Edition 10

Richmount Activity Programme Richmount News December 2014 We have a very wide range of activities planned for the incoming year. Some of these are for our Published by Richmount Rural Community Association older people and others for anyone in our community. We need people to support these activities. Working together for all in our community These are listed below and are in no particular order. We have not got dates and times arranged for all of these as the funding has just come through. For most of these sessions there will be a charge of £2 per session to cover the cost of heat and lighting etc. Great news for Richmount Elders & our Community Keep updated on our Website: www.richmount rca.btck.co.uk The Richmount Elders group which has only been in existence for just over a year keeps going from Drama workshops: These have already started but it is not too late to join in . We hope to stage a strength to strength. The Association is continuing to short play by Spring 2015. provide its very popular lunches every Thursday but the activity programme now on offer to the group is Costume making/ stage props: This is linked to the drama workshops but we will need people to undoubtedly one of the best. It has received a further facilitate the drama project in helping to make costumes and stage props. boost when it was recently announced that the Associ- Art workshop: This is a 30 session programme and will cover a very wide range of visual arts ation is to receive £3,700 from PHA/CLEAR for an including: Textile art, ceramics, mixed media collage , drawing, painting and artistic photography emotional well being project for the Richmount Elders ; this is on top of a £2,000 grant from the Com- Photography. There will be at least 12 workshops. We would welcome some young people to join munity Foundation for activities for this group. This is for all types of camera. the Elders .They have already been enjoying keep fit , Lots of activities planned for our Richmount Elders and others in the community Quilting/fabric crafts. We would particularly welcome people who may not be involved in the older relaxation , choir tuition and dancing classes from this people’s group . This is open to males and females and all age groups. This is held on Tuesday grant . The PHA/CLEAR grant will facilitate drama afternoons. The next theme for the group will be “peace” which will be represented in fabric. workshops together with photography workshops, a holistic health programme and a multi faceted arts project. It also includes four traditional tea dances with tuition and live music. Cycling: In the New Year we will be purchasing new hybrid bicycles. This is hobby cycling as Drama , arts & cycling attracts major award. opposed to racing and suitable for all ages. However, the icing on the cake is a pending announcement that the Association is also to benefit from another £10,000 grant. We are not at liberty to announce full details of this award other than it will cover Walking Club: This will resume in the Spring. a comprehensive arts project worth around £2,500. There are also 16 bicycles to be provided together Dancing : This will continue during the winter and early spring months - held on Monday evenings with a sound and lighting system for the stage in the community centre and also a baby changing unit. There is also some money to support the printing of this magazine . Some new chairs for the centre can Keep fit/relaxation: These sessions are for older people and are held on Thursdays now be provided together with curtains and blinds. Speaking about the awards , Joe Garvey, Chairman of Tea Dances: We will be holding four of these between now and the end of March 2015 the Association said: “ This is certainly a boost for our Richmount Elders and for our wider community . It is hard to believe that we only started work 2 years ago on clearing the old sewage works site to provide Men’s Shed : Every Tuesday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm . Drop in as you please. our current facilities. The improvement in the lives of some of our older people as a result of these developments is outstanding and makes all the hard work that we have put in very rewarding. We now Irish Language Appreciation Classes: These are held on Tuesday evenings have the opportunity to pursue our dramatic and artistic pursuits while our Richmount Raleighers will In this section we ask you for your feedback on any of the subjects raised in this publication or if you wish certainly welcome the bicycles.” Want to join in these activity programmes ? Please see back page. further information or suggestions on what we can do for our community. Also please indicate if you would In This issue: wish to get involved in any of the activities listed above or if you can help out with any of our activities. I am interested in the oil club Major boost for education in Richmount

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Cultural diversity in Richmount …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Public Artwork for ……………………………………………………………………………………...... …. Name :………………………………….Address………………………………………………………………. The Hay Days Heritage Project Tel …………………………… Email…………………………… Playgroup gets funded places & is expanding Please return to : RRCA, 2 Derrylettiff Rd, . BT62 1QU Email: [email protected] or just pop it

in the post box at the entrance to the Centre Participate in our arts , cycling, archery and 1 20 `photography activities

The literal meaning of Official Opening Richmount Centre Christmas After acquiring the lease of the derelict Waste Water Treatment works at Scotch Street in August 2012 the Association managed to turn it into a substantial community hub in a little over a year with the “Christmas" is a compound word construction of community centre ,playgroup building and gardens. To mark the success of the originating in the term "Christ's venture the Association had an official opening of the Centre in June. The opening was performed by Mass". It is derived from the the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Catherine Seeley. Jo– Anne Dobson MLA and Gerard Rocks, Assistant Middle English Cristemasse, Director, SHSCT were guest speakers at the event and both praised the work of the association on the which is from Old English provision not just of the facility but extensive range of services now being provided at the centre. Crīstesmæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.

