The Richmount Archers Club in action. Robert Tiffney and Edition 8 Thomas Wilson getting ready to shoot their arrows. We have a full December 2013 range of archery equipment at the Richmount Centre. Anyone interested Richmount News in joining may have 3 free trial sessions after that they must become a member of the Field Archers Association which costs Published by Richmount Rural Community Association £30 per annum. There are concessions for family membership. For de- Working together for all in our community tails on joining the Archery Club please contact Keith Sharpe on 07546272774 In this issue: Richmount Elders : A great success After some 10 weeks of our Richmount Elders project it has exceeded all expectations. We are nowLoneless almost packed to capacity with upwards of 50 people attending our Thursday sessions which are open from 11.00 am to 3.30 pm. Morning and afternoon tea/coffee is provided together with a substantial lunch. These lunches are cooked by our volunteers with the men and women cooking on alternative weeks. The men are winning hands down in the competition on who can put up the tastiest dishes ( The editor must declare his bias in this ). The feedback from our elders has been excellent and the quality , variety and presentation of lunches and entertainment has brought universal praise. This is a tremendous achievement for our Association and credit must go to our volunteers who give up their time to make all this happen. More volunteers are welcome as we don’t want to tire our existing ones out. As well as lunch we have provided a variety of games and competitions together with talks on depression, keeping fit, home insulation and music and dance sessions. We have had a good response for people to volunteer as befrienders and this will be developed in the New Year with bespoke training provided . Our Christmas party will be held on Thursday 19 December starting at 11.00am with seasonal food and refreshments , fun and games. Then Photography at 1.00pm we will have Aidan Taaffe along to provide the music . The Richmount Elders project is sponsored by the DARD Rural

Club Challenge Programme There has been a great interest The first Richmount Elders session with lunch just in this with some 20 people declaring an interest. underway. The menu was: Leek and potato soup with A great night’s entertainment from Nandi Jola with her talk on wholemeal rolls. Roast gammon with a honey and NWP sponsoring Christmas party What we need now is someone to coordinate this apartheid . Wilson Magwere who kept everyone in rhythm with marmalade glaze, cabbage and turnip with mashed and NWP has very kindly offered to sponsor the Christmas and get the club set up. Then we can organise his music , singing and audience participation percussion ses- roast potatoes. Dessert was deep filled apple pie with Party for our Richmont Elders . We really appreciate training if needed , go on photo shoots and mount sion . Steve Lally gave us his particular brand of story telling and custard/ice cream followed by tea/coffee. (The men this. Thank you. displays. Norah who joined in the dance routine with Nandi. Pictured L-R : prepared this one - of course !! ) Please let us know if you would be willing to get Steve Lally, Nandi Jola, Wilson Magwere, Norah Jimba and Joe involved in this. Please complete the form below. Garvey , Chairman Richmount Rural Community Association Orchard Richmount Rural Community Association is run entirely by volunteers who receive no payment for their Framing services. We do this for the good of our community. We always need more volunteers to help us. Do not be afraid Over 30 years experience. to come forward; every hour you give to your community is precious. We would particularly welcome people to Old & new customers come in to help us with some new projects such as the photography club, our Yarn & Darn club and of course our welcome. Hay Days Heritage project. We would also need someone to keep our website updated. You do not have to be a member of the committee to do these things. Football Jerseys, watercol- ours and photographs. In this section we ask you for your feedback on any of the subjects raised in this publication or if you wish further Oil paintings cleaned and COLOUR for your garden information . varnished WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Wide choice of frames and Честита Коледа C HRISTMAS AND A ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… mounts available. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… EW EAR No job too big or too small. boldog karácsonyt plantiful NEW YEAR ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Contact Niall Lamph : baskets & blooms ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Linksmų Kalėdų 07899675172 or 28a Cannagola Beg Road ………………………………………………………………………...... счастливого Рождества BT62 1RP Name :………………………………….Address………………………………….. Tel …………………………… Benny Marley: Tel: 028 3885 2168 Email…………………………… Please return to : RRCA, 2 Derrylettiff Rd, Portadown . BT62 1QU 07712869587 mutlu Noeller Mob: 077 9531 4801

