often held up to others as an example of how an association should be run.

After a successful career in the RAF,  Wing Commander Joe Maclean MBE, retired to live in Cloughey in 1986.  He continued to be active with many hobbies including furniture restoration, gardening and wine-making.  In 2001, he was approached by the Rural Community Network to set up a Community Association.   He was by then 74, but he took on the challenge with his usual energy, enthusiasm and determination.  As Chairman, Joe was closely involved in every initiative and project and he was able to use his extensive network of friends, acquaintances and contacts to achieve results. 

There is virtually no-one in the District who has not come across Joe in one role or another.  Many people only became aware of his powers of persuasion after they had agreed to whatever Joe was asking them to do.  His skills of diplomacy and his sense of humour have enabled the CDCA to overcome many obstacles.  The CDCA was |Joe's creation and now that it is well established with a large and active committee, he can step down in the knowledge that it will continue to follow his vision of improving the quality of life for everyone in Cloughey & District.