Pomeroy forest was the setting for the culmination of a joint Pomeroy Minecraft Education programme, undertaken by the local Queen Elizabeth II Primary school and St Mary’s Primary school which took place on Tuesday 29th March. The programme was courtesy of the Connecting Pomeroy project, a project funded by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and led by Mid Ulster District Council, with community engagement activities, facilitated by Rural Action. Connecting Pomeroy’ is a £5M EU PEACE IV project creating community cohesion, community facilities and an iconic magic forest and visitor centre in the County Tyrone village.
Since early January the two schools have jointly been working with the AmmA Creative Learning Centre, Armagh to deliver this Minecraft Education programme.
Following the introductory sessions where the pupils-built Jungle huts and Space Bases in Minecraft, the students then got to work – studying the architectural drawings and planned drawings of the new Forestry building planned for Pomeroy Forest, then developing a 3D representation of the Forestry building.
The pupils during their visit to Pomeroy Forest saw the site where the new Forestry building will be built and enjoyed a range of activities. Building ‘egg crafts’ to support maiden voyages back to earth for their eggs, the various groups participating only saw ‘Jeremy Clarkson II’ successfully return to earth without breaking their egg! The children also enjoyed hearing the range of sounds during a soundscape activity undertaken on site and continued their creativity by using natural materials to create mandalas. Thanks to the two schools for actively participating in the Minecraft Education Programme.
The Minecraft Education programme is one of a number of initiatives delivered recently by Rural Action as part of the Connecting Pomeroy ‘Community Engagement’ plan. For more details on the plan’s current activities and for those planned for the months ahead, please see the following website https://ruralaction.co/what-we-do/connecting-pomeroy/ or visit the facebook page Pomeroy People & Place
The Connecting Pomeroy project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Delivery of the initiative is being spearheaded by a community partnership and co-ordinated by Mid Ulster District Council. Match-funding has been provided by the Department for Communities, Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland.
It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society.
The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and in the case of INTERREG VA, Western Scotland.
The PEACE IV Programme has a value of €270 million and aims to promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland.
For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu
If you’d like to know more about Connecting Pomeroy project please visit https://www.midulstercouncil.org/connectingpomeroy or contact Hannah McCabe at Mid Ulster District Council on 03000 132 132 or email hannah.mccabe@midulstercouncil.org Connecting Pomeroy – Community Engagement Programme is being delivered by Rural Action for further information contact Michael Kelly (028) 8648 0900 or email michael@ruralaction.co