16 Email: [email protected] щасливого Різдва 1

Trip to the Maiden City Parish of Drumcree Christmas Message On 21 August we had a very memorable trip to the maid- Drumcree which means "Ridge en city. We had a tour of the Bogside and Free Derry of the Branch" (of Branchy Tree) May the spirit of Christmas Corner. We had a very tasty and economical lunch in the may well in days of old have Gasworks Restaurant. Our tour guide for the day was been a centre for Druid worship. bring you peace, However it would appear that Adrian Callan whose wealth of knowledge and presenta- The gladness of Christmas give Drumcree became a Christian tional skills were outstanding. We had a walk along the city walls whilst you hope, centre in Celtic times. The getting the history of the City. We visited the very impressive St Colm’s Culdees of Armagh who were And the warmth of Christmas Cathedral and we had a conducted tour of the Apprentice Boys Hall spon- formed in the sixth century to grant you many blessings. sored by a Craigavon Borough Council’s Community Relations grant . oversee the worship of the The lesson from the day was that we found a city which had a turbulent past Cathedral also had responsibility but the present communities have found relative harmony in their different for Drumcree. When parishes were formed in the Irish Church traditions and cultures and have decided to work together for all the in 1110, the parish of Drumcree community in the City was defined as having sixty-six townlands. These townlands lie Left: Our group progress west of the , north and along Derry’s Walls . Below: south of the church. Shortly Can’t take them anywhere.!! afterwards the Irish Church came Letty decides to rule the under the control of the Church of Rome. That was in 1172 at the roost in the Apprentice Boys Synod of Cashel. The Papal Hall while Derek takes a Taxation documents of 1296 and more relaxed stance with the 1302 list the Parishes of Kilmore “Christ the Saviour is born to us this day” Sharpes and Robinsons at his A winter scene in this painting of Drumcree “Church of the Ascension” and Plebs Varren (Ballyoran), the feet !! latter being Drumcree. David Macralagen was the name of the first recorded Vicar. He died in 1414. It is most likely that the parish church was on the very This Christmas may we extend site of the present church. It should be mentioned , however, that Kilmore, Co Armagh was the major ecclesiastical centre at that the hand of friendship to all in time. When the took place in the mid-sixteenth century, the Irish Church became Protestant like the Church of England our community whether they and independent again. Nothing is known about the Reformation years, except that Henry Iharran was appointed Vicar of the be of a different faith, culture Parishes of Kilmore and Drumcree on 5th January, 1505.A map of 1609 shows that there was a church in ruins in Drumcree Churchyard. Shortly after the Ulster Plantation in 1610 a church was built on the site of the present church. In the or colour. Parliamentary Return of 1776 it stated that there were 514 Protestant families in the parish. The Rev John Wesley had a great We are all God’s children. influence upon the parish and visited it six times between 1769 and 1785. An entry in his diary dated 15th April 1769 describes his visit to the parish that day. He says that he ''rode to Derryonvil, a little village out of all road, surrounded with bogs ... The congregation, however, was exceeding large and exceeding lively''. When Portadown began to grow at the beginning of the nineteenth century, thirteen townlands were separated from Drumcree, to form the Parish of Portadown. It was decided in 1854 to build a new church at Drumcree which is the present church. The foundation stone was laid on Richmount Rural Ascension Day, Thursday, 17th May, 1855, and that is why the church is dedicated "The Church of the Ascension". The church stands on almost the site of the previous church. . In 1867 five more townlands were separated from Drumcree to help form the

