Riverbrooke Newsletter
Transcription
Riverbrooke Newsletter
RI VERBROOKE BORD ER INITI ATI VE S S O R C Celebrating 10 years of Cross-Border Working Newsletter 2 Editorial This is the second newsletter produced by the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative and is a tribute to the members of Brookeborough Enterprise Ltd and Riverstown Enterprise Development (Sligo) Ltd who 10 years ago had both the vision to recognise the potential value of cross-border working and the courage to take those first tentative steps. Today the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative is a dedicated programme working to bring people from the different religious and cultural traditions in the two villages together to enjoy shared interests, explore common concerns and acknowledge and celebrate diversity. January 2006 Communities working to break down barriers and build trust and friendship Unfortunately, due to limitations of space, it is not possible to feature every activity so we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken part in the programme and helped to make it such a success. We have an exciting programme planned for the year ahead and we hope that you will continue to be involved and encourage your friends and neighbours to get involved also and we extend a invitation to everyone in Brookeborough and Riverstown to join us at our open nights in 2006. We would welcome your comments and we are always open to new ideas!! Editor INVITATION You are invited to participate in a range of projects commencing 2006 Discussion workshops – women, youth, community groups Study visits to peace based projects in NI and the Southern border counties International Conference with guest speakers from the Balkans and South Africa Participate in research Youth Media project – produce a DVD Youth residential Inter-schools environmental project Children’s Creative writing competition Cultural projects Produce a CD of local musical traditions Craft projects And more…. For information contact the project office on 028 895 31854 or 071 91 65931 See local press for details of public meeting to be held in Early 2006 1 Working Cross-Border WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE PROJECT… ‘We all erect borders around ourselves when we feel vulnerable, exposed, fearful, possessive, territorial – from garden fences to asylum walls and from ditches and hedges to political borders. They are supposed to keep up safe. We think we are keeping the enemy out. Usually, though what we are really doing is keeping ourselves fenced in!’ Quotes from programme evaluations Sr. S Kennedy, Sister of Charity Whether we recognise it or not the Irish border established in 1921 has had a major impact on our lives politically, economically, culturally, and socially. It has for many shaped our understanding of our own identity. In recent years changes in the economic and political climate have resulted in a noticeable reduction in activity levels along the border; to-day the border is un-patrolled and unremarkable and yet, if we are truly honest, for many of us the border is as real today as it was in the days of patrols and checkpoints, paramilitaries, barbed wire, and unapproved roads. Therefore while much of the physical evidence of the border has been removed or changed how we think about the ‘border’ and what lies beyond it may be much more difficult to change. Cross-border working is not an easy option, there are many fears and prejudices to be faced and practical difficulties such as distance to be overcome. The work is often challenging at both individual and community level and the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative has faced many challenges, not least apathy, with many people believing that because they did not live in areas with high levels of violence then the conflict did not impact on them and therefore there is no necessity for them to contribute to peace building and many others accepting the status quo believing ‘if the issue isn’t raised then it isn’t an issue’, How to deal with the past is another vexed question for peace projects. Sometimes we are asked to ‘forget the past’, ‘put it all behind us’ and just ‘get on together’. But the reality is that we cannot ignore the past, to do so would be destructive and dismissive of the experiences and sufferings of the past. These experiences need to be validated not ignored. We must acknowledge and deal with the past if we are to understand it and have confidence and pride in who we are. If we cannot come to terms with our past then we will find it difficult to move forward and appreciate the identity of others. Increased confidence in our own identity will enable us to work with others to create relationships based on an appreciation of different cultures and traditions and not on demonising mythologies. But, can we ever come to understand each other and