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EDRCN are pleased to announce we received a special award at the Co-operation Ireland Pride Of Place Awards 2011  held in Gorey Co. Wexford on November 5th 2011.

We would like to thank Down District Council Chief Executive John Dumigan, and Damien Brannigan, Community Relations Officer, for the kind nomination and for their support in organising and financing our role in the competition.

However, it is vital to also acknowledge the role of all our staff, board members and volunteers over all these years for their commitment and dedication to the community in Down & Ards and beyond.

Below is the citation read out at the Awards Ceremony announcing EDRCN’s success –

“The final Special Award is in respect of a group that has established and is implementing an excellent model of community development. This is to meet the needs of rural communities and this is achieved by stimulating and facilitating community and voluntary activity. This has the effect of ensuring an effective input from the community to the social, economic and environmental development of the area. The success of the Ballymote Centre in revitalising a previously very depressed area is testament to their work. The winner of the final Special Award is……East Down Rural Community Network.”

Press release from Cooperation Ireland –

Downpatrick takes Top Prize in All-Island Pride of Place Competition

East Down Rural Community Network took top prize in the annual Co-operation Ireland All-Island Pride of Place Awards announced at the gala ceremony in Gorey, County Wexford on Saturday (5 November).

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan TD along with Co-operation Ireland Chairman Christopher Moran and Pride of Place Committee Chairman Tom Dowling presented the group with their award.

Winning a Special Award, the judges said that the group had established and implemented an excellent model of community development which meets the needs of rural communities. The group achieved this by stimulating and facilitating community and voluntary activity. They continued “This has the effect of ensuring an effective input from the community to the social, economic and environmental development of the area. The success of the Ballymote Centre in revitalising a previously very depressed area is testament to their work.”

During the evening, the Minister paid tribute to all the participating groups who work tirelessly to create and promote pride in their cities, towns and villages.

The All-Island Pride of Place Competition recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community partnerships make to society. The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area. It differs from other similar projects in thatthey specifically recognise the involvement of the local community in all aspects of rural and urban regeneration including, promoting social cohesion, involvement in planning, the promotion of heritage and environmental awareness.

The Competition is run by Co-operation Ireland in conjunction with the Pride of Place Steering Committee.

Peter Sheridan Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland said:

“I congratulate all the winners of this year’s Pride of Place Awards. The accolade is recognition of the commitment and hard work groups undertake for the good of their local community.

Although there can only be one winner in each category, this Awards Ceremony is an occasion to acknowledge the efforts of all groups, throughout the island, who were nominated by their local authority. In effect getting to this point is success in itself”.

Pride of Place Chairman Tom Dowling declared,

“I am delighted with the turnout and support all the groups received this evening, both winners and all groups in attendance. It highlights the appreciation and esteem in which community and voluntary organisations are held in throughout the island”.

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