|
|
| |
| NEW ERA FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT SHANNAGHMORE |
|
| The award-winning extension of the Shannaghmore Outdoor Education Centre near Newcastle has been officially opened.
The Southern Education and Library Board facility, which is used by several thousand young people every year, has been refurbished and expanded in a scheme costing close to £1million. |
The original stone ‘house’ has been complemented by a large wood-finished extension in a development which was warmly praised by the Royal Ulster Architectural Society in receiving a recent commendation.
|
|
|
|
| |
The official opening ceremony was performed by SELB Chairperson Marie Donnell supported by Board member Councillor Isaac Hanna, the Deputy Mayor of Newry and Mourne.
In a keynote address, Chair of the joint SELB-WELB Youth Committee Peter Aiken outlined the benefits of outdoor education, including “shared fun and decision-making, fresh air and healthy exercise, encouragement of lifelong enjoyment of nature and wild places, pride in self, and the development of emotional intelligence as well as optimism in the face of challenges.”
|
|
|
Mr Aiken captivated the invited guests, including Newry and Mourne Council Chief Executive Thomas McCall and several elected representatives, with some fascinating facts about Shannaghmore’s history.
He revealed that it was originally a private family house built in 1920 for the Newell family. Tom Newell, one of seven brothers, had made his fortune in the Far East dealing in palm oil and wanted Shannaghmore to remind him of that life.
Hence, the external walls of the house resemble an elephant’s hide in terms of their finish while the four pillars look like an elephant’s legs.
|
|
|
|
| The Board bought Shannaghmore 30 years ago and since 1980 has delivered programme for schools and youth clubs as well as leadership courses, with the last major building programme being a quarter of a century ago.
SELB Chief Executive Helen McClenaghan reflected on how their experiences at Shannaghmore can help cultivate trust on the part of young people and, as well as fostering confidence and self-reliance, also teach team-work and establish the importance of inter-dependence.
She paid tribute to those who had helped bring this scheme to fruition including the SELB’s own architects department, Todd Architects and Moss Construction along with Shannaghmore and Youth Service staff. There was also thanks to the Department of Education for its major financial contribution to the project.
Before unveiling the plaque, Mrs Donnell reflected on how the work carried out by the Youth Service closely complements formal education and asserted the importance of this function remaining within Education following the Review of Public Administration.
She complimented the design of the new Shannaghmore Centre and expressed her belief that it would continue to play a vital role in the personal development of the young people who came there.
In his closing remarks, Gerard Doran, Head of Youth for SELB/WELB, described outdoor education as an integral part of the Boards’ joint Youth Service and praised the work of Shannaghmore warden Andy Carden and his colleagues.
He and Mr Carden both spoke enthusiastically at how the extended capacity and improved facilities would enhance the scope of Shannaghmore to deliver developmental and enriching experiences for greater numbers of young people from across the SELB area which stretches as far as Fivemiletown and Moneymore.
“This is a modern, sophisticated building which is in tune with the environmental ethos of outdoor education,” explained Andy.
“It provides enhanced circulation and social space for young people and leaders, improved disability access and modern showering and changing facilities.
“Last year, Shannaghmore provided more than 21,000 activity sessions for some 3,000 young people and adults and the improved provision will enable this figure to increase in the years ahead.”
Recent programmes at Shannaghmore have included residentials supporting developmental youth work, Youth Council/youth club residentials, primary and secondary school residentials and GCSE PE as well as leadership courses in hill-walking and orienteering plus first aid courses.
Future programmes include residentials for the Down’s Syndrome Association, the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Gold), environmental education and young people with disabilities.
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were taken on a tour of the buildings and grounds where young people were taking part in a range of activities including orienteering, canoeing, archery and climbing.
. |
|
|
|
