2007 EVENTS:    



From slopes of Benaughlin, looking towards Florence Court over a sea of Wood Rush

 

Our Spring Meeting was held on Saturday 19  May, 2007. The venue - Gortatole Outdoor Education  Centre- near Florence Court  in Fermanagh. After a welcome cup of tea on arrival, everyone prepared for one of  three walks of varying difficulty .
The energetic trekked up Benaughlin with Robin Ferguson,  those interested in historical aspects walked in the burren area, near Florence Court,  and the third group went to the beautiful Cladagh Glen.
Everyone returned for 13:30, ready for an excellent buffet lunch provided by the Fermanagh Ramblers who were excellent  hosts.         
The afternoon business began with a talk by Dr Marie Cowan ,Head of Communications, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (Tellus Project) . Dr Cowan gave a most interesting talk on the work of GSNI. The recent     Tellus mapping project was explained . The extensive range of geological information which GSNI provides for government departments and other agencies was outlined .  Marie then showed interesting maps and provided basic detail on many interesting geological aspects including natural radioactivity hot spots, water resources and pollution , areas where oil, gold and other minerals might be present.  The Chairman thanked Marie and made a small presentation . 

  
A group from UFRC pictured at the meeting.  Robin Ferguson from Fermanagh Ramblers in the centre     
                         

Derek Matthews, UFRC treasurer introduced the workshops (below) and thanked Trevor Fisher -Director of Tollymore Mountain Centre for making the journey to Gortatole and giving us the benefit of his knowledge and experience. Derek explained that there seemed to be considerable movement towards walking groups being led by leaders with a range of leadership qualifications and that this may eventually lead to changes in insurance requirements.  Our workshops were intended to provide some feedback on what UFRC might do to help on leadership  issues.      

Annual  General  Meeting took place on Saturday, 20 October 2007 in McNeill Theatre, Larne .  The event was kindly hosted by by East Antrim Club. A morning walks programme was followed at 2pm by presentations by Graham Seymour ,Linda Foy and Eszter Ballo .Graham eloquently outlined the  government position on Access and Countryside issues, Linda entertained us with an interesting  and colourful presentation on the Antrim Hills Way. Eszter outlined the new CAAN "Ranger" scheme for monitoring of way-marked ways.
UFRC was pleased to have as guests Stuart Garland and Aodhnait Carroll from MCI and Nollaig and Finola  McDonald from the newly formed WAI   
The Business meeting was held at 3.00 pm and the following  were elected to the executive . 
Chairperson - Reg Magowan, Secretary - Ronnie Carser, Treasurer -Derek Matthews
Executive members - Bill Darby,  Ronnie Irvine, Trevor Russell , Thomas McKenna , Harry Goodman ,Richard Lappin , David Sloan and  May Walker . 
This was a well attended and successful AGM .  UFRC affiliated clubs appear to be active and thriving .  Many thanks are due to excellent speakers and to East Antrim Rambling Club .  They had expertly organized the morning walks, the lunch was excellent  and the venue ideal . 
 

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