Company up for top award

Members of Rathfriland & District Regeneration Company Ltd were joined by Banbridge District Council Chairman Cllr Marie Hamilton, Cllrs Seamus Doyle, John Hanna, David Herron and Liz Ingram and John McCallister MLA at the opening of their new premises, the former Bank of Ireland, in Rathfriland © Edward Byrne Photography INBL1433-201EB

Judges from Co-operation Ireland recently visited the town to meet representatives from the group and learn about the positive impact their work has had on local people and to see for themselves the exceptional contribution they have made to the area.

Rathfriland & District Regeneration Company was formed in 1996 with the aim to help regenerate Rathfriland town centre and the surrounding district.

The Company has successfully purchased and refurbished a number of properties in the town centre was the re-branding of the former Bank of Ireland building in Church Square as Chandler’s House, with the official ribbon cutting ceremony witnessed by the Co-operation Ireland judging delegation as part of their visit.

The Regeneration Company has also successfully organised the very popular annual Fair Day and takes the lead in the Christmas Switch-on in the town.

The group’s charity shop, ‘Once Again’, has raised money to support events in the town Indeed during the presentation to the judges a cheque was handed over to Rathfriland Scout Group, PiPS Suicide Awareness, and Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

After welcoming the judges to the district, Council Chairman, Councillor Marie Hamilton, endorsed the work of the group: “Banbridge District Council recognises the value of the IPB Pride of Place Awards and commends Co-operation Ireland for the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the great work that goes on in the community and voluntary sector in our district.

“Our nomination to this year’s competition, Rathfriland & District Regeneration Company, is in recognition of the group’s tireless work over the years to improve the physical, economic and social life of the town. The Regeneration Company has not hid away from taking on some big projects in the town and the work they have achieved to date and the plans they have for the future makes it stand out as an example to others.”

The IPB Pride of Place is run by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with the All-Island Local Authority Steering Forum, a forum which encourages strategic and sustainable approaches to cross-border co-operation.