how do we come to that understanding? Peace building is a broad process and not just about those who engaged directly in the conflict. The attitudes and beliefs that underpin violent conflict effect whole communities and must be addressed at that level. The Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative has proven that understanding can grow out of contact, friendship, discussion and shared activity as it provides a safe space in which we can learn about the culture and beliefs of others, in our own community and cross-border, without necessarily sharing or accepting them. It is a deep and often painful process affecting all of our lives including our emotions and it cannot be rushed or imposed. The partners in the Riverbrooke Cross-Border Initiative have found cross-border working to be an immensely rewarding and motivating experience. There is much to be gained from working on common goals, and the learning of and from one another as understanding and vision are broadened and relationships develop. “There was an opportunity for people to discuss honestly the conflict and its consequences for everyone in Ireland” “Feelings that have been hidden were expressed and may have been helpful to the healing process” “I found the subject of ‘conflict’ most challenging” “Trust is growing stronger” “We are still very raw, we have experienced so much hurt” “I find it difficult to keep from getting emotional about the troubles and there effect on my life and friends” “Difficult to listen and understand other peoples deeply held opinions” “I have become aware of how little we have challenged the views and attitudes of our own communities; it is easier to conform” “The discussion and time spent has strengthened the crossborder partnership” “Have made friends across the community groups which has encouraged me to take part in other cross-community events” “Will try not to stereotype travellers as all the odds are stacked against them” “I have come to realise that most women from whatever background have similar problems” “My knowledge of ‘gay’ was nil. I now have a more understanding view of a lot of situations in modern day living” “It has made me realise how prejudiced I can be” “Have learned to be more tolerant of the problems some disabled people have” “It is nice to see there are two sides to many of our lives. Little stories of some things that happened to someone else surprised us” “Enjoyed working together and learning about each other” “Found common ground with other women” “Building relationships, confidence and self-esteem” Bridie Sweeney Project Co-ordinator Expressing feelings and expectations “Very positive in forging friendships” Celebrating 10 Years of cross-border working Vintage Friendship Between Brookeborough & Riverstown 1995 - 2005 “You get a chance to have your opinion & share others” “Would be good to learn more about people you meet” “You get to say your opinion” It all started in 1995 with an article and a photograph in the Impartial Reporter of a bicycle collection at a local show. Following this we at the museum in Riverstown wrote to Mr Robert Coalter inviting him to exhibit his collection of bicycles at our vintage day. Following this letter Robert and his wife Joy made the journey to Riverstown in April 1995 and so began a friendship and close co-operation between the two villages. Since this early contact, Riverstown Enterprise Development and Brookeborough Enterprise Ltd, formed a working alliance called “Riverbrooke” which has grown to become one of the most successful cross-border initiatives in the country, where trust and friendship are a central part of this exciting project. 2 This year we have been celebrating our ‘10th Anniversary’ and to mark the occasion Riverbrooke had 400 special brass plaques made to be presented to each exhibitor at the annual vintage shows in Brookeborough and Riverstown. This is an example of our working relationship. “People in area I wouldn’t normally meet, but have now made friends with” “Great to meet people of different ages and backgrounds” “Give me more confidence in myself” “Excellent days craic, good way to bond friendships” In conclusion the next decade will see both communities working together with shared interests, supporting each other and learning about the richness of each other’s culture. “I do hope we will get together again soon. I feel there is now a bond between us” “Costumes were lovely, nice to meet people from different cultures” John Taylor “Three cultures came together and enjoyed each others company” “I’ve met several new people even from my own community” Building Good Relations Cross-Border I have been involved with the Riverbrooke Initiative from the very start, being a member of the steering committee. I have worked closely with my fellow Directors of Riverstown Enterprise Development and our colleagues from across the border in Brookeborough