Annual Hill Walking Festival

16th June 2007

On Saturday 16th June the 14th Annual Hill Walking Festival took place in Glenullin, despite the damp weather!  We had about 40 brave souls coming from as far as Lurgan and Craigavon, people from 5 counties and all were well kitted out for the weather. Irish rain doesn’t seem to deter experienced walkers! And of course we had our local supporters as well, and some folk from the Sperrins Hill Walking Group.

Many had heard about the Festival through research on the internet so it appears our name is out there in an increasing number of places! The walkers were visibly delighted to get out onto these beautiful hills and appreciated the welcome and the access and the information provided by local farmers, the community group, local volunteers and information boards and access paths courtesy of  Coleraine Council.

It looks like we are becoming well known for our care of walkers, providing excellent leadership and of course the enjoyment of home-made refreshments and the raffle in the Resource Centre afterwards.

Thanks to James McLaughlin and Mark Strong of Coleraine Council for leading the walk and some of the preparation beforehand, to Sheila Fairon for coordinating and making buns,   to Coleraine Council for a Good Relations Grant of £325, to the local Hill Walking Club for financial support and some organising, to Gerard OKane for paying Franc for 2 days to clean up the building before the Festival, to Marie Boylan for her home baking, to Josephine, Rosemary, Anna and Kathleen, the refreshment team, to Caroline and Elaine from St Johns Ambulance for cheerful First Aid cover, to Raymond the patient bus driver from CART and  to Valerie from Drumboughil Community Association for scones and working in partnership with us at this Festival.

Many hands make light work!  Here’s to next year!