An eventful summer in Fermanagh and Omagh!

There was fun and frolics in Fermanagh and Omagh last weekend as large crowds enjoyed summer events across the district. With lots on offer including live music, storytelling, characters and games – there was entertainment for all the family.

Teddy Bear’s have their Picnic in Omagh

Omagh’s Grange Park celebrated the return of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, an event that pays tribute to the famous ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ song written by Omagh-native, Jimmy Kennedy.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, supported by Apex, Arbour, and Radius Housing Associations through the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme, hosted the fun day on Saturday, 27th July.
People of all ages sang along with Tom Sweeny’s ‘Tots and Teddy’ singalong and joined in activities including storytelling with Libraries NI, games and rhymes with LAST Sure Start, a Tree Trail, Bug Hunt and the ‘Teddy Bear New Home Hunt’.
Interactive games, activities, facepainting and children’s characters added to the excitement on the day along with music from St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band.

Now in its 10th year, the annual ‘Hats off to Forthill’ event returned to Enniskillen on Friday, 26th July. Local people and visitors came along and tried out traditional games including hula hooping and rope making while enjoying live music from talented artist, Antonia Cameron.
Other highlights on the day included biodiversity activities, facepainting and balloon modelling as well as workshops encouraging children to get active with song and dance.
Visitors took the opportunity to see the statue of Galbraith Lowry Cole up close and the panoramic 360-degree view of Enniskillen from the top of the 98ft tower.

Sounds of summer
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Seasonal Outdoor Music Programme also continued over the weekend, with a showcase of live music on Sunday 28th July. The programme, now in its third week and features talented artists performing at the Round O in Enniskillen and Grange Park in Omagh. Visitors have so far enjoyed performances from Sharon Leonard, Aiden Scott Browne, Tumbleweed, Fermanagh Concert Band, Graham Mc Kinstry and Luke Bell and the programme continues for the remainder of the summer.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry commented;
‘’It was fantastic to see such a huge turnout at both Hats off to Forthill and The Teddy Bears Picnic in Fermanagh and Omagh over the weekend. It was an added bonus that the sun came out and those attending could enjoy these events in pleasant weather.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to providing the highest quality experience for both residents and visitors. Offering free events is one way the Council aims to achieve this goal, showcasing its commitment to the community. Additionally, it is wonderful to see our parks being used as shared spaces for everyone to enjoy.
On behalf of the Council, I would like to extend thanks to Apex, Arbour, and Radius Housing Associations through the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme who sponsored the Teddy Bear’s Picnic event.’’

Joanne Coyle Head of Housing Management at Arbour Housing said: “Arbour in partnership with Apex and Radius were delighted to support the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic. It was a great opportunity for us to meet local people and showcase our new developments in the town. It was truly an enjoyable day with lots of fun filled activities, entertainment and music, a delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We would like to extend our thanks to FODC for their invitation in allowing us to support such a fantastic community event.”

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is sponsoring a number of upcoming events taking place in the district and I encourage everyone to avail of what is on offer in Fermanagh and Omagh throughout the remainder of the summer.
For more information on upcoming events visit the Events Section on the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com/events

-ENDS-

EDITOR FOOTER NOTES:
The Teddy Bears Picnic was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
Arbour, Radius and Apex Housing continues to work in partnership with the local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver a good relations plan for the Omagh area.