Creggan News 15 – December 2011

December 21, 2011

Eamonn O’Donnell from North West Taxi Proprietors and Tommy McCallion from the Sports Development Unit DCC pictured with Mayor Maurice Devanney and Danny McCartney, DCC, after receiving the runners up prize while representing the City in the Pride of Place Competition 2011.

North West Taxi Proprietors receive All Ireland Award

The winners of the 2011 Pride of Place Competition run by Cooperation Ireland were announced at a gala celebration ceremony in Gorey, Co. Wexford on Saturday 5 November. More than 500 people from practically every county on the island were in attendance to hear the results of the 9th annual competition.

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan TD along with Co-operation Ireland Chairman Christopher Moran and Pride of Place Committee Chairman Tom Dowling presented the winning groups with their awards.

NWTP received the all Ireland award for their Driving 2 Health programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund which creates opportunity for people to change their lifestyle under supervision of qualified trainers.

Participants are given an MOT Health check then offered the opportunity to join the programme which monitors their BMI (Body Mass Index), Blood sugars, Cholesterol, Lung capacity and resting heart rate. Participants are given a gym membership and put through a rigorous physical exercise programme for 26 weeks and made aware of their eating habits. The programme is mainly aimed at taxi drivers but a number of people from the community have also participated in the D2H programme.

NWTP were runners up in the Cities Competition under Category 4 which was for Community Health Initiatives.

“It is great that the work of both NWTP and the Sports Development is acknowledged by an independent body and that is down to the team effort and partnership of both staffs that have helped to make this a successful programme and I congratulate all of them on winning this award” – Eamonn O’Donnell.

Operation Snowball 2011

Last Christmas was one of the harshest for many years and many of the communities most vulnerable people were adversely affected by the conditions. Community groups and individuals under the ‘Operation Snowball’ initiative were successful in providing many valuable services for the vulnerable throughout the worst of the winter months. This year local Community Groups within the Bogside, Brandywell, Greater Bishop Street, the Fountain and Creggan are organising a continuing winter support programme for older people or those who need it most.

Services we will be providing include the following:
Befriending, this service could provide help such as - Visiting your home for a chat or cup of tea; accompanying you while you shop or shopping for you; Providing you with agency contact details or contacting those agencies on your behalf.

Good Neighbour Scheme
We can provide a meal over the festive period for those who you feel may need it on Xmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Christmas Opening
The Gasyard Centre will be open on the following days:
Wednesday 29th December 1-3pm (to provide a lunch and entertainment); Monday 3rd January 2011 (for the Monday Club).
In the event of extreme weather conditions we will be on hand to carry out duties to include clearing pathways, gritting, leaving out bins etc… If you or anyone you know would like to avail of any of the above services contact Caroline on 077 3824 4747 or at the Gasyard on 7126 2812.
If you would like to volunteer for any of these services or just simply like to be a good neighbour to someone living beside you please contact Caroline on any of the above numbers.

Useful Numbers over the Winter Period

Organisation	Services Provided	Tel No:
Dove House Community Trust	Outreach Support & advice to older/vulnerable people	71269327
Gasyard Centre		71262812
Volunteer Investment Project		07738244747
Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum	Monday Club and range of services for people over 55’s	71365330
Pilot’s Row Centre		71269418
Housing Executive		03448920900
APEX Housing	North & West Housing	71304800
Habinteg Housing		71360015
PSNI	Strand Road	71367337
Community Support Wardens		07709457690
Sinn Fein	Cllr Patricia Logue Mobile Rathmore Office	07851313583 71377551
Community Restorative Justice	Offers help in resolving problems of an anti community nature and victim support	71271131/07835254836
Triax Neighbourhood Management Team	CNP Gasyard Centre	71281900 71261916
Emergency Services	Police, Ambulance & Fire	999
NIE Emergency No		08457643643
NI Water Emergency No		0845744008
DRD Roads Service	Daytime After Hours	02882254111 02882241999
Firmus Energy	Emergencies	0800 002 001
Domestic Violence Helpline Freephone No	24 hrs a day, 7 days a week	08009171414

Latest News from Creggan Country Park

Creggan Country Park opening hours for Christmas and New Year:
Closed 3pm Friday 23rd December 2011 – Will reopen again on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
We would like to wish all our customers and funders a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 2011

Latest News from The Old Library Trust

Healthy Living Centre – New Programmes On Offer – Commencing January 2012

Health based Clinics, on your doorstep:
Starting Afresh – smoking cessation programme in partnership with Sweeney’s Pharmacy;
Diabetes Clinic – walk in service carried out by a specialist nurse for those with type 1 & 2 diabetes;
Derry Breathe Easy – support for those suffering a lung condition.

SWEET Project – a free fun programme for families to become fitter, happier and healthier together, activities include: Outdoor climbing; Hunting for treasure; gymnastics; Crazy Dance; Games; Kickboxing; Team Combat; Cycling; Water games & many more. Register with us for more information.

Health For Life Project (For those aged 60+) includes activities/programmes such as: Foot Care Clinic; Line Dancing; Weekly Lunch Club; Healthy Cooking; Dressmaking; Flower Arranging; Recreational Art; Circuit Exercise; Armchair aerobics; Boccia/Kurling league & practice; Yoga; Evening Drop in club & many more. Transport can be provided with our minibus (available on request). Register with us for more information.

Exercise For All – different activities to suit different people and different abilities:
Spinning, Aerobics, Pilates, Circuit, Combat, Pump, Zumba, Kettlebells.
Step Up – for anyone with a long term condition such as arthritis, diabetes, COPD & depression – can sign up for 12 weeks free exercise with your own personal trainer.
Come to our open day on Monday 9th January were staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have regarding any programme or services.

Meanwhile of you have any questions please feel free to contact us on 7137 3870 or PM us through facebook on OLT Creggan, or even better call into the centre and speak to the staff.

CAWT Obesity Project

Families complete a new, innovative Health Initiative.
Over the last twelve weeks families across Derry and Co. Tyrone have taken part in a new health initiative designed to improve general health and wellbeing. The emphasis has been on the promotion of physical activity, having a well balanced nutritional diet and learning essential cooking skills, as well as educating parents and children on issues around their mental health and sense of wellbeing.

The initiative is being delivered by the Old Library Trust, Healthy Living Centre as part of the EU INTERREG IVA’s UP4IT! Project. The SWEET programme (Safe Wellbeing, Exercise & Eating Together) is a free fun packed programme that helps families become fitter, happier and healthier together. Funding for the project has been secured from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme by Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT), the cross border health services partnership.

The SWEET programme employs two separate approaches. The prevention aspect involves working with families with children aged 0-5 years of age and the intervention element has engaged with families with children aged 8-11 years of age.

Examples of the type of activities that have been carried out include Interactive nutritional quizzes; Supermarket reality tour; Family cycling event; Family pool time; Gymnastics and SWEET’s own “Come Dine with Me” experience.

SWEET programme Co-ordinator George McGowan explains:

“The SWEET programme works with those families most in need of help in the prevention or management of obesity and other underlying accompanying issues. With SWEET, the emphasis is on fun and enjoyment and through these methods we can relay all the important themes and messages to the families involved”

He continued, “The activities are educational for parents, raising their knowledge and understanding of important issues but more importantly giving the whole family a chance to spend quality time together.”

These views on the importance of the programme are echoed by some of the current participants.

Tim, a father, from the Waterside area of the city, who has had difficulties with helping his daughter manage her weight, stressed the importance of such a programme. He said:

“The SWEET programme has given parents like me the opportunity to come together under one roof for one common goal, to help our families and especially our children deal with difficult issues. It is great to finally realise that we are not on our own. My daughter enjoys the programme so much and the craic with the families, children, coaches, staff and tutors makes it all worthwhile.”

The success of the SWEET programme has also been possible by the involvement of the Western Health and Social Care Trust and the willingness of partner organisations to buy into the programme’s aims and objectives and support the delivery, something that project Director Seamas Heaney is delighted with. He added:

“The great thing about the SWEET programme is that parents and children get the opportunity to play and learn together in a variety of setting that are challenging and stimulating allowing them to make slight adjustments to their lifestyles that have long lasting impacts on their future health and wellbeing.”

The SWEET programme will continue in the New Year with the launch of yet another series of programmes with a new set of families getting the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide range healthy lifestyle options designed to put them on a new journey to a healthier and happier future for all the family.

Commenting on the programme, Dr Maura O’Neill, CAWT UP4IT! Chair and Head of Health Improvement WHSCT said, “We are all aware of the need to provide a healthy Home for our family. We are delighted that the SWEET programme is providing local opportunities for families to make their lifestyles healthier. The UP4IT! Project through SWEET supports families to make healthier lifestyle choices by helping them to develop positive healthy life skills. SWEET embodies the UP4IT! approach by working in partnership with the Western Trust and other local organisations to complement and enhance existing services for families.”

If you would like further information on the SWEET programme then contact the SWEET programme co-coordinator George McGowan on 02871 373870 or by email on george@olt.ie.

Christmas books from Guildhall Press

Creggan based community publishing house Guildhall Press have produced three excellent new novels for distribution this Christmas:

1) Derry’s Dance Halls of Romance – by Willie Deery

A fascinating personal account of the dance hall and showband era in Derry and the North West, packed with unique images of the period.

2) Sporting Greats of the North West – by Ritchie Kelly

Selected stories and imagery of the notable sporting achievements of sportsmen, women and teams from across the North West of Ireland down the decades.

3) Moments – Various contributors

A collection of short stories, poetry and drama extracts by participants in the creative writing courses funded by the Arts Council NI and delivered by the Creggan Writing Project at the Rath Mor Centre in Derry’s Creggan.

Books available from Easons Foyleside, Shipquay Books & News, Foyle Books, Tower Museum, DVCB, Museum of Free Derry, Little Acorns Bookstore (Bedlam, Pump Street) or online at www.ghpress.com.

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Creggan News 14 – October 2011

October 30, 2011

CNP GOAL Project News

The GOAL Project “Names and Places Quilt” Launched
One of the difficulties of looking at history in our society is that it often reflects difference and division. The GOAL project, in discussion with a group of participants, decided to look at history in a different way – looking at ourselves and where we live as living history. The purpose of the project was to allow participants to understand the links in our heritage and background from their names and the names of the places familiar to them.

There were difficulties in tracing the roots of some of the names because over the centuries they have been changed so many times in translation. The same has happened with many townlands over generations. Most of the names or words were easily understood in their original context in the oral tradition. A lot of the personal names would have been descriptive of personal features, occupations, or where they were from. . Some of these were quite funny and there were some common traits in the names from both communities. Some of the names were ancient Celtic others had English or Scottish roots and could be traced back to the plantation and some were even names that were brought back at the time of the plantation having left Ireland over a thousand years earlier.

It appears that when it comes to names, we have actually more in common, than separates us. This project highlighted the dangers of trying to identify who belonged to which community, simply by their name. The quilt is the culmination of months of research and craftsmanship. Each piece is personal to its maker. They learned about themselves and their heritage through the translation of their names and the places they were from. Their name or the place they were from, crafted into their own panel. Those involved have found this an interesting and worthwhile project. It sparked in them the urge to do more research. They have stated overwhelmingly that this also created the opportunity to look at the past in a different way, accepting that who we are called, is not necessarily, just who we are, but part of where we have come from as well. We are extremely grateful to Donnachadh O’Baoill for his work on the translations and to the facilitators and participants from Creggan and Lincoln Courts, for this amazing and beautiful piece of artwork.

Goal Project participants and staff

Community Art Project
The GOAL Project also funded a cross-community art project facilitated by CNP co-ordinator Hugh O’Donnell. The project proved popular and was well attended with participants from Creggan and Lincoln Courts in the Waterside. The project was located in the Creggan Country Park and ran throughout the summer.

The GOAL project is supported by the PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Community Relations Council/Border Action Consortium.

Altram – Spraoi Spórt Manual & CD

As part of Spraoi-Spórt’s legacy the Altram team have created a Spraoi-Spórt training manual and accompanying CD. This will provide Naíscoil staff with the information and support necessary to continue the Spraoi-Spórt programme themselves. The training manual will include all the Spraoi-Spórt activities with extensive instructions and the specific language necessary to carry out the activity. The Spraoi-Spórt training manual will be made freely available to every Naíscoil in the region. Spraoi-Spórt is a programme of activities designed to promote physical play and movement. It is essentially a fun-based programme, incorporating songs and games and is designed to complement and enhance existing provision for physical development in Naoiscoils.

Tabhair bronntanas an dátheangachais do do pháiste! / Give your child the gift of a second language!

Since 1985 Naícoil Na Rinne has provided quality Irish Medium early years education in Creggan! Come visit Naíscoil Na Rinne for yourself, explore the beautiful setting and find out just how much we have to offer your child today!

The dedicated and highly qualified staff at Naíscoil Na Rinne provide a unique and enjoyable learning experience for your child. Based in the local community for over 25 years Naíscoil Na Rinne is at the heart of Creggan and would like to be there for the next generation of children! There are immediate places available for the 2010/2011 school year with children aged from 2years and 10 months old welcome today! Opening Hours: 9.30am – 12.00pm, Monday – Friday.
For further formation or to register your child today please contact: Jackie on 075 4329 7973.

