Crossfire Trust’s festival week at Darkley House has, yet again, proven to be a fabulous success. Somehow or other the bad weather, for the most part, stayed away and certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending the various events. Tuesday 3rd July saw the start of the festival and many thanks to John Woods from Linwoods, whose talk to an invited audience of businessmen and women on how to overcome the troubles of the past and how to survive and succeed in business, was positive and inspiring.
Crossfire Trust director Ian Bothwell has been recognised for 30 years of service to the people of south Armagh, in being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
“It is a great honour to receive this award and I can only thank all those who have supported Crossfire Trust over the years, especially my wife Pauline who has stood by me through the good and bad times” Ian said.
Crossfire Trust, together with Memory Making Ltd and Coach House Regeneration Ltd, recently honoured their volunteers with a celebration meal. It was supported by Volunteer Now, whose input has helped the organisation to grow. The evening provided the Director of Crossfire Trust, Ian Bothwell, who launched these two community businesses, with the opportunity of revealing some forthcoming events, their challenges and opportunities. People responded by purchasing tickets for ´Romance in the Land´ and offering their time to create a colourful float for the St Patrick´s Day parade.
A cross-border delegation of politicians met in Armagh last week before visiting the Crossfire project at Darkley House. Politicians from both sides of the border praised the work of the Trust, a group that helps people affected by the Troubles and tries to keep the young away from dissident groups.
Politicians from both sides of the Border have praised a Co Armagh group that helps people affected by the Troubles and tries to keep the young away from dissident groups.
Ian Bothwell, who met a cross-border delegation of politicians at Darkley House in south Armagh yesterday, was in nearby Keady on Tuesday night going about the regular work of the Crossfire Trust, which he runs and which he founded in 1986.
A South Armagh peacemaker has urged border Catholics to consider ways in which they might help their Protestant neighbours feel less insecure.
The comments came after decisions were made to close two state primary schools in south Armagh that are predominantly attended by Protestant children and are closing due to falling enrolment numbers.
Last week Education Minister John O’Dowd announced that decisions had been taken to close Keady and Aghavilly primary schools, which are both located in the border area south of Armagh.
A SOUTH Armagh Christian charity has once again issued an open invitation to anyone facing a lonely Christmas to join them for a turkey dinner on the big day.
Crossfire Trust, based in the village of Darkley near Keady, has been holding an open house on Christmas Day for almost 20 years.
“There is a greater need this year than ever,” said director Ian Bothwell. “Christmas Day is when the pressure of loneliness really impacts more than any other day. And the financial uncertainties and dread of cold weather are adding to people’s fears even more this year."
Monday 19 December 2011 saw the visit of the Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland MLA, to Crossfire Trust.
The minister was accompanied by The Mayor of Armagh City and District Council Freda Donnelly, Mr William Irwin MLA and Mr Ian Ervine from the Department of Social Development.
On Monday 28 November Mayor Freda Donnelly Armagh City & District Council attended the launch of the Crossfire Trust 2012 fundraising Calendar.
The Directors and staff of Crossfire Trust received a great boost from The Mayor who eagerly endorsed the work undertaken in Crossfire Trust Care Programme.