and with our project co-ordinator Bridie Sweeney, planning and implementing the programme. Our unique peace-building project has given me personally huge satisfaction and pride to see so many people involved in our project, both north and south, striving to improve their communities and contribute to lasting peace on our island. An essential part of the programme has been our management residentials, where the committees of Brookeborough and Riverstown meet for a weekend to discuss and reflect on the troubles and conflict of the past and begin to heal some of the hurt and pain suffered by all concerned. Also to help to provide an understanding climate for lasting peace and reconciliation. I have found some of this work very challenging, soul searching and thought provoking, but, I have no doubt it has been very worthwhile with trust, understanding and friendship flourishing within our group. Our first residential began in Bundoran on the 20th November 2004. The morning session was an ‘us and them’ exercise which proved very interesting and got everyone involved. In the afternoon we had two excellent guest speakers, Tom Elliott, Grand Master of the Orange Order in Co Fermanagh and Jack Boothman, former President of the GAA. Both gentlemen spoke with great knowledge and passion for their organisations and a very good question and answer session took place with all involved. On Sunday we discussed flags and emblems and the love they are held in and the trouble they can cause. We concluded with a review of the weekend and it was agreed by all that it was a resounding success. Our second residential was held in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan on the 18th June 2005. The weekend topics were perceptions and conflict, discussing and debating at length. Once again the difficult issues were dealt with in an atmosphere of honesty and respect. It helped me understand that the pain, hurt and suffering endured by all will take time to heal and that building trust and building peace will be a slow process. Participation in the residentials has been emotional, challenging and very thought provoking but also very enjoyable and worthwhile. Our trust and friendship have grown further within the Riverbrooke project and future difficult topics can be addressed with understanding and confidence. We are breaking down barriers and building peace bridges and I feel the commitment of the people of Riverstown and Brookeborough is making a very important contribution to lasting peace in Ireland. ‘Us & Them Too’ I enjoyed participating in an educational and challenging experience. This was added to by the expert presentation and highly informative discussion around case studies, which was a highlight for me. I feel I have gained a new perspective from the course and have taken away a new value system, which will stay with me for the rest of my days. I found the workbooks useful in understanding the course content. I really enjoyed our discussion groups and our good friendships. A valuable experience of the course was the crossborder and cross-community group co-operating and working very well together. Everything was enjoyable and I very much appreciated it all. Sheila Carson Michael Tuohy Flags & Emblems What the poppy means to me…. Domestic Goddess’ My name is Martina, I am a domestic goddess as all you women that I did the “Us & Them Too” course with are. After spending so many years as a homemaker it was so refreshing to meet people on the same level and realise Irish mothers are basically all the same. I really enjoyed the course and looked forward to going to each meeting. What I took from it and what I am trying to bring into my everyday life is: (i) Learning to listen to others point of view and accept that even if I don’t agree with them all the time that I can respect them. (ii) that very often the less able bodied person appreciates life more. These are the lessons that I am trying to pass on to my family. In conclusion, we know that ‘the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world’ therefore it is up to each and everyone of us as mothers to mould the next generation to be caring and responsible citizens. Martina Hamilton When I see the poppy which symbolises Remembrance Day November 11th , I always get a lump in my throat. I think of all the young soldiers only boys of 16-17 really, who died in the mud, wet and dirt of the trenches. I look at my own sons and think that could be them. When the 2 minutes silence at our church service is held you can feel the silence and then a member of the British Legion gives the act of remembrance by saying ‘When you go home think of them, they give their to-day for your tomorrow’. This really stays in my mind for days afterwards. To me what people here today are trying to do, in their own way, is something similar as we all hope the future will be different for the generations