Community Association. Parish of Grange O Neilland or Diamond. These townlands are Corglass, Annagora, Ballymakeown, Coharra and Cushenny. Joe Garvey , Chairman & The Church of Ireland had been supported by the State prior to 1870, that is, it was the Established Church. But the Irish Church editor Richmount News . Act of 1869 brought the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church of Ireland from 1 st January 1871. This meant that John Wilson, Vice chairman & the Church of Ireland lost millions of pounds and a great deal of property. Drumcree lost almost all its 565 acres of Glebe Land. The Government made some compensation and this, added to the generosity of the laity and clergy kept the Church of Ireland advertising manager, Geraldine PostPost Office Office HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS going. Garvey, Secretary & sub editor Richmount News Fresh Fresh Fruit Fruit and and Vegetables Vegetables Daily Daily The Richmount Rhymers Isobel Annesley, Treasurer In the New Year we will be organising a series of cultural Committee members: Food Food to to Go Go Attended Attended Fuel Fuel Service Service on on request request events. This will be examining and nurturing the diverse Victor Hanthorn, Edna Sharpe, cultures in our community together with the opportunity for Ruth McFadden, Whipped Whipped Ice Ice Cream Cream Hardware Hardware amateur dramatics , writing and poetry to come forward . The Keith Sharpe, Letty Houston, project is entitled the Richmount Rhymers. We will examine FreeFree ATM ATM DVD DVD rentals rentals Mark Hall, Joshua Robinson,. our own local dialects and how these are based on a Scotch / Derrykeevan, Irish blend of words and phrases. We will also be looking at the Antas Penchev, Tanya 134 Dungannon Road, PassportPassport Photographs Photographs Puncture Puncture Repairs Repairs origins of our townland names. Anyone interested in pursuing Portadown, Myronova any of these type of activities as part of the project please let us Richmount News: Jayne Co. Armagh, BT62 1LH know. At the time of going to press we cannot give details but Hanthorn ,Current Affairs Tel: 028 3885 1148 we will be getting £10,000 to support this project. 15 Correspondent Fax: 02838851579 2

The Parishes of Drumcree `Emptiness' of a Christmas alone The Roman Catholic Parish of Drumcree It is estimated that half a million older peo- This parish would have been coterminous with the original Church of ple in the UK will spend Christmas alone Ireland parish prior to the beginning of the 19th Century when the this year. Portadown Parish was formed. When the of St John the "Last Christmas I spent entirely on my own, Baptist was built in 1783, the Penal Laws which severely curtailed all with no presents, no phone calls, no visits, other religious denominations, particularly Catholics and Presbyterians, nothing." Madge, a pensioner from Armagh, in favour of the Established Church, the Church of Ireland, were still in force, although being relaxed. told us about the loneliness she feels at The church followed a simple 'barn' layout, an architectural style also Christmas time. favoured by Presbyterians at this time. This is indicative of the caution She said Christmas left her feeling "tearful, felt as religious restrictions began to loosen, yet the fear that they could be reinstated remained. This rural church was built to upset, angry and extremely lonely... it's an accommodate 2000 worshippers, though parish records indicate an average attendance of about 1500 people. emptiness, it's a sadness". The positioning of the altar on the long wall was a common feature, as it gave practically everyone in the church a good view of the Mass being "We're finding more people have less time to celebrated. This intimate and central element of worship is not found in get together with older relatives and older larger churches of more traditional design built after the achievement of friends. "People realise that Christmas time is especially one of the worst times to not to be with family, Catholic Emancipation in 1829. It was not until the second Vatican and yet somehow our busy lives drive out the good intentions we have. Council that it was decreed that the altar and worship should be central to A lot of older people are cared for by their relatives but there are others who are really on their own. the congregation. In this respect the old church at Drumcree was ahead of its time. "They don't have many people going in to see them day by day in a normal week, and why should it be Shortly after the new church of St John the Baptist was built the old any different at Christmas .Reaching out for the thing we need can be very difficult because it high- church was removed stone by stone and re-erected at the Ulster Folk lights the absence of something we've potentially lost, and at points like that people can withdraw. Museum at Cultra. There is an annual visit by the local congregation to That can set up a vicious cycle because the more time you have to spend on your own, the more likely the old church and a service is held there . The Church of St Patrick’s in you will be to think and sit and dwell. Noreen, Richhill, said she had spent several Christmasses on her William Street was built in 1833 to serve the growing population of Portadown which was due to the migration from the countryside and the own. She said: "The first three or four I used to sit and cry and think 'why has everybody got somebody growth of industry in the town. This is reflected in one of the stained and I haven't?' Views of the old St John’s Church glass windows in the Church where there is an inscription: "I've got my radio which is on near enough all the time, and the television. "I read and the day just goes relocated at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum “Pray for factory girls” by. I've accepted it. "My friends go to their families and I think of them having a good time with their sons and daughters. ."Years ago I used to hope my knight with a white charger would come and carry For Best Value and Service come me away and make life better for me, but he never appeared”. to LITTERS TYRES Perhaps we can make that one special effort some time in our celebrations to invite them over for a mince pie and a drink and make them part of everything that is going on. (YOUR LOCAL TYRE SPECIALIST) "Let's make the effort, each one of us, this Christmas." Great offers on new tyres - all prices include wheel balancing New Stage and Recording Equipment for Richmount New Tyres fitted and balanced Centre