Naíscoil Na Rinne
33e Cromore Gardens, Creggan
BT48 9TF

What is Immersion Education?
In the immersion education model pupils learn all subjects through the medium of a designated language. In Irish-medium schools or gaelscoileanna, Irish is the language through which all subjects are taught and all communication is conducted.

Irish becomes the working language of the school. Pupils attending a gaelscoil follow the standard curriculum as laid out by the Department of Education. Through the immersion system pupils achieve a high level of fluency in both English and Irish.

Advantages of Immersion Education:

Some of the documented advantages of immersion education include:-
Greater academic success.
Easier to learn a third and fourth language.
Bilingualism (the ability to speak two languages fluently).
Biliteracy (the ability to read and write in two languages).
Wider communication.
Broader exposure to and appreciation of the value of various cultures

Triax Neighbourhood Management Team Initiatives

Environmental Improvement Scheme – Rinmore - September 2011

Following discussions between local residents, elected representatives, statutory agencies and the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team (TNMT) an action plan was developed to address the ongoing issues of illegal dumping and general neglect of the Rinmore Lanes.
This involved the TNMT and residents leafleting the area (leaflet attached) in advance of tackling the lanes and providing a one off clean up to establish a baseline of good standard.
This was followed up by a focused initiative involving NIHE, DCC and TNMT to de-weed and clean the laneways and residents agreed to monitor and maintain the lanes to this standard, working in the first instance with the TNMT.

Environmental Improvement Scheme – Inveroe Park / Creggan Heights – September 2011

Discussions and meetings between resident, community activists and statutory agencies, particularly Derry City Council (DCC), had been taking place prior to and after the 15th August 2011, when the site was used for a bonfire. Most of the residents were opposed to the bonfire and deeply resented there area being the scene for the gathering, dumping and burning that took place from mid July to the end of September.

Issues:

The maintenance and upkeep of the park, football pitch and surrounding area to minimise its attractiveness as a scene for anti community behaviour.
The problems surrounding the laneway at the back of the houses on Creggan Heights, being used as a site for anti community behaviour,
Access through residents back gardens from this lane onto the heights, particularly no.140.
Presence of derelict sheds at 140 Creggan Heights being used as a gathering point.

Actions:

A meeting was organised with DCC on 15th September on site that involved DCC staff, community activists and c.15 local residents. This enabled residents to make their views known directly to council officers. It was a follow on from local discussions that had involved residents and community workers, and a meeting between those community workers and DCC staff.

Following a broad discussion in which all residents had the chance to make their views known it was agreed there was a need to look at the site in both the short term and long term

Short Term
Within 2 weeks of the meeting DCC would come back with its plan to address the immediate need to make the site safe and ensure it is maintained and cleaned.

Long Term
By December DCC and community workers would seek to have a consultation process under way that would seek to address the long term future of the site, transforming it from a problem to as asset.

Progress

Work on Inveroe Park commenced on 19th September. Ongoing.

Discussions took place with Sean Dolans GAC, owners of the property, about short and long term responses to this problem.

In the short term it was agreed to seek to reduce the attractiveness of the lane to anti community behaviour by top soiling the lane and planting brambles and nettles along its length.
In the long term it is hoped that Sean Dolans will secure funding, already applied for, to erect perimeter fencing around their entire site, thus preventing access to the lane. Short term remedy dependent on completion of steps below (access issues).

Gate secured and padlock provided to resident – completed
Site meeting arranged with NIHE on 26th September regarding the dangerous nature of the sheds. Agreed that these would be removed and a usable garden provided for the tenant.
Site cleared and cleaned by DCC week ending 7th October 2011.
Concept plans being developed by DCC for end of October, TNMT will distribute and initiate community consultation beginning of November.

Creggan Country Park – Horrifying Halloween Activities

Are you brave enough to explore the park after dark?

The Creepy Quest
Friday 28th October 2011, 5pm – 7pm
Are you brave enough to explore the park after dark and discover what wildlife comes out when the sun goes down? Take part in a family treasure hunt and a bat walk at Creggan Country Park.
Don’t forget to come along in your scariest outfits!

This event is suitable for children aged 6 – 11. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. This event is funded by Creggan Country Park and Derry City Council. Contact Karen Healy on 028 71363 133 or email Karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com to book your place early, to avoid disappointment, as limited spaces are available.

The Park after Dark
Friday 28th October 2011, 8pm – 10pm
Discover what comes out when the sun goes down around Hallow’s Eve! This adult only event is not for the faint hearted! Come along to hear the tales of local ghost legends and take part in a spooky bat tour of Creggan Country Park, with the chance to use bat detecting equipment.

This event is funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Derry City Council. Book your place early to avoid disappointment, as limited spaces are available, by contacting Christine Doherty on 02871 365151 or christine.doherty@derrycity.gov.uk

Creggan Country Park is a community business located at the old Creggan Reservoir site in Westway. The site incorporates Glenowen Fisheries and houses a £1.3million activity centre. Visitors can take part in a wide variety of watersports (including canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and pier-jumping) and outdoor pursuit’s activities in a controlled freshwater environment.

The site incorporates a number of eco-friendly features including a wind turbine, hydroelectric scheme, and turf roof and under floor heating. The park also actively promotes the environment through its environmental education programme for schools, “Natures Classroom”.

Horrifying Halloween events are funded by Derry City Council and Creggan Country Park

Parade of Phantoms: Derry Ghostlore

Guildhall Press are frightfully pleased to announce the spooky re-appearance of one of Derry’s most sought-after ghostly collections – Parade of Phantoms: Derry Ghostlore by Peter McCartney. Updated, revised and illustrated throughout with ghoulish graphics and eerie imagery in timely fashion for Hallowe’en 2011, these local tales of terror have been resurrected by popular demand, exactly twenty years after they first rose from the page to terrify and entertain the local population of the city and its environs. This edition combines contemporary and traditional stories of malevolent spirits and classic horrible happenings including: Half-hanged MacNaghten, The Headless Coachman, The Whispering Man, The Demon Bride, Old Foyle’s Legacy, The Blacksmith & the Devil, Banshee Tales, Nightmare on Nelson Street and the Insidious Intruder.

Paul Hippsley, Guildhall Press Manager, explains: “For many years, fireside accounts of the mysterious and the macabre were commonplace in households throughout the city, enthralling and entertaining young and old alike. In tribute to those nostalgic, sadly bygone days, based on the actual experiences and reminiscences of people from different parts of the city, these ‘spirited’ tales take the reader on a terrifying tour of the spectral spectrum – from creaking haunted houses and bloodcurdling noises in the dead of night, to wailing banshees and a parade of other ghostly encounters.

“The mature reader may well reminisce on the thrill of hushed family gatherings listening to softly spoken spine-chilling tales. The younger reader may well experience a frisson of surprise at the nature and extent of the malevolent manifestations and sinister shenanigans occurring in this city – but then again, maybe not! The more discerning reader may well even identify a few uncanny similarities between eerie instances portrayed in some of these stories and eerie instances portrayed in some classic horror films – all the more remarkable given that these tales pre-date the movie counterparts!”

Author Peter McCartney added: “I would like to express my thanks to Guildhall Press and all those people, too numerous to mention, who contributed stories to the original compilations reproduced in this edition. Because of their willingness to share their personal experiences, their stories can be treasured for the terrifying treats they are. These terrible tales are meant to be aired; they are meant to be shared, so read them on your own, or with others, and experience a tingle of terror straight from the ghostly archives of this city of culture.”

One recent reader, who shall remain nameless for fear of being sought out by local demons, shared her thoughts on the book: “I devoured the stories but only in the daylight hours! I have to admit, I hadn’t the nerve to read any of them after dark, as most of the places referred to I know quite well and frequent on a regular basis. It was all too real and my imagination was going rife! It is no wonder that Derry is renowned, the world over, for its spectacular Hallowe’en celebrations and herein lies the evidence of real tales of terror and ghostlore. This is a must-read collection to get you into the spirit for Hallowe’en – quite literally!”
Parade of Phantoms: Derry Ghostlore by Peter McCartney, published by Guildhall Press, is available from Easons Foyleside, Shipquay Books & News, Little Acorns Bookstore (Bedlam), An Cló Ceart and DVCB. Paperback £8.95. For more details please see www.ghpress.com.

For further details, please contact: Guildhall Press, Unit 15 Ráth Mór Business Park, Bligh’s Lane, Derry BT48 0LZ, N Ireland. T: 028 71 364413; E: info@ghpress.com; W: www.ghpress.com

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Creggan News 13 – July 2011

July 7, 2011

CPTT News -

CPTT held their annual adult award ceremony on June 29^th at the Rath-mor Centre. Participants received certificates for Psychology, Photoshop, Start IT, Internet & Email, Counselling, Healthy Lifestyles Programmes, Stress Management, First aid and Drug & Alcohol Awareness course.

Participants received their awards at Rath Mor Centre

Street party Creggan Heights

Creggan Feile Programme

The summer is finally here and Creggan Feile has a packed programme of events for all the family.

Everyone is welcome and all ages are catered for with events that we hope will please the entire community, so come along and enjoy the fun!

To download a copy of the programme click here

Activities include face painting, canoeing, dancing classes, street parties, bus trips and much more!

North West Taxi Proprietors

No pain no gain!

Driving 2 Health Programme

The North West Taxi Proprietors held a residential / boot camp last week in Fermanagh. The purpose of the event was to evaluate progress in the Driving 2 Health programme.

The group looked at progress for the programme by discussing the impacts of the programme on individuals and their opinions of how we further develop the programme and make it better.

Lovely views of Fermanagh countryside

Progress for the individuals was explored by testing them to their limits with five rigorous workouts over a two day period.

On your bike!

The Driving 2 Health programme is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and delivered by NWTP to both taxi drivers and members of the community. It is a 26 week programme that is aimed at changing the lifestyles of those who participate by educating them in health, fitness and nutrition. We work in partnership with the Sports Development Unit of Derry City Council.

The programme has 3 compulsory elements each week; 2 rigorous training sessions in Templemore Sports Complex and a ‘weigh in’ and nutritional talk in Rath Mor. Participants are also expected to attend the gym and swimming pool unsupervised but with a personal training plan at least twice per week. The programme has many great results recorded over a four year period and will run for a further year.

The two day event started within one hour of arriving with an hour session of running, sprinting and stretching. The second training session concentrated on ‘core work’ followed with a trip to the swimming pool.

Going through the pain barrier

Day 2 started with a 6.30am session of Boxercise and running followed by breakfast. At 12 noon there was a gym session, circuits and spinning. This was a heavy session and trainers pushed everyone. At 5 o’clock the group came out thinking they would get an easy finish only to encounter their hardest session of the five. A gruelling circuit was set out using natural resources and the group was put through their paces for another hour.

Everyone completed all 5 sessions, everyone felt the pain! Full credit to all participants for their commitment and effort to the programme, they all exceeded their own expectations of capability. In the back drop of beautiful settings around the lakes of Fermanagh all this training was done.

Latest from Creggan Country Park

A Breath of Fresh Air!

Now that the weather has improved it’s time to get outdoors and get active! Creggan Country Park offers a wide range of activities to suit all ages and abilities.

Get Active at Creggan Country Park

Have a go at canoeing, pier jump or try your hand at raft building.

If watersports aren’t your thing why not take part in team building games with friends and family or if you like a challenge have a go at paintball!

Families can enjoy our new Heritage trail, a treasure hunt style walking route complete with picnic areas and willow domes so you can enjoy lunch in the great outdoors.

Free Maps and activity sheets are available from our Environmental Officer.

‘Don’t bin it Bling it’ event at Creggan Country Park!

Have you ever looked into a wardrobe full of clothes and found yourself saying ‘I have nothing to wear?’ A new Creggan Country Park project could help!

The ‘Don’t bin it Bling it’ is a new project funded by Derry City Council that aims to promote a different kind of recycling and provides an opportunity for participants to learn new craft skills. Learn how to alter clothing; transform jeans into shorts or create a new top from a dress you no longer wear. Fans of Gok Wan will not want to miss this event!

The project promotes Derry City Council’s successful recycling campaign. Recycling is essentially making something old into something new and generates a host of environmental, economic and social benefits. ‘Don’t bin it Bling it’ will encourage people to reuse old clothes by transforming items into on trend fashion!

The first of the unique workshops will take place at Creggan Country Park this summer:

Passion for Fashion Workshop

Thursday 21^st July 2011

6.30pm – 9.30pm

Refreshments included

Participants are advised to bring along 3 items of clothing they would like to transform

The event is free. Advanced booking is essential as places are limited to 15

To book contact our Environmental Officer on 028 71363 133 or email Karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

RSPB Summer Event

Take part in guided walks of the park with RSPB

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and all wildlife.

To promote their work, the RSPB have organised a family fun day at Creggan Country Park on Sunday 24^th July 2011 from 11am – 4pm. Come along Come and enjoy an educational stroll around Creggan Country Park, learn more about local wildlife and take part in a nature trail treasure hunt. Activities and challenges for all ages – with nature themed prizes to be won. Free entry. Everyone welcome.

Help bats avoid CATastrophe this summer

The Northern Ireland Bat group is appealing to cat owners to keep a close eye on their pets this summer.

Millions of families enjoy the companionship and affection of their pet cats. Only when these loveable feline friends bring in a damaged bird or bat as an offering are we reminded that they are natural predators.