This Christmas let us reflect on the spirit of goodwill and open our hearts out to those who may not be well, mentally or physically; to those who are lonely and maybe on their own throughout Christmas. To those who maybe have financial difficulties and for whom Christmas can be a nightmare. Sometimes we take our good health , wellbeing and prosperity for granted and illness only befalls on others. However, in the journey of life, ill health will at some time Jo -Anne Dobson : beset us all. It would be nice to think that others would care “A massive thank you to the Committee about us when we are in need of comfort. Even someone to Cutting the ribbon Deputy Mayor , Cllr Catherine of the Richmount Rural Community listen to us. Do not harden your hearts; rather hear the voice Seeley and Joe Garvey, Chairman Richmount Association for the beautiful flowers. of those in need beside you and act in the spirit of your faith. Rural Community Association Both Joe Garvey and Lettie Houston spoke so well at the opening ceremony - Richmount Rural especially Lettie turning the tables on Community Association. Joe to commend him for all that he has Violet Hanthorn and Daphne Joe Garvey , Chairman done for everyone in the community .” Heggarty nearly got their John Wilson, MBE Vice chairman Much to Joe’s surprise he was presented prayer rope in a twist as they Geraldine Garvey, Secretary with a present from the users of the weaved the rope over them- Isobel Annesley, Treasurer Centre !! selves!! This was part of a Committee members: Halloween exhibition on Victor Hanthorn, Edna Sharpe, Joe Garvey speaking at the official opening. straw crafts. Ruth McFadden, On his left is the recently formed Richmount Keith Sharpe, Letty Houston, Elders Choir. Mark Hall, Antas Penchev, Jo-Anne Dobson: Tanya Myronova “Joe Garvey is a legend in Richmount! As Chairman he is the backbone of the Community Richmount News: Association. I was so honoured to be asked to speak at the opening of their new Centre in Editor : Joe Garvey Scotch Street which I had helped secure for them from NI Water. It’s fantastic to see all the Sub editor: Geraldine Garvey activities taking place on what was a derelict site.” Advertising Manager: Committee member , Keith Sharpe, ( right) was highly John Wilson commended for all his hard work in co-ordinating and helping Photographer: Richard Heslip with the construction of the community centre and Playgroup Current Affairs Correspondent: buildings. Keith was presented with a cut glass decanter by the Jayne Hanthorn Chairman, Joe Garvey Overseas correspondent : Ed Anderson Gerard Rocks , Assistant Director, SHSCT Playgroup correspondent: Ruth “Whatever the formula is that Richmount has for McClelland producing one of the best older people’s groups we want it Couldn’t take them anywhere. The “Richmount Boys “ went to a Men’s Gerard Rocks , Keith Sharpe bottled so that we can use it elsewhere !! ” Shed in Ballymena and started playing with guns !! SHSCT 19 2

Richmount Raleighers Richmount Goes to Down

Our Richmount Cyclists have been cycling Richmount RCA continued its intrepid journey of bus trips. This time the group went to County from and even Bangor. (With a lit- Down . Our day in Downpatrick started off in Murphy’s Bar for tea & coffee followed by visit to the tle help from the train) . We have some in St Patrick’s Centre and Down Cathedral and then back to Murphy’s Bar for lunch. In the afternoon we their mid –seventies down to those around took the ferry from Strangford to Portaferry where we went to the Exploris Centre to see the fish and fifty. We are looking for all from the com- the sea lions. munity to join in including those who have not ridden bikes for years. We have trained cycle leaders and the “run” will match your capabilities. Coupled with the cycling we also have walking sessions so you can choose either or both. The cyclists have been using bikes mainly from the pod in Portadown but next year Editor’s Comments We would sincerely we will be in a position to buy 16 bicycles wish to thanks all our of our own. We will be opting for hybrid This our 10th edition of Richmount funders . Without you bikes which are essentially road bicycles News and we hope you will enjoy and easy to push. If you would like to get we could not provide Above: The very informative St Patrick’s reading it. This edition has been involved please complete the form on the our services for the Centre sponsored by a grant but in future edi- back page and we will get back to you. community. Left: Boarding the bus to get back to the bar !! tions we will need advertising support. The feedback we receive about the magazine is highly complimentary but it It was seal is disappointing that we receive little feeding time at contribution or feedback from our Exploris` readers. This is your magazine. Right: One of the Our services and activities for older many species of fish at Exploris people in our community are probably the best in the Province but we need to be doing more for those people who cannot come to our Centre. However, we will need your help . We also need some younger people to help out with

