Dungiven named ‘Business’ Winner at Calor Village of the Year Awards
 Dungiven was today named ‘Business’ category winner at the Calor Village of the Year® 2007 awards ceremony at Galgorm Manor Hotel, hosted by TV personality Ben Fogel.
The County L’Derry village beat stiff competition from 15 other villages across Northern Ireland to win the coveted title and a cash prize of £1,000.
Speaking about Dungiven, Mark McClements, Sales Manager, Calor said: “We all know how important business is within rural communities in providing employment opportunities and in helping to sustain our way of life. With an estimated 1,000 jobs being provided locally, Dungiven is managing to overcome losses associated with the demise of the textile industry.
“The community has worked hard to ensure the development of new business facilities and is providing young people with the opportunities to start up in business through low cost loan schemes.”
Broughshane was named the overall Calor Village of the Year® 2007 with Belleek (Community Life), Randalstown (Young People Award), Ahoghill (Older People Award), Killyfoyle (Environment Award) and Cushendal (Community Award) picking up the category accolades.
Commenting on the competition and the welcome impression all the competing villages reflected on the competition judges, Martin McDonald, Chief Executive, RDC added: “We visited 23 villages in total – some big, some small, some you would class as traditional village settlements. Speaking on behalf of all the judges I can say that we were overwhelmed by the welcome we got in each and every community.”
“Not only did we see and experience the beauty of rural Northern Ireland, we also met many inspirational, motivated and outright encouraging people – real ambassadors of rural life. Although there was only one overall winner we must applaud all the villages for their participation and for the great work they are doing in their respective communities.”
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michele Gildernew MP MLA attended the Calor Village of the Year Awards.
The Minister said: "The Calor Village of the Year awards highlight the many elements which make up rural life. The awards recognise the role of the community as a whole; the contribution of business, how different generations through young people to older people engage, the environment and how these different parts of a community communicate with one another. The awards truly recognise the multi faceted nature of rural life.
Ends
>> Download this press release as a word document
Media contact:
AndersonSprattGroup Public Relations
Kate Thompson or Russell Lever
Tel: 028 9080 2000
Email: kthompson@andersonspratt.com or rlever@andersonspratt.com
|