NI Bat group need your help this summer

A survey carried out by the Mammal Society suggests that cats could be killing 275 million creatures a year, including a large number of bats. People might wonder how this is possible as cats can’t fly! When insects are flying low or crawling in long grass, bats may come down to ground level to feed and so will be easy prey for cats and they may also hear bats chattering before they emerge from their roost at dusk, and lie in wait. During late July and August in particular the young are still far from perfecting their flying techniques and fall easy prey to a prowling cat. Cat owners can help this summer by following these actions:

Cats do not need to stay out all night. Bring your cat in half an hour before sunset so that bats can emerge undisturbed.
If your cat doesn’t take kindly to this, bring it in half an hour before sunset for at least an hour. Feed it or give it a treat.
If you find it difficult to keep your cat in at night throughout the summer, do try to do it at least from mid June until the end of August. This is when bats are rearing their young.
If your cat has already brought in a bat it is possible that it has found a roost, and may return to it night after night. Then it is essential to keep the cat in all night

At this time of year, people may also come across grounded bats which are likely to be very young or injured. The public are advised to only handle the bat if essential; as with any wild animal use thick gloves. Place the bat in a box and contact your local bat worker immediately. For more information on bats, to request a bat talk or survey for your community group/school or to report grounded bats please call 028 71363 133 or email our Environmental Officer at karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

Enjoy the great outdoors this summer!

Latest offers from Lakeview Cafe

After a long summer walk around the new heritage trail why not treat yourself to a delicious healthy lunch in the café. Choose from a selection of salads, pasta and baked potatoes.

Latest July offers include:

- Soup and sandwich with tea/coffee – £4.50 Served from 12 – 5pm Mon – Sat

- Panini or wrap with chips and can – £4.95 Served from 12 – 5pm Mon – Sat

- Four course Sunday lunch – £9.95 Served from noon – 4.30pm

- Large Fry – £3.95 9 items + tea/coffee and toast Served from 9am – 12noon

McGinley School of Irish Dancing in Oakland Park

Derry City’s latest Irish dancing academy opened it’s doors recently in the heart of Creggan. The McGinley school of Irish dance was set up by local girl Sharon McGinley T.C.R.G. who has a wealth of experience, having danced in all major competitions from an early age. In 2002 she was offered a place in the international hit show RHYTHM OF THE DANCE and toured all over the world with the show for many years.

Now settled back home in her native Derry, Sharon has set up her own dancing school to try to pass on her own experience and enthusiasm to the new generation. Located in Oakland Park community building in Creggan along with Trojans FC she is organising classes which run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Ages start at 3 years old and upward, advanced dancers and beginners welcome. Competition not necessary.

For more information contact Sharon at 07740187779 or e-mail chloe131007@hotmail.com

Surestart Edenballymore

Hi from all the SureStart Edenballymore Team! We’re all set to help keep your little people busy this Summer and we have over 60 fun activities planned throughout July & August including: Family Bus Trips, Tots Rock, Cardboard City, Lets Play Clubs and our ‘Magical Garden’ themed Floats! Come along and enjoy the SureStart fun!

Click here to download a copy of our Summer Newsletter with the programme of events and activities:

To make sure you have all the latest information from SureStart please make sure we have your current details or contact the centre to register on 028 7137 1670 or email julie@surestartebm.com or call into SureStart offices in Central Drive, Creggan, BT48 9QG

We look forward to seeing you at SureStart soon!

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Creggan News 12 – April 2011

April 20, 2011

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People Driven Solutions

– The background to this move comes from a long standing issue over the renovation of homes in the Rinmore Drive and surrounding streets in an multi element scheme which ran into difficulty over two years ago when the NIHE ran out of money to complete the scheme. Local resident Willie Burke explained. “We have been waiting on these house improvements since the mid 1990’s, the whole street was delighted when they announced the beginning of the first phase of the refurbishment. At a public meeting about four years ago the NIHE management outlined the type of scheme and how it was going to go forward. It was big stuff for residents with extended kitchens, new heating systems, rewiring and internal plastering of all homes among the main improvements. They told us that they would do the street in two phases and would most likely start phase two, which included my home, soon after phase one had begun.”

Willie Burke continued “ But as phase one rolled on and there was no sign of phase two beginning the residents began to get anxious as they have been let down before and started to ask questions as to why the phase two had not started. The answers which back from the NIHE management were very non committal at best and at times negative. So at a chance encounter with the DSD Minister Margret Ritchie who was visiting the Corned Beef Tin I asked her directly about phase two, seeking assurances from her that the work would not slip again. Margret Ritchie assured me that she would not allow that to happen. This was great news for us residents but it was short lived as within a couple of weeks NIHE convened a meet to tell us that they had ran out of money and that they could not proceed with the proposed and much needed renovations.”

NIHE and Apex officials reviewing the properties at Rinmore

This news devastated the residents and created a sense of second class citizenship within the street, with two thirds living in improved homes whilst the other residents living in substandard houses which needed changes identified in the 1990’s. But this sparked the residents into action. They carried out a number of protests by way of public meetings, in the street and to the NIHE headquarters in Derry.

But whilst protesting at the treatment of residents and the abandonment of the scheme residents, community representatives and local elected councillors sat down and began to look at solutions and alternatives. Sean McMonagle of the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team said, “while we were deciding next moves like campaigning to Stormont, it was suggested that a similar issue had developed in Creggan Heights and after NW Housing was suggested to take over the scheme, the NIHE ‘found’ the money required to complete the scheme. So using this information as a tactic we approached NIHE first, who I don’t believe took the idea seriously, so we then literally door stepped the Minister who had been visiting Derry and we essentially offered solutions from the community to what was a Government problem.”

NMT staff assisting Rinmore Residents

“This approach set in motion a long consultation process within Government, with NIHE and NW Housing, and within the community among residents and between elected representatives, Government Departments, Housing associations and community representatives which culminated in a vote to each resident affected on whether they were in favour of the switch from NIHE to Apex Housing Association, 89% of residents voted in favour.

Willie Burke continues, “If we are honest we would have preferred that the NIHE carry out the works, this scheme should have been made a priority when they had the money, but it wasn’t a priority to them. It is a priority for us, we have to live in these conditions. I am just glad that there is certainty that the work is going to be done now in the coming months”

With the first batch of residents due to have their houses started by the summer, Sean McMonagle concluded “This is a genuine example of the people in a local community finding solutions to the problems that they face. Residents, community organisations, government bodies and elected reps coming together to enhance the quality of lives of people and delivering on outstanding needs. There is also an opportunity for local regeneration in terms of the improvements, and the new proposed social homes in Culdaff and we will continue our engagements to ensure that social clauses in terms of the employment which will be generated by these works are included in contracts issued giving equal opportunity to members of the community to secure employment by the scheme, this scheme and the proposed development at Circular Road of 180 houses must be about more than that, they can be an opportunity to tackle unemployment in this area, if social conscious exists within Government departments and bodies and the will among Apex housing to look beyond bricks and mortar and include social justice in their objectives by ensuring unemployed getting access to these opportunities. ”

Creggan Country Park – Are you up for a charity challenge?

Creggan Country Park will organise a charity raft race for the Chernobyl Children’s Project International on Saturday 30th April at 1pm.

Creggan Country Park Charity Raft Race

Get some fresh air, enjoy the great outdoors and raise money for the medical programme through which volunteer doctors and nurses provide respite care for children in Belarus.

Teams of 4-6 people will raise £120 to take part in the race (£20 per person).

Teams will design and build their own raft before the big event
To register your team contact us on 028 71363 133 or email info@creggancountrypark.com

Visit our website for more information
www.creggancountrypark.com

Goal Presentation

GOAL Community Leadership Training Project

Goal Presentation

On Wednesday 23rd February young people from the GOAL Community Leadership Training Project to Croatia/Bosnia made a presentation to local schools in the Rath Mor Centre which included students from St. Peters High School (9 students 1staff) St Josephs Boys School (9 students and 1staff) Lisneal College (9 students and 1 staff). An additional 16 people which included staff and volunteers attended this event, 10 from Creggan, 4 from Lincoln Courts and 2 from Lifford/Clonleigh. Additional presentations to other local schools are currently in the planning process.

NWTP - The Biggest Loser

NWTP – The Biggest Loser

Over the last six months six local taxi firms have been competing for the “Biggest Looser Title” and the inaugural winner have been Derry Taxis loosing an impressive 9% total body weight loss, 32 kilos in real terms.

The “Biggest Looser” programme run by North West Taxi Proprietors funded by the Big Lottery Fund and assisted by the Sports Development Unit of Derry City Council has been running in Derry.

NWTP - The Biggest Loser

Derry Taxis, Taxi Co, Glassagh Taxis, Folly Cabs, City Cabs and Thornhill Taxis have all taken part. Four people from each office entered the programme. The programme has been very successful in raising awareness on health issues within these offices and wider taxi industry. All the participants have benefited from the programme health wise. We would like to thank all participants for taking part in the programme.

The individual winner has also hailed from Derry Taxis, Damien Doherty losing a very impressive 13% body weight loss. Whilst Derry Taxis have come out on top there were also special achievements by Folly Cabs. John Quinn who lost a massive 12% of his body weight and Veronica Bradley “Taxi Co” who also lost 11% body weight.

This marks the end of a very intense but enjoyable six month programme but is the start of a new and healthier chapter for all the participants with many of them embarking on new healthy regimes.

NWTP - The Biggest Loser

“NWTP congratulate all the participants on the impressive results from all teams. We especially congratulate Derry Taxis for winning and the individuals with the best results; Damian Doherty, John Quinn and Veronica Bradley.

All participants show improvement and we thank the Big Lottery Fund for creating the opportunity for all the participants through NWTP. We would also like to thank the Sports development Unit for working with us on this programme.

Opportunity now exists for others to participate both in NWTP programmes funded by the Big Lottery Fund and with GP referrals through the Derry City Council to improve health. We encourage others to step up and avail of this opportunity” Eamonn O’Donnell.

There will be a regular ‘weigh in’ every Friday at 11 o’clock in Rath Mor Shopping Centre for the Driving 2 Health Programme. We are now extending the weigh in to include members of the taxi industry and the general public thanks to the Sports Development Unit of Derry City Council.

We encourage everyone to become more aware of their own health. You should watch your diet and exercise more. This can be helped through regular weigh in and getting more nutritional and exercise information at events like we have every Friday. All welcome.

NWTP - The Biggest Loser

SureStart children enjoying play activities

Surestart Edenballymore Programmes – 2011

Hi from all the team at SureStart Edenballymore. We hope that you and your family are well. We have lots of new sessions and events coming to SureStart over the next few months including our Toddle Waddle, PEEP early learning programmes, Urban Play, our annual trip to the zoo and much more!

To make sure you have all the latest information from SureStart please make sure we have your current details or contact the centre to register. We look forward to seeing you at SureStart soon!
Deirdre McDaid, Surestart Manager

If you think you can contribute to our newsletters then please email (reception@surestartbm.com) or call the team (028 7137 1670) any news stories or ideas of features are all gladly received.

Click here to download a copy of our April Newsletter with updated programme of events and activities for 2011.

Register with SureStart Edenballymore to receive information on local services. If you move house, change phone number of other details please let us know so we can keep our information up to date. Thanks!

Click here to download a copy of our April Newsletter with updated programme of events and activities for 2011.

You just contact the SureStart Edenballymore Team on 7137 1670 or call into SureStart offices on Central Drive, Creggan email Julie@surestartebm.com

Come along and enjoy the SureStart fun!

Promoting Positive Options

They have undertaken various programmes around sexual health, sexuality, self esteem, womans health and re-productive rights. This will culminate with the girls participating in a parenting course in volving simulated babies that will be triax wide.

Creggan girls involved in a wide range of programmes aimed at life choices and healthy relationships.

This will see the girls, and boys from the area “partner up” with a young new-born simulated baby and they will be soley responsible for their care from night feeds and changing the nappy to feeding (and for the girls only !!) the wearing of the mothers pack that includes the small bump and actual weight of the baby through the wearing of the a “suit” under their clothing for a small period of time.

The purpose in all of this is to educate and inform our youth so that they are better equipped in making decisions that will affect them the rest of their adult life and beyond.

Creggan Community Allotment

Community allotments springing to life

The allotment on land at rear of Westway was established by the Neighbourhood Management Team. The land in question was an anti social hot spot and the residents were plagued every summer by underage drinking and vandalism. Councillor Kevin Campbell of the NMT got NIHE to fence off the land, at the cost of over £10,000, and the NMT then did a survey last summer of the residents of Westway and secured their agreement and support for the allotment scheme.

Creggan Community Allotment

Last October saw over 12 residents take part in the pilot scheme under the tuition of horticulturist Gareth Austin – the residents planted all sorts of winter vegetables fruit plants and even 6 apple trees. The scheme now has expanded to residents from other areas in the Creggan Estate who have come to the allotment at Westway to learn the art of ‘growing your own’ under the guidance of Gareth. This summer will see the fruition of their work at the allotment. The NMT now intend to expand the scheme to other areas such is the demand for community allotments.