our Thursday sessions for the Richmount Elders. Despite being one of the “younger Elders” I personally have found it a very rewarding experience to be able to help our older people and see how our efforts have really improved their quality of life. If we live long enough we will experience old age and we would like to Food served Wednesday to Sunday think that the community would embrace The Richmount Group arrive at Down us with dignity and help us realise our 39 Clantilew Road , Tartaraghan, worth and talents despite our age. Cathedral and the grave of St Patrick and St Portadown Brigid. We also learnt that the colour assigned A very happy and peaceful Christmas to Craigavon all our readers. to St Patrick was blue and not green !! BT62 1RN Tel: 028 3885 1322 A Richmount Elders’ relaxation class conducted by Amanda Joe Garvey 18 Boyd from Innersolace 3

Genravel & Richmount come together in harmony Glenravel comes to Richmount Cultural diversity is a cliché which is much bandied about but how many groups actually put it into action ? Richmount Rural Community Association is now viewed by commentators as being one of the more progressive community groups in the area and likewise our peers in Glenravel in the Glens of Antrim. Despite coming from in most cases, different religious backgrounds and having significant cultural differences the people in both groups found a common bond of friendship. During the visit by Richmount to Glenravel and the reciprocal visit to Richmount both groups thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Richmount now has many cultures within its com- munity and on the Glenravel visit to Richmount it was an opportunity for us to display some of these cultures. The result of the project—clearly demonstrated that they can get on well and enjoy themselves. We hope to be able to have more visits with our friends in Glenravel. The aims of the project were to allow 2 groups from The entertainment committee: Carmel Mckenna gets the boys different religious backgrounds to experience each other’s culture with the following objectives: The groups at Drumcree Church John Wilson & Joe Garvey enacting “old McDonald’s

To dispel myths about each other’s culture It was To form a sustainable relationship between the two groups where- by the learning experience can continue beyond this project approaching Halloween and the To allow both groups to appreciate the difficulties experienced by an ethnic community but how it has learned to adapt to living in Kildara Dancers Northern Ireland were dressed for To allow all the stakeholders to enjoy the concept of embracing the occasion different cultures Chemshir, Bulgarian dancers To be a medium for positive media coverage particularly in relation to the Drumcree/Garvaghy Road situation , but without a confrontational aspect

To give members of both groups the opportunity of being in a so- cial setting where they can mix and enjoy themselves and find their bonds of commonality

On the visit to Glenravel the Richmount Group was afforded great hospitality and welcome. We had the opportunity to visit Cushendall and Cushendun together with Ballycastle and we had a very interesting visit to Corrymeela. The Corrymeela Community was founded in 1965 by the Rev Dr Ray Davey assisted by a group of Kildara Irish dancers– uncloaked students from Queen's University, Belfast. The seeds for the Community were initially sown during World War The associations’ representatives 2, when Ray’s experiences as a prisoner of war coupled with his witnessing of the Allied bombing of Information afternoons for parents Dresden and its consequent loss of life made an indelible impression on him. seeking pre school places for 2015/16 Corrymeela's mission is: embracing difference, healing division and enabling reconciliation. Our vision is of a peaceful and sustainable society based on social justice, positive relationships and respect for diversity. The Where Every Child is Special Corrymeela Community strives to embody these values in every aspect of our lives . We will be open for parents on Wednesdays 10 December & 7 January from 1.30pm to 3.00pm.