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The “new church” of St John the Baptist which was built in 1977 and extensively refurbished in 2004 Wheel balancing Beauties do it , bears and Interesting Fact MOT car wash beasts do it. Want to learn What does M & W to dance ? We can HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS Meats have in organise classes for common with the ballroom dancing. If you We have just received an offer of a Lone Ranger of the LITTERS TYRES are interested please fill £10,000 grant for “Cultural Activities”. early 1950s ? This will includes the provision of a stage Open 7.30am to 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday in the form on the back and recording equipment for our centre. It is nothing to do Dungannon Road , Portadown. page or ring Ruth on: We will be encouraging amateur dramat- with horses !! ics and cultural pursuits under our new 14 07811544198 Richmount Rhymers project . See page 15 for more details 3

Over 400 trees to be planted at Computer Classes

the Richmount Centre “The Hay Days”—Farming in the 1950 in North Armagh The next series of computer classes for 420 trees and hedging plants have just been delivered We have appointed BNL Productions to make the Video and produce to the Richmount Centre for planting this winter. The beginners will be starting again in the book for this project. We have already got some of our Richmount trees and hedging are all native species and include: January 2014. If you are interested Elders keen to relate their view of what life was like in the 1950s. It Hawthorn, Hazel, Rowan, Dogwood, Silver Birch and please fill in the form on the back page. is important that the role of women and home life is recorded together Wild Cherry. This will provide At these classes you will be taught basic with the experiences of children in that era. We are still on the look excellent screen for the centre as computer techniques and how to access the internet. out for a hay cart as the restoration of one is an integral part of the well as being supportive to local project. We would also wish to collect photographs of the time environment. The Community Anti Social Behaviour and Vandalism period . If you have such photographs these can be scanned and re- Association applied to the turned to you within a very short time period. Woodland Trust for the trees There have been some reports of some We would also wish to collect articles from the 1950s for an exhibition . and we were successful in our incidents of anti social behaviour and We do not wish to go back further than say 1949 as this is meant to be an application. Ikea is the sponsor vandalism over the past few months in accurate reflection of the 1950s decade. for the project. The planting will the Scotch Street area. involve some excavation around Wild cherry This a major project with a very large audience so we would ask the perimeter and back filling Residents are reminded to contact the the people in our community to participate . If you can help in with soil. When this is completed we will be asking for police if they see such things anyway please let us know by filling in the form on the back volunteers to assist with the planting as this is a plant- happening. By doing this they can prevent it becoming a page. ing for the benefit of the local community. larger problem. Richmount Yarn & Darn Club It is whatever you want it to be . A craft work- Richmount Monthly Craft shop, a gossiping session , a coffee session. You can It has been proposed that our community hall Fair sew, paint , do quilting , could be used to facilitate craft fairs. These would generate knit, keep fit, chat , read , a small income for the Association which can be used to cook or whatever you want cover our overhead costs such as heat and lighting and also to do in the company of other women. You support services for older people. can bring in instructors or learn from each We have an aspiration to get more people involved in arts other. You can also avail of health talks . A and crafts in the area but they will need an outlet for their sewing machine or art materials can be products hence the notion of a craft fair. provided. It will start onThursday 9 January at Absolutely Fabulous.!! The floral display at the We would propose to have this initially on a monthly basis 3.30pm. Like the Men’s Shed it will be run on Richmount Community Garden. The Malus are with a table or stall cost of £10 with the fair open from a not for profit basis and there will be an anti- now bearing their yellow fruit before the onset of 10.00am to 2.00pm. If you would be interested in taking a bullying policy. Please complete the form on winter. The garden is open during daylight hours table or stall please complete the form on the back page . the back page if you are interested giving us and we would welcome people to help us main- We would also ask you to bring this to the attention of peo- some ideas of what you would like . ple outside the area who may be interested. We will be tain and develop our garden. It is there for you to enjoy and pick the herbs. holding the first Craft Fair on Saturday 1stFebruary 2014. OIL CLUB We are actively pursuing this but our main problem at the moment is finding volunteers who are pre- pared to assist with the administration of an oil club. If we were to employ people to do Jane Ferguson , British Heart this it would offset any savings that could be Foundation, completing a made. We would, therefore , ask for volun- health check on a resident teers to come forward to help us with this. In from Scotch Street. This is part the meantime we have sufficient interest of a BHF/SHSCT programme. registered to progress on this and we will be 13 contacting oil distributors shortly 4

