(a) Schools Programme: The overall aim of this programme is to bring children together on a cross community basis to explore the shared heritage of Parkanaur. A programme of activities is currently under development which will include: 

• access to Parkanaur Manor House
• investigation of artefacts from the Manor House museum
• participation in drama/craft activities
• a teacher resource pack

The Heritage Lottery Fund will cover programme fees for this project and contribute £100 towards the costs of transport per school partnership.

(b) Heritage Trail: The aim of this strand is to provide interpretive signs throughout the forest park so that all visitors to the park have information about the built and natural heritage.

Children who took part in the summer programme

A whole variety of activities were developed aimed at raising children’s awareness about their natural surroundings and promoting ways of enjoying and protecting the environment. These included minibeast hunting, pond dipping, river detectives, wildflower and tree trails, making bird boxes, orienteering, designing t-shirts and composting. In addition to this there were lots of art and craft workshops and as well as practical fun activities. The programme was led by Speedwell staff who are qualified and experienced teachers and educational assistants who work with local schools throughout the year. One parent stated ‘This is the second year that my daughter has attended the Speedwell summer scheme. She thoroughly enjoys it and has asked me to make sure she gets a place on it next year. I think that it is excellent value for money and I love to see my daughter enthusiastic and happy when I collect her. 

Exploring Parkanaur Forest

Making bird boxes

A visit by 46 young people from Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas brought great excitement to the Speedwell Trust this week. One of the groups leaders, Mrs Judy Burnett and her husband Dr Bill Burnett have supported Speedwell’s work since 2000.

 Judy had participated in a visit to Speedwell in 2005 and was delighted to make a return trip to Parkanaur. ‘We spent 10 sun filled days travelling around Scotland and Northern Ireland and the visit to Speedwell was the perfect ending to our trip. I really wanted the Preston Hollow youth group to see the reconciliation work that goes on at Speedwell.’

Some of the group accompanied children from Lisfearty Primary School and Deravoy National School in the final part of their ‘Sporting Diversity’ programme. The schools were at Speedwell taking part in a cross border Peace III sponsored project exploring diversity within sport.

Eamon McClean, Speedwell’s Trust Manager commented, ‘The children enjoyed being helped by these young Americans and the instant rapport between the children and the young teenagers from Dallas was very evident.’

Other members of the group participated in the orienteering activity and took great delight exploring the forest park and finding the various symbols. Yet another group spent time gardening and maintaining the ponds in Speedwell’s secret garden while two budding carpenters assembled over 20 bird boxes for use in Speedwell’s summer programme.

Exhausted but hopefully more aware of the work which Speedwell does, the visitors boarded their coach. They did, however, entertain the children at Speedwell to some wonderful singing before they left.As they departed Eamon McClean stated that the group had brought great energy and enthusiasm and he hoped that some of them might be inspired to return.

 Speedwell has received funding from the Southern PEACE III Cluster (Armagh, Craigavon, Banbridge and Newry and Mourne councils), under the European Union’s PEACE III Programme, to deliver a cross-community respecting diversity project to 7 primary schools partnerships. This programme involved children aged between 4-8 years old, teachers, parents with whole school communities as beneficiaries.

 Speedwell delivered a range of programmes aimed at giving children the opportunity to explore and experience a range of different cultural practices, events and symbols and to appreciate and respect difference and cultural diversity. Using puppets and an interactive media presentation children explore diversity within the community regarding disability, multiculturalism, sectarianism, bullying etc. Children also participated in a craft activity where they explored race through designing different faces of people from a variety of cultures.

 This project gave children the opportunity to visit each others schools, work in mixed groups and participate in activities designed to raise their awareness about diversity. Outcomes included raising children’s self-esteem, building community spirit and increasing social interaction while building an understanding of diversity within local communities and respect for different traditions.

 The schools that are taking part in this project are Banbridge IPS, Edenderry PS and St Patricks PS, Aghagallon; St James and Joseph’s PS, Poyntzpass PS, Drumsallan PS and Our Lady’s PS; Derryhale PS and St Oliver Plunkett’s PS; St Mary’s PS and Birches PS; St John’s PS, and Seagoe PS.

 This project is part-funded through the EU’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU structural funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IVA designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and in the case of INTERREG IVA, Western Scotland.
 
The PEACE III Programme is worth €333 million and is aimed primarily at reinforcing progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promoting reconciliation. It focuses on helping Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland to reconcile communities and contribute towards a shared society.
 
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu

Speedwell has received funding from the South West Peace III Cluster and SEUPB to deliver a cross-border, cross-community sporting diversity project to 12 primary schools in North Monaghan and South Tyron

The schools have agreed to participate in this new and innovative project which allows children and their teachers to explore cultural identity in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties through sport.  Sport, like many other facets of life in Northern Ireland, is largely segregated along religious lines.  This project aims to give children the opportunity to learn about each other’s sporting traditions, understand and respect their differences and recognise and value what they hold in common. It also encourages them to see sports played by members of an opposing tradition as a positive influence rather than something which is distant and viewed with suspicion and allows them to become familiar with sports and a sporting culture which is not normally celebrated within their community. The sports which are explored in this project are rugby, gaelic football, hockey, hurling, camogie and soccer.