On the reciprocal visit to Co Richmount Rural Community Association had a conducted tour of the dis- Applications for pre school places must be returned to the SELB by 12 noon on 14 January 2015 puted Garvaghy Road/Drumcree route, a visit to Drumcree Chruch, a tour of the / Armagh including For 2015/16 Richmount Playgroup can now offer funded places. Dan Winter’s Cottage and Sloan’s House in Loughgall. Then there was a visit to both cathedrals and a great night’s entertainment back in the Richmount Centre where we had Ukrainian, At these open afternoons we will also be taking expressions of interest from parents who may wish to Bulgarian and Irish dancing together with Carmel McKenna and Country Fea- enrol their children (from 2 years and 10 months) who will not be in the immediate Pre School year. tures. The evening session was opened by the Mayor, Colin McCusker. We We also plan to have additional places for children from 2 years and 10 months in Spring 2015 would sincerely wish to thank all those people who made the project such a huge success and especially to our funder for this event, Community Relations Richmount Centre, 2 Derrylettiff Road, Scotch Street, Portadown, BT62 1QU Council. The pictures tell the story better so please have a look at pages 16 & Tel: 028 38339140. Email: [email protected] www.richmountplaygroup.btck.co.uk 17 17 for some of the photos. We also have a DVD covering the visits. 4

The Hay Days. Farming in the 1950s . Cultural Diversity in Action The hay has been made and the harvest is in. The production of the DVD is nearing completion together with the book which is at the publishers. The DVD and book will be in one package. We will be Richmount goes to Glenravel launching the book and DVD on Thursday 29 January 2015. 1000 copies will be produced. The launch will recall the 1950s with a barn dance with the key players in the project dressed for the occasion in 1950s style clothes. In this publication it is better to tell the story of this project using pictures from the haymaking through to the cock of hay sitting outside St Marks Church at the Country Comes to Town event held back in September.

Geraldine & Joe Garvey at The ceili band at Cargan Eddie Mairs with the Glenravel women!!

Reflecting in Corrymeela in peace and tranquillity

The groups from Richmount & Glenravel make their way into Corrymeela It was not all work and no play !! Contrary to what your parents or grandparents may have told you people did have a social life and boys still met girls and courtships developed. Maybe slightly different to today as there were no text messages or skype. In our project we had a tea dance with the aul’ns and the young people so it went from the slow waltzes of “Softly Softly” to “Jailhouse Rock”.

An important part of this project was not just looking at the farming aspects of rural life but all the other factors which influenced life in the 1950s. This included the economics of the era The Richmount Elders’ Choir performing at the official opening of the and the social regime which was much Richmount Centre. Here they are under the expert guidance of their stricter than what we have today. The Words of Wisdom at choir master , Noreen Ritchie while Mary Hunter plays the organ. The book looks at these aspects of rural life. Corrymeela-“ Croi ”means heart ” choir is now practising for Christmas. They are open for bookings !! Have a read when it comes out. 16 5

