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