Building on last year’s success, the Woollen Woods art installation makes a welcome return to Pomeroy Forest from Friday 1st July until Sunday 17th July. In preparation for the event Pomeroy is truly buzzing with young and old alike getting creative and producing items for the Pomeroy Woollen Woods. This activity forms part of the Connecting Pomeroy project, supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and led by Mid Ulster District Council.

Michael Kelly from Rural Action who are responsible for the Community Engagement aspect of the Connecting Pomeroy project stated, “We are hoping that local community groups, schools, households and individuals can all get involved and create hundreds of beautiful creations, which will be displayed in Pomeroy Forest during the Woollen Wood event due to be held in July. In June, we will be running display makers workshops to bring the community together to help create items for the planned Woollen Woods event”

Woollen Woods is a public art project that invites people to create woodland creatures made of wool and display them in quirky outdoor art installations. Rural Action and the Connecting Pomeroy project are calling out to crafters out there to create something to be part of the woolly outdoor exhibition. Local groups and individuals are being asked if they could crochet a ladybird, felt a rabbit or knit a robin as part of the programme. An open invite is extended to everyone in the local area to contribute a little woollen ‘something’ to this year’s theme of ‘Wonderful Wildlife’ and to have it placed in the fantastic setting of Pomeroy Forest. Art pieces can be made out of a range of materials and be of various sizes. The pieces should be made with materials suitable for display in the forest and be able to withstand any inclement weather (wind and rain). If you have any items that you would like to donate for the Woollen Woods, please leave in the foyer of the Rowan Tree Centre, Pomeroy (please note display items cannot be returned)

For further information on the Woollen Woods event visit the Pomeroy People and Place Facebook page or contact Rosemary at the Rural Action office on (028) 8648 0900.

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 in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development, 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