Building peace through the arts Richmount Tart of the Year

During the early summer months the consultation on this project was Awards completed . There was a high level of community engagement and To coincide with some thought provoking ideas for the imagery to be used. There Halloween and the visit by our were surreal ideas from a cow lying on a tartan bed. –Think about it: friends from Glenravel we Derek Montgomery sells beds , James Tiffney has a large dairy farm decided to have our in the centre of the village and the tartan represents the Scotch inaugural Richmount Tart of origins. However, the older people , young people at the youth club the Year contest. and the children from Richmount Primary School came up with The bakers took the competition very seriously as better themes. they vied for the title with rolling pins and baking tins poised for battle. The judges were 3 representa- The brief has now been advertised for artists to come up tives from Genravel as we felt it was safer that way with ideas for the imagery. The timescale for completion of as - at least they could get out quickly and back the project is very tight with a completion date of June 2015. home !! The results were as follows: Artists will come back to the Association with expressions of interest. Out of these three are selected to produce images Pastry section: 1st Joyce McKittrick, 2nd Margaret and costings for the finished piece of public artwork. One is Boyd, 3rd Edna Sharpe. then selected and given the commission to design and Crumble section: Joint first: Laverne Wilson & provide the artwork . The site identified is adjacent to Edna Sharpe , 3rd Ruth Millar. Richmount Primary School but this cannot be finally agreed Potato apple bread: 1st Olga Gallagher, until the artwork is finalised. The school has had a major joint second Edna Sharpe & Laverne Wilson. input into the project and this is reflected in the theme Richmount Primary School and Richmount Elders Certificates will be presented at the Elders suggested by one of the pupils. “ We are all one ”. It is were heavily involved in developing the theme for Christmas party on 17 December. important to remember that this is a long term piece of the public artwork for Scotch Street public art and should reflect the children’s aspiration for the future. It is estimated the cost of the finished artwork will Richmount pupil became a prominent Doctor be in the order of £45,000. Dr John Wilson, originally from Cornamuckley on the Moy Road recalls going to the old Richmount School during the early days of the Second World War. He relates how The actual brief reflects the views of the Scotch Street in the winter months he had to bring two pieces of turf for the school fire along with his community ascertained during the consultation process. gas mask and schoolbag. In those days there were only about 50 to 60 children at The key items of the brief are shown below: Richmount School. He obtained a scholarship to the Dungannon Royal School from The artwork will embrace the past, present and future of the where he went on to The Queen’s University in Belfast where he studied medicine for village of Scotch Street and its surrounding rural hinterland. six years . He started his medical career in the Moyle hospital before moving into It will reflect on the rural aspects of the area including its General Practice. In 1973 he became a Member of the Royal College of General apple growing and agriculture and will also develop more Practitioners and a Fellow in 1982. In 1989 became a Fellow of the British Medical Association , later attaining an inclusive civic and cultural identities through the production Occupational Medical Degree LFOM (LRCP). of high quality artwork for the public realm. This theme He was persuaded to leave Moyle Hospital to take up general practice in Whitehead . He cites that looking after the demonstrates the various cultural, social and historic elderly as being very special to him : “ They are the people with experience of life and are very sincere. They are identities of the residents, from long-term historic businesses/families to embracing the new residents also more keen to listen to advice and take their treatment over a long period.” There were times he felt through the use of language and positive words. frustration about not always being able to do everything he wanted to help people. He retired at the age of 63 mainly due to two considerations. “I had a patient who died at the age of 44 due to work related stress and the The desire to include as many aspects of life in Scotch Street was memory always stayed with me . Secondly the new contracts imposed on doctors meant that we had to consider the portrayed in various ways through all groups, from the cost of treatments. I didn’t really have the heart to carry out some of the things we were being asked to do such as Richmount Elders use of positive words such as Peace, Helping checking for the cheapest hospital or the cheapest drug - I always wanted the best for my patients.” Hands, Trust, Join Hands etc. through to the children talking John is still heavily involved with the BMA and is an ardent rugby supporter , having played with Portadown RFC about the different ways to say Hello, Welcome etc. The fact that in his younger days . He still likes to follow the Five Nations Tournament and regularly attends matches. as many ideas and aspects as possible from the community would John is a regular reader of Richmount News which he gets from his sister Letty Houston, who lives on the site of be represented in this idea reflects the positive attitude of the his family home at Cornamuckley. His brother Aubrey also lives on the Moy Road. residents towards newcomers, existing residents and future 6 15 developments.

