Seskinore Rural Community Group along with local councillors recently visited Knockmany Forest outside Augher to see at first hand how a community lead project can bring about major investment in the local area and benefit all ages with access to improved outdoor spaces. Seskinore Rural Community Group met with Gerry McCaffrey from Eskra Community Association who shared his experience on achieving major investment in the Knockmany Forest.
The Knockmany Development Project which was completed in summer 2019 achieved funding of £265,000 involved construction of recreational trails, building a larger car park, clearage of trees & foliage, improved visitor facilities including a brand new building containing meeting spaces, kitchen and toilets (including state of the art disabled toilets). Eskra Community Association was a ‘vehicle’ to bring together the various funding bodies in order to facilitate the Mid Ulster Council to manage the Knockmany Project. The project was funded by Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (Tackling Rural Poverty & Social Isolation Framework), SPORT NI (Outdoor Spaces Every Body Active 2020 initiative) and also matched funding from Mid Ulster District Council.
Members of the Group and local councillors went on a short walk around Knockmany Forest guided by Gerry McCaffrey who shared his knowledge on the ambitious vision to see the forest being fully utilized into a centre in which people of all ages can enjoy the outdoors in a healthy clean & safe environment. This was a useful learning experience for the Seskinore Group to see how a local community association can bring about change about to a local asset which has huge potential. Robert Riddell Chairman of Seskinore Rural Community Group said ‘The Knockmany project is a perfect example of what the Group would like to achieve in Seskinore. It was very encouraging to see how well used the facilities are and the obvious benefit for physical and mental well being’.
Local Councillors representing Sinn Fein, UUP, SDLP and DUP also attended the Knockmany Forest visit which was very encouraging for the group. Councillor Mary Garrity said ‘ that the trip to Knockmany really highlights the untapped potential in Seskinore Forest. The collaborative approach which took place in Knockmany between the community, council and departments is exactly what is needed for Seskinore’.
Speaking after the visit to Knockmany Forest Cllr Rainey ‘wished to express his thanks to the group and Gerry Mc Caffery for the conducted tour and informative talk along the way bringing the project to its present form. Whilst the typography of Knockmany lends itself to a more challenging and competitive groupings Seskinore has a more softer appeal for senior citizens and young families which Seskinore and surrounding area are blessed to have in abundance and crying out for an enhancement to the present existing vicinity. This challenge is not for the faint hearted but with the present community group re invigorated I feel confident that they are up for that challenge and all the problems that may present .As a councillor for West Tyrone I wish the community group every good wish and pledge my support for a positive outcome’.
Cllr Paul Robinson added ‘The visit to Knockmany Forest was very beneficial. I see that Seskinore Forest has a great potential and opportunity for the Community in tourism, Education, Health and wellbeing. I look forward to seeing the project develop’.
Seskinore Forest has been neglected for a number of years however it is a beautiful outdoor space with a diverse ecosystem, there are also heritage and history aspects with McClintock Family Estate and American Army WW2 bases linking various landmarks in the forest. Therefore Seskinore Rural Community Group have started to work with various parties including Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in order to develop Seskinore Forest with a view to improving facilities and making the forest more accessible for the local community.
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