to come and that they may all have freedom from sectarianism, discrimination and any form of oppression and live in peace and harmony with their neighbours no matter what colour their skin or religion they follow. For me that is what the Poppy means! Mary Dunn 3 Youth Residential We have both taken part in Riverbrooke activities before with our schools; in the cross-border football match and I really enjoyed reading the history book (Kevin) and in the inter-schools garden-planting project (Mark). But taking part in the youth residential for the first time was nerve-racking. We were all very quiet on the way down on the bus because even though we were all from around Brookeborough there were some people we didn’t " know very well or some we didn’t know at all. Also you didn’t know what the people from Riverstown were going to be like or if they would like you! On the way home it was completely different with lots of craic and chatting. Everybody mixed on the way home unlike on the way there. It was great to be mixing with different people instead of the usual people you see about. It was good to get to know the local people better. Religion doesn’t really matter you are still the same person and the Riverstown people were not much different from us. Meal times were really good for talking to each other. You weren’t afraid to talk or chat to anybody. The whole residential was great craic. We did canoeing, abseiling, archery, horse riding, a boat trip to an island historic site, a nightline and a trip to the cinema. Our favourite was the canoeing, we canoed around the whole island of Enniskillen very tiring but good. The funniest bit was when Jessica, Una and Rebecca who were in a Canadian canoe asked the two of us and Michael to swap our one-man canoes, we all ended up capsizing! The abseiling was also brilliant, you felt you were putting your life in someone else’s hands and you thought it was unsafe but really you were as safe as houses. I was really nervous about the horse riding (Mark) and my horse stopped and wouldn’t go on, he pulled in to the hard shoulder like a big goof and let everyone go past (Kevin)! Staying on an island was deadly. Grand craic with good leaders and the food was nice. On the night we didn’t go to sleep until 4 o’clock! We really enjoyed the cinema and us boys thought that all the girls were really nice! Overall nice meeting new people. Will definitely get involved again! Kevin Mulligan & Mark Waters Reconciliation Wordsearch Competition l l l l l l l l l l ANGER FEAR PEACE UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY FRIENDSHIP SUPPORT CONFLICT FUTURE TRUST Prizes are 3 x £10 / €15 book tokens Entries should be sent to:Riverbrooke Cross Border Initiative Station House Station Road Brookeborough Co. Fermanagh Closing date is 31st March 2006. Don’t forget to include your name, address and telephone number. Winners will be contacted after the closing date. 4 Environmental Fun Day On the 19th May 2005 pupils from the two primary schools in Brookeborough travelled by coach to Riverstown, Co. Sligo. The weather was fine which helped the children to enjoy the pleasant spring countryside. They also got to know more of the geography of Fermanagh and its neighbouring counties to the west, Leitrim and Sligo. WINNERS CROSS-BORDER, INTER-SCHOOLS ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION 2004 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS WINNER SCHOOL Best entry overall Aine Devaney Coolbock National School MOST PROMISING Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER Christopher Conwell Thomas Mc Caffrey Jason Quigley SCHOOL St Mary’s Primary School St Mary’s Primary School Ardkeeran National School CATEGORY ONE (7-8 years) Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER SCHOOL Orla Bagnall Lee Sharpe Lauren Tuohy Riverstown No 2 National School Brookeborough Controlled NS Ardkeeran National School After a very enjoyable lunch everyone had a riverside walk to the community park where the day ended with the children taking part in the organised games and they all won at least one medal. CATEGORY TWO (9-10 years) Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER SCHOOL Dylan McMorrow Eva Considine Shane Conlon Kilross National School St Mary’s Primary School Ardkeeran National School All in all it was a great day that went like clockwork and the weather remained kind to us throughout. The children had a great time and even though exhausted they are looking forward to the event next year. CATEGORY THREE (11-12 years) Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER SCHOOL Rebecca Tuohy Aine McManus Shauna Kelly Ardkeeran National School St Mary’s Primary School Ardkeeran National School Sam Blair MISC (Riverstown only) 13+ WINNER SCHOOL Kristof Kenderesi Riverstown No 2 National School We received a warm welcome from the staff of the Folk Park and the boys and girls met the pupils of the Riverstown schools and they were all given a tasty snack in the restaurant. Afterwards, they got into their mixed groups and were soon taking part in the well organised programme which included; a guided tour of the “street” and other exhibits in the folk park, a talk on recycling and an opportunity to make corn dollies. 