Newcomers in Scotch Street Education in Richmount gets major boost This article was the basis of a presentation made by Atanas Penchev to the Mayor and the audience at the The community association has strongly advocated a good local education provision in the Richmount Area. A few Richmount /Glenravel Cultural Diversity event held on 27 October. Atanas came to Northern Ireland from years ago Richmount Primary School numbers had started to fall following the removal of its reception class. The Bulgaria with little or no English. He has worked tirelessly with the Bulgarian Community at Scotch Street whilst Community Association and the school led a united campaign to have pre school education in the area which in holding down at least one and sometime two jobs. He is continuing to further his Eng- turn could assist in maintaining numbers at Richmount School and ensure its long tem viability. It was left to the lish Language by taking more courses and he is now an accredited interpreter for the work of the community association in conjunction with the school to provide the pre school facility. Richmount Health Trust. He is a very active member of the community association and takes time Playgroup was established in September 2012 and has gone from strength to strength and can now boost its own in his busy schedule to help set out the tables for the Richmount Elders lunch on specially designed playgroup facility at the Richmount Centre. Thursdays. Tanya Myronova is also a committed member of the Association and more In the meantime the numbers have been increasing at Richmount Primary School to the extent that a new class- recently on Richmount Playgroup. She and her husband came from Ukraine several room is currently under construction and a new multi purpose hall has just been built as outlined in the pages that years ago. Both are qualified vets in Ukraine. Their daughter Sophia is an accom- follow. plished Irish dancer and performed with Kildara School of dancing at the Cultural Di- versity event. Tanya makes exceptionally decorative cakes for all occasions under her Richmount Playgroup one of the Best banner of Tanya’s Dream Cakes. Behind the scenes Tanya does a lot of work in The playgroup has had two recent inspections by both SHSCT and DETI and both concluded that the providing family support to many of the Newcomer families in the area and in particu- playgroup was providing an excellent service and were praiseworthy of both the staff and the new lar to young mothers who can get very isolated without the extended family network the local community playgroup facility. normally has to hand. Best Equipped Playgroup “The Bulgarian Community in Scotch Street” by Atanas Penchev The Richmount Playgroup is destined to be one of the best equipped in the area as it has recently received an The Bulgarian community in Northern Ireland, is growing quite moderate- Awards for All Big Lottery grant worth £10,000 for equipment for the playgroup. Children will now be able to ly, contrary to the expectation of a major migration of Bulgarians after the watch educational media on a new 50in television and new software will shortly be arriving for their computer immigration legislation was relaxed in January 2014. As a part of this com- suite. There will also be a new delivery in the very near future of educational equipment and materials. munity, I would like to present you with my perspective on its growth and development here in Northern Ireland. I would like to start from the past Funded Places for Immediate Pre school Children and especially from the time when I arrived here several years ago. The so- The biggest boost of all for the playgroup came when the SELB finally agreed to provide funded places for the cial life of the Bulgarians at that time was very limited, often only meeting Playgroup. It was mid-September before the news came through that we were being awarded 10 funded places. by chance with other Bulgarians while shopping in Tesco. Not knowing the Unfortunately this came after the start of the School year and some of the children destined to have these places English language ,was one of the reasons why we had such a poor social had found places in other facilities. . life and we generally just stayed at home. Of course there were exceptions, Some funded places still available. such as Plamena Chemshirova and Valentina Stefanova who are the founders of the Bulgarian Association in As all our funded places have not been filled this year we still have some available for children in their immediate Northern Ireland, which is located in Armagh. Thanks to their hard work, many of the Bulgarians feel happy and pre school year. For further information please contact the Playgroup manager. ready to successfully integrate into the local community. It is here that I feel I must mention a person from the Funded Places for 2015/16 local community who did and continues to do so much for the Bulgarian community in Scotch Street. He is Joe The SELB has , subject to demand , advised that we can have 10 places next year. It is very important that Garvey and if I may I will detail just some of the things he did for us . Such as : prospective parents register their desire to have their child attend Richmount Playgroup within the timescale laid Free English lessons , Social evenings, Festivals of culture, such as dance, music and food, Regular health checks down by the SELB. The playgroup’s selection procedure will be used where demand exceeds the number of Awareness sessions , Health program including yoga, fitness and much more. available places. Playgroup Expanding People like Joe Garvey are a great example for the Newcomers, which shows them that someone from the local The Playgroup is still committed community is concerned about them and their well-being. to providing playgroup facilities My vision for the further development of the Bulgarian community is good, because the support given to us by for the younger children from 2 the local community will make us more confident on integration and successful integration is beneficial for all of years and 10 months . It hopes to society. We want to play our part in the local economy and contribute to the life of the community. Coming from expand its registration from 16 to a country where economic survival could be difficult we can be fearful of losing our jobs and incomes ,and per- 24 and staff recruitment is under- haps at times we work too hard and for too long but I am told that the people from this part of the Country did the way. When the registration is same when they emigrated to the USA and England . In time we will learn to give ourselves some time to enjoy increased the playgroup will be this beautiful country and its people who have showed us so much kindness. making spaces available. If you Finally I would like to thank you on behalf of the Bulgarian community and to say that we appreciate what you know of any parents who wish all do for us! their child to avail of these places they should contact the play- A new 50in TV to show educational media has just arrived at the playgroup. With the children are Lesley Fulton , manager and deputy manager, Tricia Creaney 14 group manager. 7