Creggan Community Allotment

Gareth Austin, BBC Radio Foyle correspondant horticulturalist, added:

“So far we have plenty quite and extensive array of fruit, vegetables and herbs. These include Coriander, Thyme, Sage, tarragon, Rosemary, Lavender, Fennel, Parsley, Scallions, Garlic, Red Onions, Broad Beans, Potatoes, Strawberries, Sugersnap Peas, Wallflowers, parsnips, Eating and Cooking Apples, Gooseberries, raspberries and Blackcurrents.

We have recently started to add compost making to the area. I’m delighted by the commitments shown by the gardeners in the scheme, no matter the weather we’ve all been out working together on the allotments, even the set-back from the harsh winter has deterred the crew, simply putting any fatalities down to bad weather and replanting as soon as they could.

The allotments are run in a ‘Sustainble’ fashion, where we plant everything in partnership with nature, working with soil types, insects and wildlife to give greater results for the gardeners.”

GOAL Funday

Goal Funday at Creggan Country Park

At a Fun Day in Creggan Country Park organised by Creggan Neighbourhood Partnerships’ GOAL Project, we were joined for the first time, by young people from Newtowncunningham Community Development Initiative. Young people from Lincoln Courts and Creggan have been working for 2 years within the GOAL Project. After an introductory game and icebreakers, the young people were split into teams so that members from each area were represented within the smaller groups and worked on teambuilding tasks. In a very short space of time the groups became fairly indistinguishable. The groups encouraged and assisted each other through the tasks they were set. They worked extremely well together. The young people will be involved in the GOAL Projects’ Community Relations Programme run over the Summer Holidays. The Fun Day was viewed by them as a great way to meet the new group and they are enthusiastic about working together in the future.

The Old Library Trust – Healthy Living Centre

New Programmes & Services May 2011

The days and getting longer and the weathers getting better so lets make some changes ourselves and do something new? Go on try something new get fit or fell better for the summers just around the corner!

Let us help you! Come along to our open day on Wednesday 4h May from 10am – 1pm & 6pm – 8pm. We are also offering FREE MOT HEALTH CHECKS. We will check your diabetes cholesterol & blood pressure levels as well as your weight and BMI. Drop-in for a chat and a cuppa and see the range of programmes on offer and of course have your MOT health check.

During the days, staff will be on-hand to offer information and advice on programmes and services that are best for you. So if to want to improve your health, improve your education or skills or just take some time out for yourself … come along AND bring a friend with you.
ALL WELCOME!

Starting Afresh

Old Library Trust - Healthy Living Centre

Want To Give Up Smoking?
Want to have a better quality of life?
Fed up spending a fortune on cigarettes?
Don’t know how to Quit?

We can help you along the way – providing you with information and advice as well as tips and tricks about how to give up smoking for good. We have a smoking cessation clinic every Wednesday 12noon – 1pm & 6.30-7.30. The clinic is run by a specialised smoking cessation nurse (daytime) & pharmacist (evening) who can prescribe you nicotine replacement such as patches, inhalers & chewing gum. This service is run in partnership with the Public health Agency & Lloyds Pharmacy.

Health For Life Gets Its Wheels

Good news folks we now have wheels! The Health For Life project has secured funding from Big Lottery Fund for a 16 seater minibus which is wheelchair accessible. So for those that don’t know about “Health For Life” its for those over 60, helping you to get out and about, meet new people, helping you to improve your health and learn new skills.

We have classes such as art, quilting, sewing, flower arranging and drama, with opportunities to take part in regular exercise such as yoga, armchair exercises, dancing, walking and we can even provide you with a personal training if you have a long term condition such as arthritis, diabetes, stress and depression.

If you are interested in health for life of if you would just more information about what’s on or would like to give us ideas on what we can do for you contact Una or Donna on 71373870 or even better call into the centre

Know Your Numbers – Diabetes Clinic

Do you suffer from type 1 or 2 Diabetes? If so then come along to our diabetes clinic every Wednesday 10am-12noon. The clinic is run a specialised diabetes nurse who can you advise on how to better manage your condition. The clinic is free of charge and no appointment is necessary. This clinic is run is partnership with the Public Health Agency.

Creggan Country Park

Creggan Country Park – Events and Activities Spring/Summer 2011

New Price List 2011
Creggan Country Park has now launched the new price list for all activities in 2011.
You can view our new price list online at www.creggancountrypark.com

Paintball in the Park

Paintball at Creggan Country Park
Looking for an adventure outdoors? Why not give paintball a go!

1 ½ hour session £15 per person
(price includes 100 paint balls)
£6 for refills of 100 paint balls
MINIMUM OF 10 PARTICIPANTS – MAXIMUM OF 25 PARTICIPANTS
AGE REQUIREMENT – 12+ (Parental Consent may be required)

Volunteering opportunities at Creggan Country Park
Creggan Country Park offers volunteering opportunities and student placements in environmental conservation. Learn how to plant trees, sow wildflower seeds, build nest boxes and take part in active volunteering including path maintenance, clean ups and woodland management. If you would like more information on upcoming volunteering events contact our Environmental officer on 028 7136 3133 or email Karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

‘Nature’s Classroom’ update for teachers and youth leaders
Free workshops are available for primary and secondary schools, scouts and youth groups this month:
- Guided Heritage Tour of Creggan Country Park
- Bake a cake for birds (can be delivered in school)
- Biodiversity talk and tour (can be delivered in school)

Latest News from Lakeview Café and Bar
Now taking bookings for Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday
Delicious four course meal for only £9.95
Early booking is advisable
Served from 12noon – 4.30pm

McGinley School of Irish Dancing in Oakland Park

For more information contact Sharon at 07740187779 or e-mail chloe131007@hotmail.com

GOAL Project review – A Time to Speak – The Story of Helen Lewis, “A Holocaust Survivor”

On Friday 8th April the Goal Project took 19 participants to the Playhouse Theatre for a performance of play based on the story of Holocaust Survivor, Helen Lewis.

The play, adapted from her memoir “A Time to Speak” was the sharing of her experience, without undertones of bitterness or anger. What makes this different from other first–hand accounts of the Holocaust is Lewis’ ability to see humanity where, in all fairness, she had no right to see it. She refuses to dehumanise the very people who were trying to dehumanise her.

Against a background of projected film vignettes and an intermittent soundtrack the story unfolds: The happy memories of childhood changed forever, by the dream of being a dancer, when she first listened to the melody of the waltz. A dance teacher who first thought she was awkward but saw in her potential, that 3 years of teaching, pushing and commitment would refine her raw talent to performance standard. The meeting and friendship with the music instructor Paul who she would eventually marry in 1938 and later lose in the death camp at Auschwitz. Her early involvement in dance, the politics of the time. The Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

The story continues with the impact of anti-Semitic policies. The introduction of the ubiquitous Jewish star. The establishment of the Terezn Ghetto about 40 miles outside Prague, originally a barracks and labour camp, built for 600, it would hold over 80,000 Jews.

She speaks in equal measure of cruelty and kindness, hope and despair. The ever present hunger and the kindness of one of the guard called Kate, who shortly after her arrival brought her to the ramparts of the ghetto where she danced as she listened to a makeshift orchestra practice for a “Christmas concert”. The few guards who eventually saved the lives of many Jews, one of whom, set up a work party to build a pointless wall, rather than have them carrying the stones from one place to another until they dropped dead from exhaustion.

While in the Ghetto, Helen became very sick, Fortunately they had their own clinic which was staffed by detained Jewish medical staff. With crude equipment, little anaesthetic or antiseptic they performed a delicate operation guided only by text from a medical journal and she survived. The operation almost crippled her, but for the dedicated intervention and care of the medical staff she would never have walked nor certainly danced again.

Eventually she recovered. Shortly after her recovery came the shipment to Auschwitz which left her face to face with Dr Mengela/ Dr Death, amid the death and horror of that place she was to escape death twice in the selection process. Two years after her arrival she was one of the very few who eventually were put on a train out of Auschwitz. Taken to Stutthof in Northern Poland to build an airstrip. As the Red Army approached the airfield was abandoned and they were force-marched towards Germany. Only once, during this last ordeal, with liberation in sight, did Helen Lewis lose the will to live – ‘I pulled the blanket over my face and gave up’ – but, somehow, she kept going. On the march she escaped, aided by an SS officer who decided to look the other way.

This was an amazing and powerful portrayal of a life, that in her own words, “Would have been so different and could have ended so short if it had not been for her love of dance”. This was a story of luck, pain, misery, determination and courage that enthralled the audience and impacted on them deeply. Not a performance to enjoy but a powerful insight into the cruelty of anti-Semitism, the structured and organised system of mass murder that was the Holocaust and the role of chance and the determination of Helen Lewis to survive and also to dance.

When the Second World War ended, she returned to Prague to learn that her husband had not survived. In 1947 she married Harry, an old friend who had escaped to Belfast just before the start of the war, and settled there with him the same year. After the birth of their two sons, she became involved in dance again, choreographing for theatre and opera, and her teaching eventually led to the foundation of the Belfast Modern Dance Group. Helen Lewis died on New Years Eve 2009, at the age of 93.

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Creggan News 11 – January 2011

January 4, 2011

The Big Freeze

The snow, ice and freezing fog combined to create a very picturesque but hazardous environment over the Christmas period. Many residents in the Creggan area opted to spend as much time as possible indoors to avoid the harsh climate. Those forced to face the elements to make it to or from work or school were met with traffic chaos and dangerous travel conditions. Many elderly residents were subsequently made housebound by the weather and depended greatly on the kindness and efforts of their family, friends and the local community to get through the bad spell. CNP wish to thank the many individuals and community organisations who worked together to help the vulnerable members of the community throughout the Christmas period, and we hope everyone had a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.

St Mary's Church and Bishop's Field enjoying the white Christmas.

Operation Snowball – Volunteers Should Be Very Proud

Cllr. Kevin Campbell of the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team has paid tribute to the volunteers and community workers who assisted in the first phase of Operation Snowball in the Triax area.

“I would like to pay tribute to all the people who actively played a role in our collective efforts at attempting to minimise the impact of cold weather upon those most in need in our communities. I would particularly like to pay tribute to the many residents and young people who volunteered over the course of the last two weeks right across the Creggan Bogside and Brandywell areas.

Creggan Volunteers help clear the snow and ice to improve walking conditions for Creggan pedestrians.

People engaged in Gritting pathways, visiting, and fetching messages for our older residents, ensuring they had a hot meal targeting at those who become particularly vulnerable at this time.”

Cllr Campbell continued, “The volunteers along with the staff members of the different community groups on days put in 12 hour shifts in reaching those who needed or requested assistance. The volunteers should be very proud of their efforts and the feed back we have been receiving right across the community tells us that the people in the area are immensely thankful and indeed proud to be living in a community which holds such considerate and socially minded individuals.

The Sinn Féin Councillor concluded by highlighting we could be faced with similar weather conditions in the coming days and again be putting in place actions to off set the impact. “We will mobilise as a community again to give whatever assistance we can. I would ask people in the community to assist us in continuing to identify neighbours in need of help to contact us at the neighbourhood centres, we are in this for the long haul right over the winter period.”

NWTP Programmes – 2011

NWTP continue to work on behalf of the local taxi industry and are funded under the Big Lottery Fund.

Currently we are working on 5 themes; Health, Education, Income & Employment, Influencing Government Policy and Volunteering.

NWTP members getting fit and staying active!

We have successfully run 3 MOT Health checks and 3 Driving 2 Health Programmes in the last year. Many participants have greatly benefited from the experience. We intend to enhance our efforts this year and increase benefit to participants. We will be running an MOT and follow up with a Driving 2 Health Programme early in the New Year. People wishing to participate need to commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week. The fitness end of the programme will be run in Templemore Sports Complex in the Lifestyle Gym. Anyone interested should attend the MOT and contact our office in Rath Mor (02871 362556).

NWTP members getting fit and staying active!

In education last year we ran a number of programmes. We are running a new innovative approach to essential skills using M learning – Mobile Learning using mobile phones and PDA’s. We also delivered a number of unaccredited computer courses for beginners – starter courses that were basic but got people introduced to technology like the internet, email and Skype. A number of senior citizens picked up on these courses and have bought computers to work at home. So all you taxi drivers with student children or family abroad should look up the courses like Skype — free calls on your computer. We also run taxi training covering Disability Awareness. Again this is accredited training, available this year. We are currently developing new taxi training covering Health & Safety, Customer Service, Tourism, Defensive Driving and Transporting Children. More information on this will be made available when they come online. Anyone seeking computer courses, taxi training or essential skills classes should contact our office.

Income & Employment is a very popular service. Mainly covering Tax Returns and Tax Credit but also covering related issues. Anyone who is a client of NWTP should contact the office in Rath Mor to ensure that your affairs are up to date as 31st January 2011 is a cut off date and will incur penalties.

NWTP continue to influence government policy. Last year we met the DOE on a number of occasions dealing with implementation of the Taxis Act. We are not happy with the speed of implementation. We have also been assured that implementation on the main issues in the Taxis Act will begin. 2011 should see the secondary legislation for Operator Licensing being put in place around April. The Taxi Index Cost Report should be progressed this year. There is a survey on taxi costs being done by PA Consulting that all taxi drivers should complete. This piece of work will do the science to work out what is a fair fare. Taxi drivers need proper wages!

