DIRECTORS REPORT AGM 2023
Another successful year can be reported by the directors of Rouskey Community & Development Association.
Monthly meetings were held by the committee and quite a number of activities were organised and held in the centre. We also hired out the centre for various functions, such as parties and funeral teas, to the community and other stakeholders. In December, we had our Christmas draw to raise funds for the centre, and it was a great success.
In the past year we have provided classes in Pilates, crocheting/knitting, fitness, and cookery. We also provided children and adult music classes and piano classes. We had a Rouskey Children’s Drama production along with the Rouskey Music Class, which was performed in the Creggan Community Centre. It was a great night of entertainment. Rouskey CDA also provided classes for children who were doing their transfer test and transition from primary to secondary school as well as a level 1 computers class through South West College. In addition to our classes, we also held an information session for family members and carers of loved ones with dementia through the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
We have now extended our community garden funded by the AXA Park Fund – The Community Foundation N. Ireland. Thanks to Kieran and Sheena Kearney for leasing a piece of land to Rouskey CDA that has allowed us to extend the community garden. We have contracted with Padraig Donovan to work in the community garden and provide a range of workshops. In addition, Karley Wauchope from Conservative Volunteers comes to the community garden on a Monday fortnightly.
Rouskey CDA Groups include:
Rouskey Walking Group (Danders and Moderate Walkers) Rouskey Gardening Group Rouskey Farmers Group Rouskey Art Group
Rouskey CDA has received funding over the past year from a variety of sources. We received funding from DERA/Omagh Forum to buy a new cooker. We have received funding from Halifax for Know Your Place. Multi Media Heritage recorded people expressing their heritage. Some told stories while others sang and played music from Badoney Lower. A small number of books and videos have been completed. We owe a special thanks to two dedicated volunteers and put in a lot of work and completed this project.
As a direct result of the Know Your Place project, we identified a spin-off project which involved the first hand account of a local 92 year old gentleman's recollections of the grocery run in the local area. Hence the creation of the Grocery Run video and book!
All together, we secured funding from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Halifax, DERA/Omagh Forum, Community Foundation N.Ireland, AXA Park Fun- The Community Foundation N.Ireland, Halifax, Rural Community Network and Owenkillew Credit Union LTD.
We wish to thank all of our funders as well as members of the community who have donated so generously. It is very much appreciated. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for all their hard work this past year.
Lastly, we would like to appeal for a new chairperson and new members of the committee. We welcome any comments any ideas that would help to promote the running of the centre.