2005 Cultural Exchanges As Chairperson of Riverstown branch of CCE I wish to say how important the visit of Brookeborough CCE musicians and Brookeborough Flute Band were to Riverstown. Exchanging tunes and songs and good-humoured stories and general conversation is in my view a great way of uniting communities on both sides of the border. I hope that such initiatives will continue on both sides of the border, as it will bring people closer together and hopefully promote a greater unity and understanding on this island. Padraig Kerins MOST PROMISING Best entry in category WINNER Christopher Conwell SCHOOL St Mary’s Primary School CATEGORY ONE (7-8 years) Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER SCHOOL Philip Matthews Anna Curran Michelle Willis Brookeborough Controlled PS St Mary’s Primary School Kilross National School CATEGORY TWO (9-10 years) Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER SCHOOL Sarah Matthews Rebecca Kennedy Ronan McTiernan Brookeborough Controlled PS Brookeborough Controlled PS Sooey National School CATEGORY THREE (11-12 years) Best entry in category Best entry Brookeborough Best entry Riverstown WINNER SCHOOL Louise Mulligan Helen McCullagh Jack Kerr Ardkeerin National School Brookeborough Controlled PS Riverstown No 2 5 The Brookeborough - Riverstown Story The pursuit of local history is a popular activity on both sides of the border. And, as partners groups and members of the Riverbrooke Steering group we recognised the importance of history and its impact on community relations. We felt that undertaking a joint history project would be an effective tool in building good relations within our communities and cross-border. And so began a project that was to last over two years and involve more than 100 people – the writing of the companion volumes ‘The Brookeborough Story’ and ‘ The Riverstown Story’, local history books compiling the history of the villages and their immediate hinterlands. Local history is an interest that crosses all borders religious, social, political, and cultural. We took great care to ensure that all traditions were represented within the books. Thus an increased awareness of local diversity, common links and a shared local heritage was fostered as people worked together to achieve a joint goal. Brookeborough Historical Society, and a group of local history enthusiasts from Riverstown took the project forward under guidance of ourselves, and we both committed a huge amount of time and energy to supporting the contributors to the book and striving to ensure that deadlines were met. In this we were very ably assisted by editor Jack Johnston from Clogher, Co Tyrone. The local launch of the books in Brookeborough and the official launch in Riverstown were very special events for us and we were delighted with the support received from our local communities. Speaking at the official launch Paddy Logue, Joint Manager, ADM/CPA complimented the work saying, “I am certain that these books will not sit on shelves gathering dust. They represent at one and the same time an example of outstanding community participation, a treasure trove of local history and a resource for advancing community peace-building and reconciliation”. We feel very proud of the work and believe that we have been successful in producing two quality books, which have not only contributed to peace building but will also give many hours and indeed years of pleasure”. Hugh Kelly & Tom Donnelly History Book Review ‘The Brookeborough Story, Aghalun in Aghavea’. Edited by Jack Johnston. 304pp with index plus 100 illustrations and maps. There are over 50 contributors to this beautifully produced book, which is a companion volume to ‘The Riverstown Story, Co. Sligo’, again edited by Jack Johnston. It has 46 contributors, 100 maps and illustrations and has likewise 304 pages with an index. (Casebound edition of The Riverstown Story also available). Four years ago the Brookeborough Historical Society came into being at the instigation of the Rev. Andrew Kingston. His enthusiasm and that of a steering group of helpers was the catalyst which, enthused the recording of the local history of the district which cumulated in this excellent volume. The Society’s members conducted their own research as well as attracting many of the best speakers on the local history circuit. The content of many of these lectures have been added to the volume. Ten years ago the Riverstown Enterprise Development Group in Sligo set out on their cherished ambition to commit a history of the