Our Volunteering has continued with the Taxi Watch Programme. We have 60 volunteers trained and equipped to make an intervention if necessary. We hope to have a new volunteer project up and running in 2011 and we look forward to that being supported as well as Taxi Watch. More training will be available this year for Taxi Watch.

NWTP would like to take this opportunity to thank all who participated in programmes in 2010 and encourage more people to access the programmes in 2011. We would also like to thank the Big Lottery Fund for supporting our project and all who work in partnership with us.

SureStart Baby Massage

Surestart Edenballymore Programmes – 2011

We would like to wish all SureStart Edenballymore’s children and families a very Happy 2011. We hope you had a good Christmas and managed through the snow!

SureStart Edenballymore works to support all pregnant women and families who have a preschool child or children (0-4 years) and who live in SureStart Edenballymore’s area including Bogside & Brandywell, Creggan, Fountain and Bishop Street & Foyle Road areas. We can never stress enough that SureStart Edenballymore is your Project-it belongs to parents and children in this area, so if you have views, suggestions or would like to get more involved please give us a call on 7137 1670 or call into the office on Central Drive, Creggan.

Don’t Forget

Click here to download a copy of our January Newsletter with updated programme of events and activities for 2011.

You just contact the SureStart Edenballymore Team on 7137 1670 or call into SureStart offices on Central Drive, Creggan email Julie@surestartebm.com

Come along and enjoy the SureStart fun!

The Bishops Field Takes Shape

Creggan residents can’t help but have noticed the recent developments at the Bishop’s Field site in the estate.
The site, which greets visitors to the estate coming up Eastway, had been neglected and run down for many years with a dilapidated play park and two football pitches the only facilities there.

That situation is about to change dramatically as the new state-of-the-art play park at the Bishop’s Field nears completion.

Local councillor and member of the Triax neighbourhood management team, Kevin Campbell, said the campaign to secure the new play facility was long and hard.

“For many years we were not happy with the level of play facilities in Creggan and decided to make a determined effort to address the problem.

Working in association with Derry City Council, the Department for Social Development, Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership and local residents we developed plans for completely transforming the Bishop’s Field. It is these plans that are now coming to fruition,” he said.

Colr. Campbell said the new play facility is something that everyone in the estate can be proud of. “Many people thought we were mad and a few told us we would never succeed but anyone who has been in Creggan over the last few months will have seen for themselves the new Bishop’s Field taking shape before their eyes.

“Instead of the wee boat and a couple of swings we will soon have a modern, safe, state of the art play facility for children, young people and their parents to enjoy. This will be complemented by totally landscaped walkways and seating, together with a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) that will provide at long last a play area and facility that we can all be proud of,” he explained.

Work began at the Bishop’s Field site last year and colr. Campbell said he is looking forward to seeing children using the new facilities.

“When we cut the soil on the site in 2009 it marked a very real sense of beginning and we were delighted to be joined with local schoolchildren at the ground breaking ceremony. We will be even more delighted to see these same local children and their parents enjoy the magnificent facilities that will soon be opened,” he said.

He also said the progress at the new park has been made through the co-operation of various agencies. “The redevelopment of the Bishop’s Field has long been a priority for the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team, and other community organisations and residents groups in Creggan. We are now seeing the culmination of years of lobbying and hard work and it is only right that as we prepare to celebrate the opening of the new Bishop’s Field, we also remember the work of all those who strived to make this a reality.

“Without the support of the local community and the vital support of the Department for Social Development and Derry City Council, who between them contributed almost £1 million to redevelop the Bishop’s Field, we would still have the wee boat, a couple of swings and not much else. That was never good enough for the children of Creggan. I for one am proud to have been involved in delivering the new Bishop’s Field for the children, young people and parents of Creggan,” he said.

Baby Its Cold Outside – Keep Well Over the Winter Weather

Baby, it’s cold outside… as the famous songs sings, not only for babies – a warning especially for our older residents to take notice too. The real cold snap may be over but it may not be the last of the bad weather we see this winter.

Certainly, the ice and snow that winter brings make falls and other accidents a problem for older people. But there is an important, less obvious danger that many older people may not be aware of. Older people are especially vulnerable to accidental hypothermia, a below-normal body temperature (typically 95°F or less) that can be life-threatening.

If your less active and generate less body heat as a result you can develop accidental hypothermia even after exposure to relatively mild cold weather or a small drop in temperature.

How can you reduce the chances of getting accidental hypothermia?

• Recognise if you are at risk and take precautions to keep warm even in a mildly cold climate.
• Dress warmly in layers of clothing whether you’re indoors or outside
• Wear a hat, gloves, and other cold weather gear
• Stay warm in bed by wearing enough clothing and using blankets
• Keep active
• Eat a balanced diet
• Remember that body temperature can fall from drinking alcohol, being sick, or taking medicines
• Ask a friend or neighbour to look in on you periodically during a cold spell or call Health For Life on 71373870 who can help you.

Accidental hypothermia can be fatal if not detected and treated promptly. If you suspect that a friend or relative may have hypothermia, take the person’s temperature. A temperature below 96°F will not register on an oral thermometer, a good sign the person should be taken to a hospital.

Other warning signs of the condition include a slow irregular heartbeat, slurred speech, very slow breathing, sluggishness, or confusion. Any of these symptoms warrant emergency medical treatment.

Treatment involves rewarming the body, preferably under a doctor’s supervision in a hospital. Until then, keep the person wrapped in a blanket to stay warm and dry. Chances for a complete recovery are best when the person’s temperature has not dropped below 90°F and they are otherwise in good health.

The Old Library Trust Health for Life Project in partnership with Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership has been helping the older reseidents of Creggan over the difficult weather period. Everyone registered with Health for Life has received a phone call to check if they are coping ok with the cold weather and to check if anyone needs any everyday essentials such as milk, bread and butter. In addition to this house pathways have been cleared and gritted if needed by staff and volunteers at Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership.

Trojans Youth and Community Group

Oakland’s Football Experience
With the redevelopment at Oakland Park of the new housing, children’s play park, community centre and the football pitch being completed, Trojans in conjunction with the Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership moved into the Oakland Park Community Centre as sitting tenants in March 2009. The two storey building now acts as our home base for Trojans Youth & Community Group. At present we open on Monday and Wednesday nights and then again on Saturday afternoons for the youth of the area. Line dancers take center stage every Tuesday night whilst the McGinley School of Irish dancers hold classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Derry City Council from time to time organise and host educational workshops at the Centre. The IFA has earlier in 2010 held a Level Two Coaching Award course at Oakland. North-West housing hold their meetings with residents of the housing at Oakland Park. Oakland Park once the home of Derry Rovers, Athletic and Albion has long been associated with football, many a class footballer has strode out onto the pitches that were there over the years. Today we have Creggan’s longest surviving football team TROJANS firmly established at Oakland and, the future is looking very bright for both the location and football, especially youth football.

Trojans National League team 2010/11

Trojans enter the NIBFA NYL
A few months back we made a decision to enter a football team into the 2010/11 NIBFA National Youth League. We entered the U12 (1998) youth football team and were granted entry into the U13 (1998) Division Two for this season. Thoughts about any level of success were only steered towards doing well and perhaps winning a few games hopefully at home in Creggan. The NYL offered the opportunity to provide games for our members against other teams throughout N. Ireland and perhaps even one or two senior Irish Senior clubs.

Trojans have been able to highlight a new direction for our young members and we want to develop the players through their participation in the NYL. Trojans have for many years been well know throughout youth football circles especially when playing in NIBFA KO Cup competitions. The profile of the club has without doubt been raised by entry into the NYL.

Senior Irish League Clubs Visit Oakland
With the NYL coming to Oakland, a few were a little worried about games being played at Oakland. Questions about it’s location and suitability were taken into consideration. However Trojans remained confident that it would prove successful. The first four HOME games matched Trojans up with Limavady, Coleraine, Crusaders and Portadown. Who’d have believed it, Crusaders from North Belfast and Portadown coming to play football in the heart of the Creggan Estate. The young Trojans players have acquitted themselves very well and even won three of their games against the above. All four Irish League clubs arrived, played the games and were hosted upstairs with post-match refreshments all provided by members of the Trojans family.

Hospitality
Each week for their Home game a number of parents take turns to make and provide sandwiches etc for every player, every traveling supporter, every home supporter and the match referee. In these moments they all forget about the match and just simply hang out, have a chat and enjoy the hospitality.

The walls upstairs are covered with framed football jerseys donated to Trojans by their former members who all played youth football whilst at the club, Cormac Burke, Gerard Doherty, Kevin Deery, Darren Kelly, Owen Morrison, Paddy McLaughlin, James McClean have donated their club/international jerseys and together with the many pennants also on display, it’s certainly a welcoming environment.

Gerry McCauley Festival
Gerry was a member of Trojans since way back in the 70’s playing on the left wing and even between the sticks. He also assisted with any overnight stays, trips to Dublin / Liverpool or summer camps. A few years back we lost Gerry to a accident near his home but, we wanted everyone to remember his name and association with the club. In recent times we held a yearly U10 football tournament and once we became established at Oakland, decided to move the programme up there. It was also decided to change the playing format and in September of 2010 the new Gerry McAuley Festival of Games came to be.

Trojans U8's prepare for their first game in Gerry McAuley Festival

Thirteen U8 teams arrived to play small-sided game of football. Following a series of game every players was presented with a medal/ribbon. For many team this was their first visit to Oakland and many members of Gerry’s family were in attendance on the day. For over two hours Oakland echoed to the sound of cheers as almost 200 young children played their hearts out. The teams included Institute, Maiden City, Sion Swifts, Buncrana Hearts, Culmore Youth, Don Boscos, Foyle Harps, TOTHC, Oxford, Tristar, Ballymoor and Trojans. Oakland once more proved itself to be a great location for sporting occasions. This is something that Trojans will host each year, as we remember one of our own, Gerry McAuley.

Foyle Cup
Trojans also host games at the Foyle Cup at Oakland and this is a honour we are delighted to receive. The pitch and the large spacious changing rooms (it’s a pity that we’ve only got two) are well received by visiting teams including Wolves, Sheffield Utd, Hearts, Coleraine, Derry City, Oxford Utd Stars, Ramapo Valley (USA). Upstairs in the Community Centre, Trojans are in a unique position of having a kitchen with sitting for up to sixty persons. During the Foyle Cup, all match officials, cross-channel League scouts are well looked after by a team of ladies lead by Kitty Wright, who’s been a life time servant to Trojans. The teams are also looked after making, the location one of the favourite venues for the Foyle Cup Tournament.

Gerry Colhoun - caught doing a bit of hard graft during the cold snap.

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Creggan News 10 – September 2010

October 1, 2010

Kosovo Group Visits Creggan

The group visited various projects and venues in the city as part of a fact finding mission. In its own words “NDI is working with emerging Kosovar political leaders to learn how Northern Ireland partisans put aside divisive conflict to cooperate on issues of citizen interest.” Helping citizens engage in their country’s political process is one goal of NDI programs. While in the city the group visited the Ráth Mór Centre and met with representatives of Creggan Enterprises Ltd, The Pat Finucane Centre and The Bloody Sunday Families Support Service.

The Goal Project hosted a visit by a study group from Kosovo. The delegation included politicians and community representatives from the Albanian, Serb and Ashkali communities and the Program Manager of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), based in Pristina.The group visited various projects and venues in the city as part of a fact finding mission. In its own words “NDI is working with emerging Kosovar political leaders to learn how Northern Ireland partisans put aside divisive conflict to cooperate on issues of citizen interest.” Helping citizens engage in their country’s political process is one goal of NDI programs. While in the city the group visited the Ráth Mór Centre and met with representatives of Creggan Enterprises Ltd, The Pat Finucane Centre and The Bloody Sunday Families Support Service.

European Youth Capital 2013

St Mary's students attending a workshop in the Ebrington Centre.

Students from St. Mary’s College participating in the European Youth Capital 2013 conference in the Ebrington Centre recently. The conference and bid to get the European Youth Capital awarded to Derry was organised by the successful City of Culture team in partnership with a number of groups and organisations including Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership.The C.N.P. Co-ordinator, Hugh O’Donnell and C.N.P. Youth Intervention Officer, Ciaran Wilkinson were part of the team organising the event which gave young people from schools, youth clubs and youth groups a voice in deciding what they hoped to achieve or gain from winning the bid, making Derry the European Youth Capital in 2013.

St Mary's students attending the European Youth Capital 2013 conference in Ebrington.

Creggan Preschool & TrainingTrust

Students - hard at work

CREGGAN COURSES

Creggan Preschool & Training Trust will be enrolling for the adult education programmes over the coming week and as usual there should be something for everyone!

I.C.T.
We have various ICT programmes available – Word-processing, Internet & Email, Start I.T. and we are also offering a new 10 week course in Keyboard skills, many people fall at the first hurdle when learning computer skills and therefore become frustrated because they feel too slow! Completing this course will give the student the confidence they need to progress onto the next level.

The Photoshop for beginners course will be offered again this term and will give participants the know-how when transferring images from your camera to the computer.

Return To Learn
Basic English and Basic Maths courses will be offered this term, both classes will run over 15 weeks and will be offered on different mornings for those wishing to participate in both classes.