The Richmount Bulgarian Community . This page was compiled by our committee member, Loneliness is 'hidden killer' of elderly Atanas Penchev , and highlights our multi cultural society in Richmount. The Community Association’s objective is to work together for all in the community and it is pleasing to see our Bulgarian community playing a positive role by par- We want to raise awareness of the link between loneliness ticipating and contributing to community life. Copies of this magazine are printed in Bulgarian . This is sponsored by and poor health. Loneliness is the "hidden killer" of elderly Craigavon Borough Councils’s Community Relations people. It is reported that lonely older people are at increased risk of depression, lack of exercise and bad diet. It We sincerely wish to thank Richmount Community Association for helping us to successfully inte- has been suggested that almost one in 10 elderly people grate into the local community. We are grateful for their help in organising events such as music suffers from "intense" loneliness. and social evenings, also for the organising health checks by British Heart Foundation and ESOL Whilst people are aware of the emotional problems of loneliness few recognise the physical damage. Elderly free English language classes. people can be trapped in their own homes by a lack of mobility and the loss of family and friends. Charity groups report that a tenth of elderly people only see their friends or families less than once a month. A lack of social interaction can make old people more vulnerable to depression and to problems such as excessive drinking, poor diet and a reduction in exercise. The campaigners for the elderly say that "loneliness adversely affects the immune and cardio-vascular systems" and a lack of social interaction is linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease. One report concluded that: “The problems of loneliness and isolation need to be put on an equal footing with any other con- dition associated with ageing. Ending loneliness should be part of the solution to the challenge of reforming care and support. More than half of people over the age of 75 are living alone - The dancers from Bulgarian folk dance club “Cemshir” with We had a great audience of different nationalities at our and about one in 10 says he or she suffers from "intense" lone- their amazing costumes. musical evening. They joined in dancing and also they liness. There is a need for informal and formal attempts to tack- Their dancing to the music evening in the Richmount had the opportunity to taste our traditional Bulgarian le such loneliness, either through organised befriending schemes or through neighbours helping one Community Centre were wonderful. cuisine. another.

With gratitude and thanks to Nicky and Vesi for their great music programe, together with Brendan Monaghan on Uileann Pipes and Lee Lawson on Highland Bagpipes and Richmount Befrienders every other This is part of our Richmount Elders project which has been sponsored by the DARD Rural Challenge Programme. What we are instrument.. hoping to alleviate is the social isolation being experienced by some of our older people. Basically what it involves is visiting Nicky played some older people having a chat and gossip and keeping them up to date on what is going on in the community. It is not a care the traditional service . We will be organising training for our volunteers on this project. The training will involve safeguarding the older Bulgarian person and the volunteer together with how and who to report to when a person needs additional help or assistance. It will also Tambura and cover all the legal aspects of dealing with vulnerable adults. This training will be organised for January 2014 and will be a one Vesi , violin. day session probably from 10.00am to 4.30pm. With lunch provided Volunteers will also need to have an AccessNI check completed which will be paid for by the Community Association. Volunteers on this scheme will be entitled to out of pocket expenses such as travelling . Now taking orders for our own farm Would you be interested in joining us in reared, free range bronze turkeys providing this service? It can be as little as one along with everything else you might hour per week and we would not wish to have need for your Christmas dinner!!!! our volunteers engaged on this for more than Also a special Christmas dinner deal 10/12 hours per month . We believe the quality of the visits are very important. We would especial- available , which includes a 3lb ly like to welcome men to join us in this service. turkey breast fillet , 2 lb gammon , Do you know of anyone who would benefit Delicious cakes, pastries and other traditional 1 lb cocktail sausages and 1 lb from this service.? You may have a friend or Bulgarian dishes were prepared for our stuffing all for only £20 ! relative or a neighbour who may be glad to have musical evening in the Richmount Community Wishing all our customers a very someone call with them. There will be no Centre. Thanks to all the people who cooked intrusion on anyone’s privacy and there will be a Happy Christmas 12 the dishes, they were really delicious. formal introduction policy to ensure the befriender and the person being befriended are 5 both happy with each other.