Riverstown area to print. Valuable collecting work was done but the project lay dormant until 2003 when an enthusiastic and dedicated group came together under the editorial guidance of Jack Johnston. Their research eventually resulted in an equally excellent production. The Riverbrooke Initiative twinned the Brookeborough and Riverstown areas. Through the support of their funders, ADM/CPA, the Initiative has ensured that two landmark local history volumes were produced. These publications will be a touchstone for all local history in these areas in the future. All of the traditional staples of local history are here. Pride of place at the beginning of both volumes goes to the townland placenames of each area. The contents also include the history of the respective villages as well as chapters on landlords, churches, schools, industry, farming, the Famine and emigration. There is a particularly detailed analysis on roads and bridges in the Riverstown Story, while its counterpart in Brookeborough has several good family and townland studies. Local societies, entertainment and sport are among other topics covered. Both books have dug wide and deep. They draw on the resources of repositories like Fermanagh County Library, the Public Record Office in Belfast, Sligo reference library in Bridge Street and Riverstown’s own excellent library at the Folk Park. In many ways both books are a template by which others might set out to write their own local history. Providing that a good editor is available the co-operative method of compiling a local history works very well. Unless an individual is very experienced and has read widely it would be difficult for him or her to reach these standards of research and writing within any reasonable timescale. Skilled editing is imperative if deadlines are to be met and best balance struck with regard to length, tone and accuracy of fact. It requires good judgment so as to bring about an overall unity in works of this kind. The valuable six-page index is very important in two such extensive volumes. It makes these books very accessible for the general reader as well as a reference aid for the more serious inquirer. These two volumes are undoubtedly landmarks in the history of each area as important as any dolmen, stone circle or mighty castle. John Cunningham (J.B.C.) Reproduced with kind permission of the ‘The Spark’ Magazine 6 Going Forward RIVERBROOKE CROSS-BORDER INITIATIVE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “Peace in post-conflict society” 8th & 9th March 2006 Conference Centre, Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen An opportunity for Communities and Individuals to consider the long–term vision of peace building work in a cross-border context. The conference will present delegates with different viewpoints on the possible future of a post conflict society by looking at different models of peace from both an international and a local perspective. It will provide an opportunity for delegates to reflect on their motivation for engagement in peace-building work and will present them with an international perspective to help inform their thinking. For further information contact Bridie on 071 91 65931 from NI 00353 71 91 65931 International Guest Speakers CAREL BOSHOFF (iv), South Africa TANJA PETOVAR, The Balkans MELANIE VERWOERD, South Africa Local Speakers Marie Crawley, Independent Consultant Libby Keys OBE, Future Ways Paddy Logue, Border Action Duncan Morrow, Director Community Relations Council Conference Chair – Ann McGeeney, Manager, Cross-Border Centre for Community Development, Dundalk IT Contact Details Riverstown Project Office Brookeborough Project Office Riverbrooke Cross Border Initiative Sligo Folk Park Riverstown Co. Sligo Tel: 071 91 65931 Email: [email protected] Web: sligofolkpark.com/riverbrooke.html Riverbrooke Cross Border Initiative The Station House Brookeborough Co. Fermanagh Tel: 028 8953 1854 Email: [email protected] New Faces Bríd McLoughlin Riverstown Financial Administrator Louise Monaghan Brookeborough Project Administrator Cross Border Steering Committee left to right - Michael Tuhoy, Arthur Ovens, Tom Donnelly, Billy Taylor, Hugh Kelly, John Taylor. Your Plan - Your Future Funded by the Cross-Border Consortium under the EU Peace II Programme and part-financed by the UK and Irish Governments. 7 HISTORY BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE ‘a treasure trove for local history’ ‘...landmarks in the history of each area as important as any dolmen, stone circle or mighty castle’ To purchase your copy of ‘THE BROOKEBOROUGH STORY’ contact Louise on 028 8953 1854 ‘THE RIVERSTOWN STORY’ contact Paul on 071 91 65001 ‘The Riverstown Story’ also available in case bound 8 Designed & Printed by Ecclesville Printing Services. Tel: 028 8284 0048 / 028 8284 0809 Email: [email protected]
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