Family Support & Health Programmes
The ever popular Healthy Eating & Weight Management course will continue this term and will cover: Weight Management, Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles, User Friendly Health-Food Plan, Budgeting, Cookery Workshops and Healthy Snacks & Lunch Boxes for kids.

Also on offer will be Yoga, Stress Management, Child Psychology and the Parenting programme

In conjunction with the Dove House LAEP project we have delivered a 15 week accredited Counselling Course, the participants will receive their qualification from CPCAB this summer and we hope to offer this course again this term due to popular demand.

In addition to this we are offering a new 10 week course in Listening Skills.

All of the programmes at CPTT offer crèche facilities, although booking in advance is advised as places are limited.

Drop-in Creche
CPTT also operate a drop-in crèche, Monday – Friday 10- 12 noon and 1 -3 pm, if you need a bit of time for yourself, need to attend an appointment or would like to see your wee one participate in our structured programme of play alongside other 0-3 year olds then call and book a session!

Parent & Toddler
Open as usual every Friday morning, drop in, meet other parents, take part in the programme of parent and child activities or just enjoy a cup of tea and a chat!

If you are interested in any of the above call at the centre CPTT 13 Cromore Gardens, Creggan, telephone Louise 71267060 or email louise@cpttderry.org.

SureStart Edenballymore

Children enjoying the fun at Surestart Edenballymore

Come along and enjoy the SureStart fun!

You just contact the SureStart Edenballymore Team on 7137 1670 or call into SureStart offices on Central Drive, Creggan or email Julie@surestartebm.com

What’s on at a Glance September-December 2010

Get Active at Creggan Country Park

Creggan Country Park

Creggan Active Families Programme

Creggan Country Park’s Active families programme was officially launched this month at a free fun day for families on Saturday 4th September 2010. Parents and their teens enjoyed free canoeing and team building sessions and got the chance to learn more about our exciting programme due to begin on Saturday 25th September 2010 at 2pm.

Our Active Families Programme is a 10-12 week course that aims to help prevent Coronary Heart Disease, one of the biggest killers in the WHSSB area. The programme is based around role modelling and involves parents/guardians and teenagers to participant in fun topics that promotes positive, healthy lifestyle choices, through encouraging increased levels of physical activity, adopting healthy-eating lifestyles, raising awareness of the affects of drugs, alcohol & smoking and investigating how stressful life’s challenges may be, and how this can affect our overall health and well-being.

Creggan Country Park’s Active Families Programme is designed to highlight to families that physical activity can be fun and is something the whole family can enjoy! Families will take part in raft building, tree planting, treasure hunt, indoor games and much more!

There are still spaces left on the programme; contact our Active Families trainer to obtain an application form: Karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

The Active Families Programme is funded by the Public Health Agency West and Western Group Environmental Health Service.

Creggan Paintball

A new activity for those who love adventure! Perfect for Hen and Stag parties!
Minimum group number of 10 required to book and we can cater for groups of up to 25 participants.
This activity is for participants aged 16+yrs.
We can provide various packages for participants of all ages and abilities.
Prior booking is required so it’s probably best to get in touch to discuss your specific requirements.
Cost: £15 per person for 1.5hr session – Includes equipment, gear & 100 paint balls
Refills cost £6 for 100 paint balls

REMEMBER – BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
For more information or to book call us on 028 71363 133 or email admin@creggancountrypark.com

Courses on offer at Creggan Country Park

Love water sports? Then why not take part in some courses to enhance your skills!
- Level 1 Canoe Coach
- Star 1 and 2 Paddlesport
- Aquatic First Aid
- Manual Handling
- Child Protection Awareness

If you are interested in registering for any of the courses contact us on 028 71363 133 or email info@creggancountrypark.com

Creggan Country Park scoops another award!

Creggan Country Park and St Peter’s High School have been awarded the NI Housing Executive’s Community Education Partnership Award! This award is offered to groups who clearly demonstrate a commitment to fostering social enterprise through collaborative partnership between schools/colleges and individuals/groups in a Housing Executive estate.

St Peter’s High School’s award winning project ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ looked at a wide range of environmental issues including climate change, renewable energy, bat conservation, tree planting, community clean ups/recycling and protecting the Irish hare. Creggan Country Park’s Environmental Officer was on hand to deliver workshops and talks to pupils and offer support during the project. To obtain this award the social enterprise is considered to be innovative activity that aims to tackle social or environmental issues within the community.

Representatives from both St Peter’s High School and Creggan Country Park will attend an awards ceremony at the NI Housing Executive Headquarters in Belfast on Monday 18th October.

Make your CV stand out – Volunteer at Creggan Country Park!

Creggan Country Park’s volunteer programme is aimed at people of all ages interested in working in the great outdoors. Get some valuable experience working in environmental conservation, outdoor pursuits or marketing and make your CV stand out from the rest!

If you are interested in our volunteer programme contact our Environmental Officer on 028 71363 133 or email karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

Creggan Country Park has also teamed up with Volunteer Now for an upcoming volunteer event. As part of Age Awareness Week, Volunteer Now with support from the Northwest Volunteer Centre and Business in the Community is calling on over 50s throughout Northern Ireland to join them for a great day out and to try their hand at volunteering!

The One Good Reason Action Day, taking place on Wednesday 29 September, offers over 50s the chance to give something back to the many charities and voluntary organisations that provide vital services within their local community. Gardening, painting, paired reading with children in local primary schools and conservation work is just some of the volunteering opportunities available across various locations in Northern Ireland, including Derry. Participants can set themselves up with a free breakfast in these areas from 8.30am before volunteering from 10am – 1pm. Everyone will be made very welcome, whether they come along by themselves, as a group, sports club or employer.

So if you would like to volunteer at Creggan Country Park contact Helen Connolly on on 02890 200858 or email helen.connolly@volunteernow.co.uk .

What’s on guide launched for Derry

Entertainment and event options in the city will be only a couple of mouse clicks away with the launch on-line ‘Derry-Londonderry What’s On’ guide and iPhone app this month.

Whether your particular interest is in art exhibitions, concerts, drama, or sporting events or if you are looking for the best venues for a spot of shopping, relaxing meal or drink then simply go to www.whatsonderrylondonderry.com and you’re sure to find something to your taste.

The online ‘What’s On Guide’ is divided up into a range of categories to make user browsing simple and informative. With an option to search by category, date, and keyword and a top-five recommended upcoming events, in a matter of seconds users can identify the venue or event they want and plan their night out, day trip or business visit. Users can also view locations on Google Maps, as well as sharing events with friends and family on their Facebook or Twitter accounts.

So go online and be the first to find out what’s on at Creggan Country Park and other venues across Derry!

North West Taxi Proprietors launch their throw line initiative at Ráth Mór.

NWTP – Taxi Watch

On Thursday 23rd September 2010 ten taxi drivers in the Derry area came forward at Creggan Country Park to be trained and receive their equipment to enable them to make an intervention if they come across someone in distress in the water.

The ‘Taxi Watch’ programme came about from taxi drivers discussing harrowing incidents where taxi drivers witnessed people attempting suicide or accidentally falling into the river and on occasion’s people dying. NWTP developed a programme around taxi drivers being trained and equipped to respond in such incidents. There is a very small window of opportunity in these cases and we feel that this programme affords people the opportunity to make a difference while keeping themselves safe.

The training for this programme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the equipment was funded by the Western Health & Social Care Trust and in the past by ESB Ireland.

NWTP throw line in action at Creggan Country Park.

Taxi drivers receive practical training and learn to throw the line at someone in the water in a controlled environment. We have a qualified trainer and lifeguard present during training. Training is provided by the City of Derry Sub Aqua Club.

Afterwards taxi drivers receive health & safety advice and instructions from the trainer in a short presentation.

Not only does this programme train and equip people for intervention but it raises the awareness within the community about the issue of suicide.

NWTP also facilitate people to do ‘ASIST’ (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) training and ‘Safe Talk’ which is a shortened version of ASIST. Both these programmes prepare people to make the intervention while people are only talking about suicide where as Taxi Watch is about reacting after an attempt or an accident and someone is in the water.

One throw line has been used in a real live situation. A taxi driver crossing Craigavon Bridge saw an incident in progress. A man was in the water under the bridge. He used his equipment and training and made an intervention. A life was saved.

This programme is not about replacing any other services or voluntary groups out there, it is about enhancing the response to people in need in a very focused way. Like I said there is a small window of opportunity unless the equipment is there and a trained person to use it then the opportunity is missed. This is an opportunity for the like of taxi drivers to volunteer in the community while at work. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our funders The Big Lottery Fund, Western Health & Social Care Trust and ESB Ireland for allowing us to develop this programme. Help save a life!

Any taxi driver wishing to volunteer in the community through these programmes should contact NWTP at 02871362556 or call to our offices in Rath Mor.

GOAL Project

The Goal Project has been hosting a series of cross community and cross border cultural & heritage day trips to places of historical interest including Lifford Courthouse and Ulster American Folk Park for the senior residents of Creggan, Lincoln Courts and Lifford/Clonliegh. These have been extremely successful with over 50 in attendance for each trip and will continue through to September 2010.

Seniors enjoying a GOAL Project trip

At the beginning of June 2010 there was a cross community, cross border follow up trip to Dublin. The group visited the National History Museum at Collins Barracks and Arbour Hill followed by a Historical walking tour of Dublin City centre.

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Creggan News 9 – July 2010

July 7, 2010

Creggan Féile and Summer Programme 2010.

This year the Creggan community is offered one of the best Summer Programmes and Féile events for many years aimed at building upon the great community spirit which already exists in the area.

The Summer and Féile Programme 2010 has been organised in partnership with local community, voluntary and youth organisations in the area. CNP, SureStart Edenballymore, St Mary’s YC, Old Library Trust, Sean Dolan’s GAC, Creggan Youth Drop In, Creggan Country Park, Trojans and other partner organisations in the Bogside and Brandywell, including the Gasyard Trust, Dove House, BBI, B&B Health Forum and Triax, have all collaborated to schedule a wide choice of summer activities that will offer something to all the community.

Street party Creggan Heights

‘Identity’ is the theme of this year’s programme, and we have events for babies through to our older residents and everyone else in between. As Identity is the key theme, a lot of the activities will be street based with area-wide showcase finals in activities such as football, raft building, basketball, crafts and float building to name but a few. Identity is about who we are as individuals and who we are as a community – proud of who we are and where we live.

It is in that spirit that we call on you – residents, young people and organisations within the area – to participate in the activities. Volunteer, organise and make the Creggan Summer and Féile Programme 2010 one to remember and build upon for future years.

Carnival Parade and Fun Day

This year will see a Carnival Parade and Fun Day at the Bishop’s Field on Sunday 15 August. This is a departure from the usual individual street parties that the Féile has assisted for the last number of years. The demand for these street parties has spread resources too thin in the past and we recognise that some areas of Creggan did not see any benefit from these separate festivities. The Féile organisers have therefore consulted with the individual streets and the vast majority are in favour of the centralised carnival.

Party Time

As part of the Carnival Parade, we are calling on streets to organise floats and fancy-dress outfits around themes of your choice. We want to see colourful, creative, or just plain crazy and funny outfits, props and floats. The Carnival Parade will give each street the opportunity to showcase their creativity and present a fun and positive image to all. The parade will travel from the Beechwood Shops to Central Drive via Broadway, Iniscarn Road, Circular Road, Creggan Heights, Fanad Drive and into Central Drive to the Bishop’s Field. The best theme/float will then be judged and the individual awards presented for particularly colourful or inventive creations and outfits.

The end of the Carnival Parade will signal the beginning of the Carnival Fun Day. Carnival stalls, games, competitions, barbecues, bouncy castles, face painters etc will be in abundance. The Carnival Fun Day will cater for all ages – girls and boys, men and women.

One of the highlights of the Carnival Fun Day will be the showcasing of Creggan’s Got Talent! We will be inviting singers, dancers, gymnasts, musicians, Irish dancers, jugglers and anyone else who may have a talented dog, cat or even hamster to participate! It will be loads of fun for all involved and great entertainment for the audience. To register for Creggan’s Got Talent! contact the Corn Beef Tin at T: 7128 1900.

Summer Programme Registration

Fun for the whole family!

It is important for all children to be registered onto the Summer Programme The organisers are therefore calling on all children aged 5 to 16 to register as soon as possible. The programme will see activities take place in the Corn Beef Tin, St Mary’s YC and Pilot’s Row Centre in Rossville Street. The programme consists of a multitude of activities to cater for all needs and interests. The Summer Programme will be organising its own bus runs for registered children and young people. It will also be providing a number of Family Bus Trips outside the area, which will provide the opportunity for parents to travel with their children to a number of destinations for fun days and general family entertainment.

Street Super Teams – Organise Now

Family Fun Day

As part of this year’s Summer and Féile programme we’re calling on every street to organise their own teams to participate in a range of activities and compete in inter-street competitions and Creggan-wide showcase events.

Volunteers, residents and parents will help to organise children and young people in your street to engage in football, basketball, indoor sports, raft building, trolley/Go-Kart building, fishing, carnival float building, craft making and many more activities.

Click Here to download Full Programme

Coaches, instructors and mechanics will give expert advice and assistance throughout July in ensuring the maximum results for the efforts put into the particular activities and events. As each street develops and hones its skills in the different activities, the Féile will showcase finals week giving each team and street the opportunity to compete for the Creggan Super Team title. These series of finals will lead to the Total Wipe Out Finale at the Sean Dolan’s GAC grounds, featuring an exciting assault course and challenging problem-solving games. The Super Team winners will then be announced at the Carnival Fun Day.