Richmount Primary School advancing ahead By : Mark Hall Principal Richmount Archery Club - Join us The entire school community was delighted No experience required . Come & learn. Male & female welcome . (Children over 12 with parent) when we took possession of our new multi- purpose hall on Monday 15th September. We Richmount Archery Club now has two dedicated archery leaders. Mervyn Heggarty and Bobby Carson have now have a facility that is fit for purpose and both recently qualified as archery leaders .Safety is one of can accommodate school dinners, PE etc. The the paramount considerations in archery and it is vital that new build also offers much needed storage and archery sessions are under proper control. The Richmount through the funds allotted by the SELB I have Club is in the process of becoming affiliated to the North- ern Ireland Field Archery Association which also deals been able to purchase staging, chairs and a with the insurance aspects of the sport. The club now data projection system which will be on site needs to be formally constituted but will remain affiliated The new multi purpose hall was carefully designed to blend in with the within the coming weeks. We have now re- to the Community Association. Membership of the NIFAA original school building. It now has a hall which can accommodate its sorted to having one break and lunchtime is £30 per year which covers you to shoot at any NIFAA full assembly, while also providing an indoor sports facility. affiliated club or facility. Richmount has already bows which has reduced disruption to teaching time. Bobby Carson & Mervyn Heggarty have recently Local man was master stonemason, RAF and targets etc. A meeting to formalise the Richmount Now that the hall is complete the builders are concen- Archery Club will be held on Wednesday 14 January qualified as archery leaders following an intensive mechanic and outstanding historian trating their efforts on building the new classroom that 2015 at 7.00pm. All those interested are welcome. NIFAA course. Mr George Robinson, MBE who was born in Cushenny was a leading historian, and took an active role in will accommodate Miss Haslam’s P2 class. This work establishing the museums at Ardress House, Pinebank and is due to be completed prior to the Christmas holidays M & W Tannaghmore. George had a wide and varied career which included and P2 will be using the room from January onwards. One of the Top working on the family farm in his early days, service with I would like to thank all of our parents for their sup- the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and a port and patience thus far with any disruption they Butchers in very successful career with the Historic Monuments Branch of the DoE. have experienced and would thank all those who came Northern Ireland He left the family farm on Friday 10th October to see the new hall. The new M & W Farm Meats is one of shortly after the outbreak of the top 3 butchers in N. Ireland. World War Two to volun- hall and classroom will be formally opened at a date to They were one of the three fi- Order your special Christmas pack now teer for service in the Royal be decided in the new year. Air Force. Most of his ser- nalists in the 2014 Butcher's 3lb lean turkey breast fillet vice, as an aircraft mechan- Shop of the Year Awards. This ic, was in the Far East. amazing feat is due to the hard 3lb gammon Upon leaving the RAF, Mr Robinson returned home and Richmount work of Clayton Moore and his 1lb cocktail sausages entered the employment of local building firm George staff but it is also due to the Hyde. In 1962 he joined the Ancient Monuments Branch. 1lb streaky bacon home reared cattle which are It was here that he spent the most rewarding years of his 11/2lb homemade stuffing working life establishing a unique Ancient Monuments produced for M & W Farm Working together for all in our community Works Depot at Moira. Here he initiated the revival of Meats. All for £24.99 many dying crafts such as that of the stonemason, the In our last issue we advised that an oil buying club is blacksmith, the wood turner and the thatcher. a system whereby we as a group buy the oil at an Until his retirement in 1985, he oversaw the conservation Special Festive Treats advantageous price. However, once you join the oil and restoration of many of Northern Ireland's outstanding cranberry & stuffing monuments and buildings, including Ballycopeland club you are under no commitment to order oil sausages now available Windmill, and the castles at Carrickfergus, Hillsborough, through it. There was a very low response to our re- Narrow Water and Dunluce. He lent his expertise to the quest for people to declare their interest of an oil club Deli Products preservation of the ruins of the old church in Seagoe and without sufficient members the club would not be Churchyard and also gave valuable service in the restora- able to buy in enough quantities to justify a signifi- Magnificent range of deli tion of the War Memorial gates at the entrance to Seagoe cant price reduction. We do need your responses if we products - pop in and see Parish Church. George passed away in 2000. He is are proceed to the next page. If you are interested pictured here at the restoration of Narrow Water Castle. 13 8 please fill in the form on the back page. Thank you.