The schools that are taking part are St Mary’s PS, Aughnacloy PS and Knockconan NS;

St Joseph’s PS, Caledon PS and St Mary’s NS, Glaslough; Lisfearty PS and Deravey NS; St Jarlath’s PS and Clontibret NS; St Mary’s PS, Cabragh and Model NS, Monaghan.

Thirty-five Principals and teachers attended Speedwell’s Annual Schools’ Day on Friday 21 May 2010 at Speedwell’s Centre in Parkanaur Forest, near Castlecaulfield.

This conference was the first to be held at Parkanaur since the Minister of Education announced a 70 % cut in funding for community relations work in schools and the youth sector. Speedwell’s Trust Manager, Eamon McClean said that while the cuts were a huge blow to the sector, Speedwell would endeavour to provide a facility which schools could use and programmes which addressed issues like diversity, racism and sectarianism. He said that the work which many of the schools in this area have been doing for nearly 20 years had helped to counteract the negative views – hate, bigotry and prejudice – that exist in our society. He stated that Speedwell would strive to continue to promote and encourage real, meaningful and sustained contact with children and young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Teachers attending the event were very angry at the cuts which were announced on 28 April. One teacher said “having been involved in community relations work in schools for the past twenty years it is sad to see the programme end in this way. Schools have worked hard to forge links and promote positive relationships”. Another asserted that “it is very disappointing to see that the department entrusted with the education of our children should cut funding for community relations which is fundamental of our society and to peace.”

Chris McCarney , Peace III project manager with the South West Council Cluster also spoke at the conference. He said that Speedwell was one of the projects in this area who were delivering programmes which dealt with racism and sectarianism, the main criteria in the SEUPB Peace programme. He stated that as a result of Speedwell projects children would have a greater awareness and understanding of different cultures and traditions.

The conference concluded with the Speedwell founder Mrs Jean Kelly giving a talk about her book ‘Charlie Crow Sorts It!’ Jean said that the book, which is set in Parkanaur Forest Park and targeted at primary and second level children, “not only deals with environmental education but also is an excellent resource for personal development and mutual understanding with the underlying theme of ‘Let’s find a way to help each other and live in harmony – even if there are problems.’”

Eimear Kingham, Hilary Reid and Cath Crute at Speedwell's schools' day

In his opening remarks The Trust Manager, Mr Eamon McClean, stated that Speedwell was delighted to be able to bring their message of co-operation, respect and mutual understanding to policy makers in the Strategy Launch at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. He outlined the journey Speedwell had made from is beginnings in 1991 and gave an overview of the work which is currently being delivered. Working with children from 3-11 on a cross community format, he stated, was vital to improve community relations in local communities. He said that schools were the gateway to the wider community and was confident that children would carry the message of tolerance and respect coming from the project back to the home and wider family.
Mr Neil Downing the Chairman of the Speedwell Board of Trustees emphasised the importance of bringing this launch to Stormont so that “those who draw up policies and legislation, those who are responsible of improving the lives of all the citizens of Northern Ireland, are aware of the work which Speedwell does. It is vital that this work continues and that organisations like Speedwell are supported so that we can continue to build a bridge from a troubled past to a more safer and healthier future.”
The highlight for many, however, was the excellent performance from the choir of St Patrick’s PS and Dungannon PS, co-ordinated by Ms Andrea Erskine and Mrs Patricia Devlin, who sang ‘The Dungannon Song’ and ‘Lean On Me’. Many of those who attended the event commented that this performance epitomised the ethos of co-operation, integration and harmony that Speedwell promotes.

The event concluded with Mr Tommy Gallagher launching the Strategy and congratulating Speedwell on its achievements thus far and wished them every success in the years to come.

Billy Armstrong with children from the Dungannon primary schools

Eamon McClean, Tommy Gallagher, Arlene Foster, Neil Downing, Billy Armstrong and Calvin and Megan from Dungannon Primary Schools

Children and teachers from Dungannon & St Patrick's PS at Stormont

Schools participating include, Dungannon PS, St Patrick’s PS, Dungannon, Orritor PS, St Joseph’s PS, Killeenan, Bush PS, St Francis PS, Derrylatinee, Moneymore PS, St Patrick’s, Moneymore, Ballytrea PS and St Mary’s PS Stewartstown. Children will participate in practical, age appropriate activities designed to increase their capacity to develop relationships of trust with those of different traditions. Evidence of the need for such a programme was revealed during a recent survey taken at Speedwell’s Schools’ Day in March 2009.This demonstrated that out of 57 questionnaires completed 55 teachers would be willing to participate in a programme designed to ‘involve as many people from all parts of our society to change attitudes and create a better understanding of different cultures and traditions.’

Speedwell believes it is important to give children the opportunity to learn about each other’s traditions, understand and respect their differences and recognise and value what they hold in common. In recognising that the way towards a peaceful society lies through contact, discussion and mutual understanding, Speedwell Trust, therefore, is committed to increasing the opportunities for social contact for children, teachers and parents.