The Super Teams idea can only happen if you, as residents, organise your particular street. The Summer Programme and Féile staff and volunteers guarantee their full assistance and free use of whatever resources are available. We appeal to everyone, young and old, to register and become involved.

Organise now! Contact the Corn Beef Tin at T: 7128 1900.

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Creggan News 8 – March 2010

March 3, 2010

Education Minister launches pioneering Altram Irish Immersion Certificate

Altram, the training and support consortium for Irish-medium early years education, unveiled their recently developed Certificate in Irish Immersion Education-Early Years on Wednesday the 10th of February at Altram’s Training Facility in the Ráth Mór Centre in Derry. The Minister for Education, Caitríona Ruane MLA officially launched the course with the aid of officials from the North West Regional College and many interested education workers and parents.

Altram had identified a crucial gap in training for the highly specialised skills of language immersion methodology within the sector. Our Chair, Áine Andrews, developed a training manual, Two Windows on the World, with the support of Irish language organisations and the Department of Education. Following its publication in 2006, we sought partners to develop a suitable qualification, and, with the University of Ulster, the North West Regional College, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (the Council for Irish-Medium Education) and ULTACH Trust, set up a Project Development Team to progress the qualification, which was awarded accreditation by UU in the summer of 2008. The first course, which was over-subscribed, began in September 2009 under the auspices of the North West Regional College.

This course is highly innovative. It is the first of its kind in the UK or in Ireland; indeed we are not aware of any similar qualification anywhere else in the world. It has attracted interest in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland and is beginning to come to the attention of other minority language communities in other countries. Much of the methodology could also be relevant to the educational needs of children from minority ethnic backgrounds who do not speak English.

To enhance the practical skills on which the course focuses, a room in Altram’s training and language centre was fitted out to reproduce the early years language immersion setting. The centre also provides a resource for adult training which encompasses a lending library and other age and language appropriate resources that are specific to Irish immersion early years care and education, such as, for example, a wide range of story boards developed by Altram, as well as high tech training resources such as digital projectors.

For any enquiries regarding this course please contact Altram on 028 7136 3703.

A Warm Response Amidst the Recent Cold Snap

Local community activists assist in snow and ice clearance during the recent big freeze.

When most of Derry was shivering under the recent cold snap community groups in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city took to the streets and led from the front. Gritting driveways and pathways for older residents, phoning and knocking at doors to ensure people were alright or accompanying gritting vans through the streets all added up to at least one warm spot in the recent freeze.

The good works were organised across the city by a range of community groups.

Triax area

The Triax area saw a coming together of a host of groups with the lead being taken by the Triax Neighbourhood Management and Community Restorative Justice (CRJ).

Speaking about efforts in Creggan Sean McMonagle of the Triax NMT said:

“The decision to assist with the gritting of streets and paths was taken after we were inundated with reports of residents struggling to get out of their streets and even houses. With the help of volunteers across the estate we were able to get to large areas of Creggan and provide re-assurance to many older and vulnerable residents that help was available if required.”

“To compound the issue road service gritting crews came under attack from youths throwing missiles at them in Creggan. This resulted in the service being withdrawn but again the community was not found wanting. In response to the attacks Tony O’Doherty from CRJ, organised a rota in which volunteers would accompany Road Service as they carried out their duties. As a result the gritting crews felt safe enough to resume the service.”

Sean Collins, of Community Restorative Justice, who led the gritting efforts in the Bogside and Brandywell said:

“It was clear by mid week that older residents in particular were in danger of being stranded at home and we targeted areas with large numbers of older residents. Places like Glenanne, Alexander Cottages and St Columb’s Wells, to name a few, were our first priority and with the assistance of Roads Service and most importantly, the local community, we were able to grit pavements across the district.”

“This work was then complemented later in the week by a concerted effort by all community groups in the area who got together to contact hundreds of residents across the district. Dove House and the BB Health Forum led this effort and together we established a weekend service to provide reassurance to residents.”

Citywide

Noel McCartney, the Derry co-ordinator of CRJ continued:

“Whilst our group was involved in efforts in the Triax area we also spearheaded similar efforts in other areas of the town, specifically Ballymagroarty where the work was organised by Mark Doherty and in Shantallow by Stella Mc Cauley.”

A Park to be Proud of!

Work Commences on Creggan Play Park

Background & Introduction

On Monday 25^th January 2010 workmen began fencing off the Bishop’s Field in Creggan. In the coming months the residents of Creggan will see a brand new state of the art play park built and extensive landscaping work take place. The project, which has been advanced by the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team and which is supported by the Department of Social Development and Derry City Council, will see the lack of play facilities in Creggan addressed.

Kevin Campbell NMT, Gerry MacLochlainn Derry City Council and Charles Lamberton, Triax Strategy manager, looking at plans for Bishops Field in 2009

Speaking as the work commenced on the site Kevin Campbell, a Creggan Councillor who also works for the Triax Neighbourhood Management Team said:

“Over the next seven or eight months the Bishops Field will be entirely reshaped and the play park and landscaping will see its transformation into a state of the art facility for all of Creggan. It has been a long process and it is great to be here now to welcome what I would call the beginning of the end.”

“With the support of local residents we have secured funding from the Department of Social Development and Derry City Council to realise what has been an objective of the NMT for some years now, namely the provision of first class play facilities for the children and young people of Creggan.”

“This is another important milestone in the redevelopment of the Creggan area. This development follows the refurbishment and upgrading of the pitches at the Bishops Field in July last year and will be another welcome facility for the people of Creggan.”

The Redevelopment

The work that has begun at the Bishops Field site in Creggan will see the transformation of the area from a largely unused and run down green area into a state of the art play park and kickabout area.

Redevelopment of Bishop's Field underway.

This phase of the development will see the construction of toddler and junior play area, a sand carpet kickabout area and landscaping. It will also see the construction of new pathways through the site that will continue to facilitate the traditional footfall through the area.

It also builds on the refurbishment of the pitches at Bishops Field which was completed last July and which was also supported by Derry City Council, the Department of Social development and Sport Northern Ireland. Work continues to secure the final funding for the MUGA facility on the site.

As work commenced Cllr Campbell was quick to condemn what he described as “opportunistic vandalism” at the site. Cllr Campbell said:

“This park has been too long fought for to be put in jeopardy by the mindless actions of a few vandals. I’ve met with the contractors in the past week and with a number of residents and we are determined that the actions of a tiny minority will not jeopardise the creation of a park which all of Creggan can be proud of. We will be visiting local schools and youth clubs to emphasise the importance of letting the workmen get on with their jobs and I’m confident that this facility will enhance the lives of the people of Creggan. I’m calling on those who have been involved to stop and am calling on parents to know where their children are at and what they are doing. We cannot allow a handful of negative young people to destroy this opportunity for Creggan.”

Right Click here and ‘Save Target As’ to download a PDF of the redevelopment plan.

Creggan Community Welcomes INLA Decision

Welcoming the recent announcement from the INLA that it has put its weapons beyond use and confirmed that its armed struggle is over, Conal McFeely, Creggan Enterprises said,

“We can confirm that Creggan Enterprises were part of a Joint Facilitation Group that also included, the Dialogue Advisory Group, Amsterdam, and The Irish Congress of Trade Unions that assisted the Irish National Liberation Army in putting weapons under its control beyond use. To enable this process to be completed in accordance with international standards, we – the Joint Facilitation Group – transferred the weapons to the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and witnessed the weapons being put beyond use.

The key to any process of conflict resolution must recognise the needs of all groups and fully respects and values different political opinion given the diversity of community allegiances. All processes should be inclusive if any political route map is to bring about sustainable economic, social and political change. This is essential in underpinning peace building and community cohesion.

Let us all build from this positive leadership decision by the INLA by:

Supporting those most affected by conflict to rebuild their lives and to bring about greater community cohesion, by addressing the economic and social injustices and tackle the core issues of a divided society and build a society based on the principles of equality and social justice”

Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership (CNP) commends all parties who brought about this historic decision.

This announcement can only be viewed as a good news story and should be welcomed and built upon.

GOAL Project – Black Hut Book a great success

At the launch of the Memories of the Black Hut publication recently. L-R: Phil Cunningham, Conal McFeely, Jon McCourt, Terry McCloskey, Joe McAllister, Shaun Doherty and Carol Cunningham.

The first project of the GOAL initiative was a walk to the the Black Hut at Killea by Creggan Residents during the summer. This was a cross border reminiscence project supported by people from the Creggan Estate and Donegal (Killea area).

At 2.00pm on the 9^th of August round 70 people gathered in Sean Dolan’s G.A.C. car park. Their ages spanned from six months to seventy + years of age.

At 2.10pm the group moved off in great spirits. The youngest walker was 9 years old. The yarns started almost straight away, scanning the horizon, the older folk were pointing out the sites of long gone landmarks. The names of families and houses all long gone. The well where they used to get spring water on the way out, now closed up. They were predicting every bend and hill on the road.

Memories start flooding back of friends and family and the fun of doing it just because they could. They talked of smuggling, courting couples, Peggy’s Leg, Brandy Balls, Real Clove Rock, stories from people with over half a century of memory to recall. By the time we got to the site of the Black Hut a marquee had been erected, the musicians were already there and we were met by a group of around 20 people, including a group of former pupils from a primary school class in the 1940’s, all from the local area. After introductions, the stories and missing years were caught up on. Looking at faces, that through the mists of time still seemed familiar.

Discussions on the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, sweets, smuggling, customs men, B-men, fella’s, girls, it all opened up. Then the Army came and it stopped, although by all accounts the Black hut stayed open for a few years after that, but its heyday was past. The Hut itself is gone, sort of, a skin of blocks and render cover it now, painted cream, but I am assured that under it all is the original Black Hut preserved for posterity. It still performs its original function.

The Hut which is beside the Killea Reservoir consisted of three small bedrooms and a kitchen was built and lived in by the Lynch family who vacated it and went to live on a nearby farm. It was one of quite a few that were built in the 1940/50s on the Republic side of the border due to a severe lack of proper housing. Johnny Doherty the watchman/caretaker of the Killea Reservoir later moved into it.

The Hut is in the Republic but it is owned by the DoE Water Service in the North and the Border rather than running along a road or other distinctive feature runs through the middle of the reservoir. This caused some difficulty with the arrival of the British Army in the North in 1969 when they were frequently accused of trespass and border incursion. Eventually this was rather crudely resolved when the Army cratered the road to make it impassable to traffic. They eventually blocked access to it by putting concrete Dragons teeth on the road and that was the death knell for the Black Hut.

The GOAL project subsequently produced a publication with contributions from Phil Cunningham, Cora Baker and Hugh Gallagher to name a few. The publication was a huge success and people expressed an interest in this free publication from far and wide.

Click here to view the publication.

NWTP Project Update

NWTP continue to work on behalf of the local taxi industry and are funded under the Big Lottery Fund.

Currently we are working on 5 themes; Health, Education, Income & Employment, Influencing Government Policy and Volunteering.

We have successfully run an MOT Health check and Driving 2 Health Programme last year. Participants have benefited from the experience. We intend to enhance our efforts this year and increase participation. We will run an MOT in the Gas Yard on the 20th January and follow up with a Driving 2 Health Programme. People wishing to participate need to commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week. The fitness end of the programme will be run in Templemore Sports Complex. Anyone interested should attend the MOT and contact our office in Rath Mor.

In education last year we ran an accredited computer course in conjunction with the tech (NIFE) which also dealt with essential skills. We also ran a number of non accredited computer courses. These courses were beginners courses covering using the internet, emailing, Word, Excel and basic accounts. This year we are adding SKYPE for beginners. So all you taxi drivers with student children or family abroad should look up this new course—free calls on your computer. We run taxi training covering Disability Awareness. Again this was accredited training. This is also available this year. We are currently developing new taxi training covering Health & Safety, Customer Service, Tourism, Defensive Driving and Transporting Children. More information on this will be made available when they come online. Anyone seeking taxi training or essential skills classes should contact our office.

Income & Employment is a very popular service. Mainly covering Tax Returns and Tax Credit but also covering related issues.

NWTP continue to influence government policy. Last year we met the DOE on a number of occasions dealing with implementation of the Taxis Act. We are not happy with the speed of implementation. We met Minister Sammy Wilson in July 09. The DOE have told us that there will be a new Taxi Enforcement Unit in the Northwest this year. We have also been assured that implementation on the main issues in the Taxis Act will begin.

A new Registration Scheme is about to get underway. The DOE will write out to all taxi offices in the near future and ask them to register with them. This is a precursor to Operator Licensing. We encourage all offices to fill out the simple form and return it. You will receive further correspondence about Operator Licensing once registered. Sole operators (taxi drivers not working in an office) will need to contact DOE for a form @ 028 90540089.

Our Volunteering has increased with Taxi Co. Putting 16 men forward along with some from Glassagh Taxis for the Taxi Watch Programme.

More training will be available this year.

Creggan Country Park Update

Solar Power? A ray of light in the fight against climate change!

