Big Companies Get Set for Gannonball....

Some of Dungannon's top enterprises have come on board with exciting ideas and plans to enter the inaugural Gannonball Run event which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August. Powerscreen International and Dunbia Meats are racing to the finishing line to have their soapboxes ready for the big event which will feature a wide range of themed motorised carts race down a specially made track through the centre of Dungannon.
Also joining in on the fun are the staff of Dungannon Enterprise Centre. Manager Brian McAuley says:

"With only two weeks to go from the start of Dungannon’s first ever Gannonball Run, the Enterprise Centre has moved to warp speed to build its soapbox for the event.
The "Starship Dungannon Enterprise" will be ready for its maiden voyage within the next 2 weeks - well enough time for its crew to practice its manoevures."
Spread the word about the Bank Holiday event and the web site http://www.gannonballrun.com/
Enter your very own soapbox now online or by picking up a form at The Pixel Factory, Dungannon Enterprise Centre or at Ranfurly House, Market Square Dungannon.

GET SET FOR GANNONBALL RUN!

‘Wacky Races’ Event Gets Set for Dungannon!

Breaking News! Dungannon is to host a brand new, breath taking, action packed town centre event on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August and DRP is looking for crazy, fun-loving businesses and individuals with big ideas to take part!

‘The Gannon Ball Run’ will see ‘soap box’ carts scuttle from Castle Hill down a specially made track through Market Square in a fun filled, fast paced family event!

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or just enjoy a bit of DIY – then you may be crazy enough to race down the centre of Dungannon in your own home-made soap box racer. The event will also feature motorbike stunts and demonstrations, including Auto-test and various vintage and classic car exhibitions.

Mayor The Lord Morrow MLA of Clogher Valley is looking forward to an exciting closure to Dungannon’s Summer events programme. He said:

“Dungannon has once again presented the community with a wide range of diverse and exciting summer events which include sporting and arts activities for all ages. With UTV Countryfest at the beginning of August, it is fitting to close the summer months with such an innovative and new event such as the Gannon Ball Run. I wish all of the organisers and participants the best of luck with this unique event.”

Councillor Walter Cuddy, Chairman of Dungannon Regeneration Partnership (DRP) and the organising commitee believes this event is perfectly suited to the geographic layout of Dungannon’s Market Square:

“Dungannon’s natural hilltop layout makes it an ideal arena for a race of this kind and we look forward to receiving a range of entries from both private groups and individuals and from the business sector."

The event is organised by Dungannon Regeneration Partnership (DRP) in association with Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Dungannon Enterprise Centre, Dungannon Motor Club, Dungannon & District Motorcycling Club, The Pixel Factory, and BEAM.

Entry forms and a full list of terms and conditions are now available from all of the above organisations, plus at Ranfurly House, Dungannon Park, Dungannon Leisure Centre and online at http://www.blogger.com/www.gannonballrun.com or http://www.dungannon.gov.uk/ or http://www.dungannonlife.com/.

If you think you are up to the challenge, then get working on your own designer soap box and return your entry form to:

The “Gannonball Run” Committee
c/o Dungannon Regeneration Partnership
Ranfurly House
26 Market Square
Dungannon
Tel: (028) 8772 8600 / 8602

Summer at last?

So, the sunshine is here (for one day only@ Hope not...) and what a good time to plan ahead for the Open Air Theatre on Castle Hill.
Chapterhouse Theatre Company will arrive in Dungannon to give theatre lovers a real treat - all on the picturesque setting of the majestic Castle Hill.
The group will perform 'The Tempest' on Saturday 19th July at 7.30pm and 'King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table' on Sunday 19th July at 7.30pm. Admission to each performance is £12 with £8 concessionary rate and group rates available. Book your tickets now at Ranfurly House 028 8772 8600.
Tomorrow, Saturday 5th July, Dungannon will host an outside broadcast live from The Fort in Scotch Street Dungannon so tune in to hear of all the happenings in South Tyrone over the summer months.
For children, we have a bumper programme of sports and arts activities including drama workshops (18/19 july at CRAIC Theatre) and digital music workshops at Dungannon Community Arts Studio from 4-7 August.
Check out our events section on the website for all the up to date listings as they are announced.
Have a great weekend!

Coming Up This Week...

Anoter busy week here in Dungannon.....

Tomorrow night, Council will host an Information Evening on UTV Countryfest for local hospitality businesses in the South Tyrone - representatives from JW Promotions and Council's Tourism section will be on hand to answer any questions from local people who wish to 'jump on the bandwagon' and make the most of this huge opportunity!

For archaeology lovers, Castle Hill will be the venue for two unique tours (one at 1pm and then at 3pm) on Saturday 21st June. During the Time Team excavation in October 2007, the foundations of O'Neill Castle side by side with a military fort constructed in the early 17th century. Learn more about this by attending one of the tours this Saturday - booking essential on 028 8772 8600.