PTA Coffee Morning

“We’ll walk among the tedded hay” The Hay Days - Farming in Richmount Primary School PTA organised the school’s annual coffee morning. The A ballad by John Clare the 1950s in North Armagh coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care on Friday 10th October was a We'll walk among the tedded hay, tremendous success with just over £500 being raised. We would like to thank all That smells as sweet as flowers; This project gives a living commentary on those who baked buns and cakes and those who came along to enjoy the food and While the meadow water winds its way what life was like living in a rural community fellowship. It was lovely to see so many parents, relatives and friends enjoying our new multi-purpose hall. Beneath the hawthorn bowers. in the 1950s. It looks at farming, home and Thank you once again! And when the bright green haycocks throw social life and the economic conditions prevail- Open Morning Their shadows from the sun, ing at the time. The book attempts to give a When thou art weary there we'll go, The school will be hold- And rest, the heat to shun. flavour of what it was like to live in this period and can serious , satirical and humorous. ing an open morning on We'll to the hawthorn shades retire, Thursday 8th January Where blooms the wild dog rose; The poem which is in the book looks at the And smell the sweetly scented briar, idyllic haymaking scene but ends with “those 2014 from 9 am until Where the shining river flows. pleasant dreams of early youth can never pass 10 am. This open We'll talk o'er joys we once could prove, And blithely spend the day, away” . We all tend to reflect back on the morning is for all pro- For those pleasant dreams of early youth “good old days” but we were young then. The spective parents of P1 Can never pass away book is meant to provoke interest in the era and pupils who will be encourages people to keep the project going Thumbs up for Richmount Primary School: "Building on the past, learning for the present, starting school in by contributing stories and pictures via its preparing for the future" Facebook page which can be accessed on: September 2015. This www.facebook.com/thehaydays1950s will allow parents to see the school at work. Should a parent be unavailable on this day please contact the Principal If you wish send your photos and stories to us and arrange a visit on an alternative date. and we will display them on the Haydays Face- book page and its own dedicated website on: New classroom nearing completion at Richmount Primary www. the haydays.com As part of the ongoing work at Richmount Primary School a new classroom is being constructed and is

due for completion just before Christmas. Miss Haslam and her P2 class cannot wait to move into this new room as they are currently using the school library.

Launch of Children’s Playground for Scotch Street gets a stage further Hay Days The Association’s application to Space & Place has book & video managed to get past the first hurdle but it still faces stiff competition. We This will be the finale to should know if it progresses to the our heritage project the next stage by end DVD and book will be combined. Both are January 2015. If it professional productions and will record an era of does then we start a our past for future generations. We are having the comprehensive launch on Thursday 29 January 2015 starting at consultation with 2.00pm. We will have a barn dance with people The new classroom at Richmount Primary School is the main users– the being asked to dress in 1950s country style . nearing completion. It is hoped that it will be ready for children !! It is Everyone is welcome !! occupation when the children return after the expected that a 12 Christmas holidays suitable playground will cost just under £100,000. 9

Country comes to Town Richmount Fabric Crafts This year Richmount Rural Community Association came to The talents of some of our community came to the fore when the town in force . Not only with a cock of hay on a 1950s hay Richmount Quilters produced this beautiful banner depicting the history cart but it brought a range of entertainers representing of the area. At the top are the former St John’s RC Church which is now some of the different cultures in the area. relocated to the Ulster Folk and Transport museum and the COI Church Together with its partners ABC Community Network with a dove of peace between them indicating the aspiration for peace the Association held centre stage for the morning and harmony between people of different religions. The apple blossom event and then moved some of its acts to the High represents the apple growing in the area. The windmill stump is a local Street Mall and the Meadows Shopping Centre . landmark and the quarries are represented as well together with a The shoppers in the Mall were mesmerised by the representation of a train on the old Derry Line which passed through the elaborate costumes and dancing from Chemshir Bul- area. The centre piece is an oak tree representing all the townlands in the garian dancers and by our percussionist , Wilson Mag- area prefixed with Derry. This is derived from the Irish Doire meaning were , who is from Zimbabwe. And also by musicians Oakwood. Derrylettiff , the road on which our centre is located means Vessie & Nickolov from Bulgaria. Oak wood on one side of the hill. The plaza at the front of St Marks was the “dance

floor ” for Chemshir who performed what to us may The shopping stopped as the crowd watched Plamena and appear an unusual dance armed with wooden spoons. Coldi from Chemshir perform a dance routine in the High Some reference has been made, in good humour, to Street Mall Shopping Centre some well known “stirrers “ on our committee but we have to be mindful of the laws relating to libel !! This event was part of our Culture for All project which has covered many aspects of bringing different cul- tures to the area. The Culture for All Project was funded by the Big lottery.

All the way from the field in Kingarve the cock of hay was brought into town on a traditional hay cart. Joe Garvey, (centre) Chairman ,Richmount Rural Community Association & ABC Community Network with the multi- The magnificent Ford 7000 has been cultural performers : Chemshir Bulgarian dance & music, Pache de Rima, Guinea Bissau, Wilson Magwere , Zimbabwe beautifully restored to its former glory and Virtuosoivonov from Bulgaria. Also in the picture is John McGuiness, Director ABC Community Network 10 11