Our Richmount Elders Richmount Playgroup - A popular choice The Playgroup is now up to its full complement of 16 children and proving to be a very popular playgroup. The manager , Lesley Fulton , and her play leader, Vicky Cahoon , have extensive experience in their field and this has borne fruit as reflected by the positive feedback from parents and of course the most important of all - the children. We hope to be moving within the next few months to our purpose designed premises at the Richmount Centre which will be registered to accom- modate 24 children. So if you have a child becoming 3 from around February onwards and you would like them to attend the playgroup register your interest with Lesley Fulton as soon as possible .

Despite having 9 children of the qualifying age we were again What have they been up to ? refused funding from the SELB on the grounds that it was deemed that there was insufficient need in the area. It would appear that the SELB Apart from dining they have been : does not want Richmount be in the equation for providing immediate Playing cards Vicky Cahoon and Lesley Fulton with some of pre school places. Parents cannot even register their interest as the Photos : Top left Mrs Cook and Mrs Milligan. Karaoke the Playgroup children forms do not have Richmount as an option. Do you think this is fair? Above: Mrs Doyle, Mrs Duke, Mrs Kells & Mrs Hunter. Hearing about depression through However, as we provide a much longer session than most funded places ( Ours is from 9.00am to 1.00pm) parents are Left: Renee Burgess with Mrs Benson in the background the ages finding it more financially advantageous to send their children to Richmount. We will continue to lobby for free plac- Top right : Bessie May Bingo sessions es but the SELB does not seem to want to recognise that Richmount is a substantial growing village with a young Music & Dancing The volunteers are taking a rest for 2 weeks over the population. Richmount Playgroup is determined to continue to provide the best service for children at the most eco- festive season so there will be no Elders sessions on Having a Beetle Drive nomical cost to parents . Richmount Playgroup is run by parents for parents . Lesley Fulton can be contacted on 26 December or 2 January . 07545637750 . Make your views known on the SELB funding policy on the back page. Musical quizzes They will resume on Thursday 9 January. Please come to our open night on Thursday 12 December at Richmount Primary School from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Thanks to all our funders and sponsors. Without them Solving conundrums Our Playgroup is dedicated to learning through constructive play . And most of all having FUN !! and our volunteers these events would not be possible. The child is the most important aspect of the playgroup. All children are welcome . We aim to give children the foundation and opportunity to fulfil their potential when they start primary school. It is professionally managed with qualified staff. New dedicated premises are in progress to open next year. We are now taking enrolments for 2014/15 for both the playgroup and preschool year and also for the last term of 2013/14 Come to our open night : Thursday 12 December 2013 from 7.00 pm to 9.00pm Richmount Primary School, 105 Moy Road, Portadown . Tel: 07545637750 or email: [email protected] NWP to Provide Christmas Party for Playgroup

Our local recycling company on the Moy Road has confirmed that it will sponsor both the Playgroup’s and the Richmount Elders Christmas Party. Shane Woods, from NWP said he was very pleased to support both groups and was an example of NWP’s commitment to working with the Richmont 6 Community 11

