Texans Visit Speedwell
ByTexans pay a visit to Speedwell Trust
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.