Dungannon Park Angling Notes

Very changeable weather this week, but it is good to see a bit of rain to help freshen up our lakes and rivers and give the fish more vitality. There has been a great hatch of buzzers and the fish have really switched on to them, so if you’re ever in doubt tie on a buzzer imitation and you will have your fish in no time. Summertime has really started so a change to the floating line is inevitable, and there is some great sport to be had in the upper surface of the water. If you are using lures and having no luck, try speeding up your retrieve to entice the fish into biting, I have seen this work many times in the past. Now for something a little bit different; as you may already know, we have two resident Swans on our lake and they have nested very close to the waters edge, there were a lot of people quite concerned for their safety. Well, you may take a sigh of relief as the eggs have hatched to reveal seven perfectly healthy Signets, no doubt they will be a big hit with Dungannon Park patrons.
The Park Lake Summer Angling School starts this month from 30th to 4th July booking is essential and if you can’t book for July, we are having a repeat course in August. The event will be coordinated by Pakie Trotter and Pat Mulholland both very highly regarded game angling instructors, and assisted by Park Lake resident instructor, Neville Simpson. So book your child in today for a worthwhile experience and something a bit different to do this summer (telephone # and email address at the bottom of column).

Park Lake regular, Nelson Baillie from Castlecaufeild did well to land 3 fish for a decent weight of 6lb. Portadown angler, Thomas Lawless caught 4 fish in total for the week for a weight of 10 ¾ lb. Another of our regulars, John Chambers from Newry had a great day, catching and releasing 7 fish in total. Belfast angler, Billy Shannon managed to land 2 fish for 4lb. Another angler hailing from Belfast, Davy Thompson had a good session landing 3 fish for an outstanding weight of 8lb. Finally, Dennis McAlister lured 3 fish to his landing net for a weight of 3lb.

The Park Lake Fishery continues to be stocked on a weekly basis. For further information and bookings please contact staff on 028 87 728690 or e-mail us at dpreception@dungannon.gov.uk

Mayor's Monteith's Final Week in Office

This week, Mayor Councillor Barry Monteith saw his duties as first citizen come to an end after a very hectic year!

On Monday, the Mayor's Showcase brought colour and talent to Market Square Dungannon. Special guests were the Bavarian Brass Band from Germany, led by local man Paddy Kelly, who are in the area on a whistle stop tour. The group called into the Council offices to a reception hosted by the Mayor on Thursday as their trip to Dungannon came to an end. Additional talent on show was by Footlights Drama Group, Dungannon; CRAIC Theatre, Coalisland and Bardic Theatre, Donaghmore as well as Beyond Skin.

On Tuesday, clients from the Beacon Centre visited the Council chamber, then on Wednesday we hosted an Anti Poverty Awareness Day whereby a range of representatives from the community and voluntary sector met to discuss the ongoing threat of poverty in modern day living.

Other recent initiatives include a Learning at Work day to encourage reading and the launch of an Anti Racism DVD which highlights how to report racist crimes

Tomorrow (Friday) a brand new heritage trail which takes you round the various historical monuments and buildings of Donaghmore and Castlecaulfield will be launched - a downloadable version is now available in the News section of the Council website.

Next week: A new Mayor will be elected at Monday night's AGM, A Plantation of Ulster conference will be held at the Bank House Hotel (4-6 June - tel 028 8772 8613 to register) and if you are interested in educating your child through the medium of the Irish language, an information evening will be held at Council offices on Thursday 5th June at 7.30pm. Contact Ursula on 028 8772 8611 for further information.

COUNCIL TO HOST PLANTATION CONFERENCE AT BANK HOUSE HOTEL
Natives and Newcomers
The Plantation in Ulster.
Bank House Hotel, Dungannon
4-6 June 2008

There are few, if any, events or episodes in Irish history which can claim to have reshaped the landscape, traditions, population and language of Ireland in the manner in which the Plantation has.
The 17th Century gave birth to many of our towns, markets, courts and customs and witnessed the beginning of a process which some would argue is still unfolding today. The Plantation in, rather than of, Ulster was not an overnight occurrence nor was it the wholesale replacement of the Gaelic Irish with ‘Planters’ from England and Scotland.
The language used to describe this era has led to confusion and misconception and this has been compounded by a lack of serious re-evaluation of the early stages of that process by most scholars. The Plantation was never a certainty nor was its success.
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council's Natives and Newcomers conference seeks to explore in more detail the texture and meaning of this crucial period of our shared historical experience. With Dungannon History Forum, the Council has brought together many of the leading authorities on this period to not only commemorate the central importance of the Plantation to Dungannon and Ulster in general , but also to reassess the role of the Plantation in building the society that we share in the twenty-first century.
To book your place at the Natives and Newcomers conference (admission free with small fee for lunch), contact Orla Hughes at Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council on 028 8772 8613