Richmount Primary School receives praise from the Inspectorate Richmount Apple Fayre We had a good turnout for our apple fayre to mark the fourth centenary of Portadown. We had exhibitions from Richmount Primary School , displays from the NI Fruit Growers Association together with samples of apple juices and ciders from Armagh Cider Company and Barnhill. We also had a display of processed fruit from McNeice Bros and the apple for the delicious apple crumble was donated by Davidson’s Foods. Photographed left is the Mayor with some of the committee and Victor Hanthorn who was obviously out Richmount Primary School has received praise from the Education and Training Inspectorate following an inspection pulling some lovely Bramley apples !!!! carried out in September. The report found the quality of the children’s achievements and standards as being very good with performance in English and Mathematics consistently above the Northern Ireland average. The exemplary behaviour of the pupils was also noted in the report. It stated that the children take pride in their work and engage in a range of external activities organised by the school. The report highlighted that in Numeracy: “The children have a very good understanding of their work across the range of areas in Mathematics and that by year seven they have very good knowledge and understanding of important concepts across the mathematics curriculum; they apply their learning in meaningful contexts.” While in Literacy the report concluded that, “across all key stages, almost all of the children achieve very good standards in Literacy and develop very good skills consistent with the staff expectations.” The quality of the provision for children with special needs was described as very good and the report stated that, “children are identified early through outside agencies, teacher observation and the use of appropriate internal performance data”. In regard to leadership and management the report went on to say that, “the principal has a clear vision for the promotion of the children’s aspirations and achievements and he combines effectively his teaching and leadership roles.” Elizabeth Cochrane & Violet Hant- This very encouraging report has been welcomed by the school’s Board of Governors . horn admiring the Aberdeen Cup. Thanks to Dermot Morgan NIFGA Twenty six years of service for supplying all the trophies Mrs Maureen Hunter retired from her post as a supervisory th assistant at Richmount Primary School on 29 October 2013 Ladies following twenty six years of dedicated service to the school. Mrs Hunter was presented with gifts and flowers during a Keep Fit special assembly held on her last day at work. The governors, staff, pupils and parents of the school wish to Right Ladies. This thank her for her hard work over such a lengthy period and is your chance to keep fit and shed wish her a long and happy retirement. those pounds before you indulge yourself at Christmas. For a trial period we will have a ladies keep fit session every Monday evening from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. We have a range of exercise bikes, a rowing machine , treadmills, multi gym and exercise mats. We also have table tennis and pool. There is a TV and DVD player in the room so if you wish to bring along a fitness DVD feel free. For those who want a break in between sessions a large screen which also has a home cinema system. There will be a small charge to cover the cost of heat and lighting. Pictured in the photograph are left to right: Mr Mark Hall Principal, Sophie Parks, Mrs Maureen Hunter, Hannah Cochrane and Char- For further details please contact Ruth on 07811544198 10 lotte Ruddock 7

Political Guide for Tourists to Ireland Richmount Men’s Shed “Men don’t talk face to face; they talk By Ed Anderson our North American correspondent shoulder to shoulder” (Golding 2007) So what is so special about a Men’s Shed? Most men have learned from our culture that they don’t talk about feelings and emotions. There has been little encouragement for men to take an interest in their own health and Ireland is an island to the west of Britain but Northern Ireland is just off well-being. Unlike women, most men are reluctant to talk about the mainland - not the Irish mainland, the British mainland. their emotions and that means that they usually don’t ask for help. The capital of Ireland is Dublin. It has a population of a million Probably because of this many men are less healthy than women, people, all of whom will be shopping in Newry this afternoon. they drink more, take more risks and they suffer more from They travel to Newry because it is in the North, which is not part of isolation, loneliness and depression. Ireland, but still pay in Euros. Under the Irish constitution, the North used Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about to be in Ireland, but a successful 30-year campaign of violence for Irish yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, unity ensured that it is now definitely in the UK. Had the campaign lasted connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and an active any longer the North might now be in France. mind. Becoming a member of a Community Men’s Shed gives a man that safe and busy environment where he can find many of Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. It has a population of half a million, half of whom own houses in Donegal. these things in an atmosphere of friendship. And, importantly, Donegal is in the north but not in the North. It is in the South. No, not the south, the South. A Men’s Shed in Australia there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a chat and a There are two parliaments in Ireland. The Dublin parliament is called the Dáil, (pronounced "Doyle"), an Irish word “It’s not all work ” cuppa if that is all they’re looking for. meaning a place where banks receive taxpayers' money. The one in Belfast is called Stormont, an Anglo-Saxon word Members of Men’s Sheds can come from all walks of life – the meaning 'placebo', or deliberately ineffective drug. bond that unites them is that they are men with time on their hands and they would like something meaningful Their respective jurisdictions are defined by the border, an imaginary line on the map to show fuel launderers where to to do with that time. Because men don’t often make a fuss about their problems, these problems have dump their chemical waste and bi-products. consistently been either ignored or swept under the carpet by both our health system and our modern society. It’s time for a change and the Men’s Shed movement is a powerful tool in helping men to once again become Protestants are in favour of the border, which generates millions of pounds in smuggling for Catholics, who are totally valued and valuable members of our community. We believe each group of men should be encouraged and opposed to it. Travel between the two states is complicated because Ireland is the only country in the world with two supported to realise their own potential and to take responsibility and ownership for their own project and its M1 motorways. The one in the North goes west to avoid the south and the one in the South goes north to avoid the price possibilities. As far as possible each group should retain its own autonomy. of drink! We see the passing on of skills, traditional and new as a key aspect of the work. Each man should see himself as teacher and a learner in their group. Different men will possess varying degrees of skills professional and We have two types of democracy in Ireland. Dublin democracy works by holding a referendum and then allowing the practical which will encourage the community learning possibilities. Each man will bring his own particular government to judge the result. If the government thinks the result is wrong, the referendum is held again. Twice in individuality, skills and limitations to the group and should be fully respected and acknowledged. There will be recent years the government decided the people's choice was wrong and ordered a new referendum. a clear anti – bullying policy. Belfast democracy works differently. It has a parliament with no opposition, so the government is always right. This There will be an emphasis on informal learning. An atmosphere of ‘doing stuff together’, having fun, creating a system generates envy in many world capitals, especially Dublin . Ireland has three economies - Northern, Southern and buzz should prevail. “We will black. Only the black economy is in the black. The other two are in the red. learn from each other” Great Range of Quality Cars at Affordable Prices All versions of the IRA claim to be the real IRA but only one of them is the Real IRA. This is a non profit making pro- 2001 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2SXi, blue. 70,000 miles £1,450 The North's biggest industry is the production of IRAs. Consequently, we now have the Provisional, Continuity and ject , therefore any income Real IRA. The Real IRA is by far the most popular among young graffiti writers, simply because it is the easiest to generated by the shed will be 2005 Skoda Fabia Classic, blue, full MOT . 66,000 miles £1,950