Creggan Country Park has teamed up with Transition Derry to deliver a solar power workshop so that people can learn how it is installed and find out if it really works! Have you thought about installing solar panels but felt daunted about finding the most suitable system for your house, by the cost and the installation process?

Cye Bannon, an engineer and environmentalist, has recently installed a solar evacuated tube setup at his own house in Belfast, and has trained in the other main solar thermal technologies. He is keen to share his knowledge and experience. In this workshop he will be explaining his idea for a NI solar co-operative aimed at supporting DIY installation of solar thermal (domestic water heating).

WHERE: – Creggan Country Park, Westway, Creggan, Derry

WHEN: – Saturday 13th March 2010

TIME: – 9.30am – 11.30am

COST: £5 per person

To book your place please contact Karen Healy, Creggan Country Park

028 7136 3133 or e-mail: karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

Go online at www.creggancountrypark.com and htpp:transitionderry.ning.com for more information

Education and Eco Schools Programme

Creggan Country Park’s Environmental Education programme ‘Nature’s Classroom’ is available for schools and community groups to take part in a wide range of activities to learn about local wildlife. February/March workshops include:

• Biodiversity, Birds, Bats and Barn Owls talk followed by the popular activity ‘Bake for Birds’

• Bat Box Challenge – To be held throughout March and April 2010 – To book a place, choose a date that suits your group and contact us on 028 71363 133. More details below.

• Planting activities at your school, community centre or at Creggan Country Park. (Trees are available free to participating groups) The Environmental Officer will provide all equipment and instructions during the planting sessions. If you would like to receive trees for your school or community group contact us on 028 71363 133 or email karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

Bat Box Challenge 2010

Building Bat Boxes? Bat should be good craic!

It’s that time of year again when we think about making new homes for wildlife. Creggan Country Park will host the 2nd Bat Box Challenge throughout March to create maternity boxes and hibernation boxes for local bat species.

Creggan Country Park invites local schools, community groups and members of the general public to take part in this year’s Bat Box Challenge event.

The event will run throughout March and April. Through the Bat Box Challenge you will learn how to create a bat box from scratch, learn about bat species recorded at Creggan Country Park and help our Environmental Officer site your bat box on our 100-acre site. Afterwards you can enjoy some refreshments in our activity centre.

We want to involve as many schools/community groups as possible so we will leave the date up to you! Choose the date that suits your group and then contact our Environmental Officer on 028 71363 133 or email Karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com to book your free place. (Please book a week in advance prior to date of activity

Saturday Club

Bored on Saturday mornings? Come to our Sensational Saturday Club throughout the Winter Months

Aged 7-15? Why not try out fun activities at Creggan Country Park

For just £6 come and get a taster of all the activities we have to offer all through January/February at Creggan Country Park. We even have indoor activities available for the coldest winter days!

Activities available every Saturday between 10am-12noon

Conference Facilities at Creggan Country Park

Planning a conference, meeting, Christening or birthday party? Creggan Country Park can create the perfect setting for any function with our modern conference facilities, located in the Creggan Country Park Activity Centre. With state of the art audio-visual equipment and convenient catering facilities available, our conference package will ensure your function goes to plan.

• 1 hour – £15

• Full Day – £75

To book contact us on 028 71363 133 or email info@creggancountrypark.com

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Creggan News – December 2009

December 21, 2009

CPTT 20th Birthday Celebrations

The Minister for the Department of Social Development, Margaret Ritchie visited Creggan on 10th of December 2009 to attend Creggan Pre-school and Training Trust’s 20th birthday celebrations. The group came perilously close to closing in the past year, but thanks to their steadfast commitment to provide a much needed service and with the outpouring of local community support, Margaret Ritchie was convinced that funding the operation was necessary and vital to the provision of childcare services in the area. Speaking at the 20th birthday celebrations, Margaret Ritchie said that she was delighted to be able to provide funding for another two years to keep such a valuable community resource open. Other speakers included Mark Durkan, M.P. for Foyle, Paul Fleming, Mayor of Derry and Nuala Crilly, Chairperson of CPTT. Also in attendance were Pat Ramsey MLA, Paul McNaught, D.S.D, Jim Clifford, Derry City Councillor and Hugh O’Donnell, Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership, along with a large crowd of CPTT supporters and well-wishers.

Green Communities Training Programme

Creggan Country Park has teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust and Northern Ireland Housing Executive to run a FREE ‘Green Communities’ Training event in the New Year. The training course is ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to cut costs and carbon in the home and at work. Participants will learn how to carry out an energy audit, find out about funding available for renewable energy/energy efficiency and learn about the Housing Executive’s Warmer Homes Scheme.

Our Green Communities training programme will take place on Friday 15th January 2010 from 9.45am- 4pm. Refreshments will also be provided.

Representatives from the Energy Saving Trust and NI Housing Executive will be present to answer any questions you might have and to find out if you qualify for a warmer homes grant.

Contents of the day

• Introduction to Green Communities
• Monitoring consumption
• Energy auditing
• Renewable energy feasibility
• Introduction to Warmer Homes scheme
• Funding available

What you will learn:
• The services that Green Communities offers and what it can do for you
• The principles of energy monitoring and consumption analysis
• How to understand meter readings and bills
• What is involved in an energy audit
• How to identify and control of different types of heating
• Which types of heating are efficient and appropriate, depending on needs
• Specific issues relating to heat loss and insulation
• Opportunities for reducing consumption and increasing energy efficiency, including efficient lighting and controls
• The basics of some small scale renewable energy technologies
• How an auditing project could benefit your community and how Green Communities and other organisations can support your project
• Information on current funding available for renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Information on Housing Executive’s ‘Warmer Homes’ scheme.

To book your place contact Karen on 028 71363 133 or email Karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

Some of the crowd in attendance at the GOAL project Black Hut Reminiscence Walk recently. GOAL project intend to publish a book on the material sourced from the project.

Some of the crowd in attendance at the GOAL project Black Hut Reminiscence Walk recently.The GOAL project intend to publish a book on the material sourced from the initiative.

GOAL Project to publish Black Hut Book

Families from Creggan took part in this because of their strong history and life experiences during the late 1960’s and 1970’s. During this time many Protestants who lived in Creggan community left because of civil unrest & we believe these people who were friends and neighbours prior to the troubles will be merged in stories & reminiscence that this walk has evoked.

This in turn has led to a programme of reconnection that will establish a group of people who will in turn be facilitated in a process of reminiscence & storytelling that will be recorded in book form which will be facilitated by a number of local community dramatists/writers. The book is due to be published for Christmas and will contain a number of photographs old and new celebrating the history of the Creggan area, the black hut and more recent shots of the GOAL summer walk.

Social Housing plan gets a boost

Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership (CNP) welcomes the announcement by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA that the European Investment Bank plans to invest £30million towards Social Housing projects including a number in the northwest.

Creggan remains by some distance the area with the largest demand for social housing in the Derry area, and the area which experiences the lowest turnover of vacancies. Information recently received by CNP indicates that waiting list statistics for the Creggan area are as follows:

1 bed applicants: 254 cases (72 of which have full Homeless status)
2 bed applicants: 256 cases (141 of which have full Homeless status
3 bed applicants: 74 cases (36 of which have full Homeless status)
4 bed applicants: 15 cases (6 of which have full Homeless status)
5+ bed applicants: 2 cases

Given that we have 601 cases pending in creggan CNP believes that the provision of additional social housing in the estate is badly needed and the financial support through this intervention for North & West housing will open the way for local needs to be met. We would also hope that this will provide an opportunity to get the local construction industry back to work.

We also believe that the obvious solution to the crisis in Creggan is the release of additional land for social housing. We are aware that substantial land banks are owned by local community groups and we would urge planners, Council and others to work to facilitate the use of these lands for community benefit. With the estate surrounded by greenbelt it is imperative that the planners look at the situation to the rear of Creggan and begin the process of removing this obstacle to growth and development.

Creggan’s Cracking Christmas Planting Party!

Local young people who attended the Christmas Tree Planting Party at Creggan Country Park recently

It’s that time of year again when the days are shorter, the air is cooler and everyone starts preparing for the festive season. At Creggan Country Park attention is focused on our annual tree planting event.

On Friday 4th December between 2pm – 4pm the local community had the chance to plant their own tree and enjoyed hot soup and tea afterwards at our annual Cracking Christmas Planting Party.

From Monday 30th November – Friday 4th December 280 school pupils from across the City also planted their own tree to help local wildlife and get some fresh air in the great outdoors!

Throughout the week 300 native trees were planted on the 100-acre site including Oak, Rose dog, Hawthorn and Rowan.

In years to come the new trees will provide the perfect habitat for birds, bats and invertebrates at Creggan Country Park.

Our Cracking Christmas Planting Party is funded by the Big Lottery Fund Breathing Places programme!

Santa on the Lake

Santa will arrive in Creggan Country Park on his speedboat.

Come and see Father Christmas arrive by speedboat at Creggan Country Park!!!!

When: Saturday 12th December 2009 at 12 noon
Where: Creggan Country Park

Visit our magical grotto complete with elves and let Christmas really begin!

Our Santa Package:
All good girls and boys will receive a gift from Mr Claus plus a professional photograph along with a kiddies meal and drink served by our seasonal characters in the restaurant.

All this for a credit crunching £9.95 per child and £3.50 per adult – Adults receive our signature hot chocolate and cake.
Opening Times: 11am – 6pm - 12th- 20th December inclusive
Large parties welcome but please book in advance. Contact Creggan Country Park on 028 71363 133.

CORE (Creating Opportunities for Returning to Education)

The main purpose of the Core project is to encourage participants who are unemployed, economically inactive and at risk of scoial exclusion to begin a process of learning, which will take them from no or poor qualifications to formal accredited learning, further and higher education and ultimatley employment.

The Core project will build confidence, self esteem, essential skills, and educational attainment to assist them onto the pathway to sustainable employment. This project will do so based upon the needs of the target group and on the basis of equal opportunities and equality.

The CORE Project intends to incorporate a combination of personal development, confidence-building, team-working, and practical skills through active participation in educational programmes which are tailored to both the needs and career aspirations of the participant.

For those who are unsure of a career path the project will also offer an option for progression towards third level education via a foundation degree.

The CORE project will target Women, lone parents, older workers and young people who are not in education, training or who are unemployed.

The CORE project will offer a number of courses:

MOUS (miscrosoft office specialist core modules, the participants will gain expertise in Word, Excel and Power point
CLAIT
GCSE English and Maths
Businness Administration/ Book keeping
New Opportunities Course- developing interpersonal skills, developing study skills, developing customer service skills, personal budgeting and money management and spelling techniques and problems
Essential Skills- English (literacy) and Maths (Numeracy)
Beginners Irish

All those registering on any course will also receive career progression training, CV writing and interview skills and will be supported in moving towards further education, training and employment.

Participants should be unemployed or working less than 16 hrs and will receive childcare/dependent support where applicable.

Anyone interested in enrolling on this course or wishing to discuss any aspect of the project should contact Pádraigín or Brónagh @ CNP T: 7128 1900.

CORE is supported by the Department for Social Development, the EU Social Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning.

Positive Women

Positive Relations - Providing IT and Essential Skills for women

Positive Relations is a new project being facilitated by Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership. As this programme is funded by Training for Women Network under Peace III funding, programmes are only available for women.

It offers programmes such as:

Personal Development
Confidence Building

It also provides an opportunity to take part in new and challenging accredited programmes such as

OCR Level 2 Peace and Reconciliation
OCR Level 3 Peace and Reconciliation
Political Training provided by WiP – Women into Politics

All programmes are free with limited places available places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

For more information or to reserve your place please contact Shauna Deery on 028 71281900 or

by email – shauna@cregganneighbourhood.com

The above programmes are presented in partnership with the North West Regional College. There are limited places available. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. For more information, or to reserve your place, please contact: Shauna Deery on (028) 7128 1900 or E: shaunadeery@hotmail.com. Cover fees apply with the possibility of concessionary fees where applicable.

This project is funded by Training for Women Network under Peace III funding.

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Your Community – Your News

North West Taxi Proprietors receive All Ireland Award

Operation Snowball 2011

Useful Numbers over the Winter Period

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CAWT Obesity Project

Christmas books from Guildhall Press

CNP GOAL Project News

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European Youth Capital 2013

Creggan Preschool & TrainingTrust

SureStart Edenballymore

Creggan Country Park

NWTP – Taxi Watch

GOAL Project

Creggan Féile and Summer Programme 2010.

Carnival Parade and Fun Day

Summer Programme Registration

Street Super Teams – Organise Now

Education Minister launches pioneering Altram Irish Immersion Certificate

A Warm Response Amidst the Recent Cold Snap

A Park to be Proud of!

Work Commences on Creggan Play Park

Creggan Community Welcomes INLA Decision

GOAL Project – Black Hut Book a great success

NWTP Project Update

Creggan Country Park Update

Solar Power? A ray of light in the fight against climate change!

Education and Eco Schools Programme

Bat Box Challenge 2010

Saturday Club

CPTT 20th Birthday Celebrations

Green Communities Training Programme

GOAL Project to publish Black Hut Book

Social Housing plan gets a boost

Creggan’s Cracking Christmas Planting Party!

Santa on the Lake

CORE (Creating Opportunities for Returning to Education)

Positive Women

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