spell. I trust this clarifies things and has answered many previously unanswered questions for you. ploughed back into the project 2006 Hyundai Getz Gsi 3d blk, T Blt ser just completed, 80k mls £2,150 for the benefit of its members. 2006 Hyundai Amica GS1 , 5dr, black. FSH, 54k miles £2,250 Trip to Boyne 2007 Vauxhall Astra Life, black 5Dr FSH ,62,000mls £3,650 Centre & 2008 Renault Clio Ext 3dr T Blt ser just completed 86,000 mls £3,750 2006 Ford Fiesta Zetec Climate 1.4D . 1 lady owr FSH 50k mls £3,950 Drogheda 19 2006 Honda Accord 2.2D ,silver , taxed and Mot’d, 102,000 mls £3,995 September 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.0 Red. 1 lady owner, Low tax & ins 42k mls £3,995 Left: Victor 2010 Ford Ka Style , blue. 48,000 miles. £4,650 Hanthorn proclaims Richmount Men’s Shed 2007 Ford Mondeo Edge, grey, Full year’s Mot. 45,000 miles £4,650 victory in the famous Initial Session 2009 Renault Laguna Dyna 2.0D, Black. FSH, 1 owner , 55k mls £4,750 1690 battle or :“The 2010 Peugeot 207 S , grey, Full year’s Mot , 48,000miles £4,995 battle of the three Thursday 9 January at 3.30 2008 Vauxhall Vectra Sri CDTi 150 , silver, 75,000 miles £ 4,995 kings”. Sorry Victor pm at the Richmount Centre , you were not related to either James , Louis or 2009 Ford Focus 1.8TDCi, silver, 1 owner , FSH . 72,000 mls £5,995 2 Derrylettiff Rd. William but they were to each other. A great day out and very informative . We had an Come along to find out what excellent tour guide in the form of Sean Collins former mayor of Drogheda. The group is outside the Church of we can do together. Ireland church in Drogheda which was rebuilt following a fire by the generosity of the people of Drogheda What do we need ? irrespective of their religious affiliation. This trip was sponsored by PEACE 111 and facilitated by Tides Training who Is it for you ? provided an excellent insight into the famous battle which has affected us all even to this day. 8 9