OMAGH STREETS THRONGED WITH SHOPPERS
Omagh streets thronged with shoppers
BY:MICHELE CANNING
Support from outsiders is heart-warming
The streets of Omagh were thronged with shoppers on saturday when over 800 people arrived in the town to 'Give a Day to Omagh' the visitors included 600 from District Partnerships of each of the six counties and 200 well wishers from the south.
'Give a day to Omagh' is an invitation to the people of Ireland to come and spend a day in the town in the runup to Christmas to support the community in the aftermath of the bomb.
Since the atrocity, some members of the general public have been reluctant to return to the town centre.
As a consequence local businesses have had difficulty in attempting to return to normality.
The campaign is aimed at reversing that trend, not just for one day, but for the future.
Harry Parkinson, Omagh District Partnership Project Manager said he was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people who took time time out to visit the town on Saturday.
He thanked the District Partnerships for acting together and making such a substantial impact on the town.
Thanks were also paid to Translink and the Ulster American Folk park.
Drew Baxter, Chairman of the Partnership, said the response from people is to be highly commended.
Roy Alien, Chairman of Omagh Traders Association, said he was impressed and grateful for the response to the campaign, and said he hoped it would continue into the New Year.
Patrick Bogues, Co-Ordinator of 'Give a Day to Omagh' said "the goodwill that exists for the people of the town is heart-warming and shows that it is possible for the town to be reborn following such a tragedy.
As the result of an idea from Jack Deans, Chairman of North Down District Partnership, 550 people from throughout Northern Ireland arrived simultaneously in Omagh at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Ulsterbus contributed 50 per cent of the travel costs. A short reception was held in the Royal Arms attended by all the visitors, representatives of Omagh District Partnership and Joe Byrne (local councillor and N.I.P.B. member). Jim Dougal, Head of the European Commission was the special guest. After the morning shopping in town the visitors made their way to the Folk Park which was free of charge. Pictured at the reception are Drew Baxter, Chairman, Omagh District Partnership; Harry Parkinson, Project Manager, O.D.P.; Roy Alien, Chairman Omagh Traders Association; Jim Dougal, Head of the European Commission, and Joe Byrne, Northern Ireland Partnership Board representative.
BY:MICHELE CANNING
Support from outsiders is heart-warming
The streets of Omagh were thronged with shoppers on saturday when over 800 people arrived in the town to 'Give a Day to Omagh' the visitors included 600 from District Partnerships of each of the six counties and 200 well wishers from the south.
'Give a day to Omagh' is an invitation to the people of Ireland to come and spend a day in the town in the runup to Christmas to support the community in the aftermath of the bomb.
Since the atrocity, some members of the general public have been reluctant to return to the town centre.
As a consequence local businesses have had difficulty in attempting to return to normality.
The campaign is aimed at reversing that trend, not just for one day, but for the future.
Harry Parkinson, Omagh District Partnership Project Manager said he was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people who took time time out to visit the town on Saturday.
He thanked the District Partnerships for acting together and making such a substantial impact on the town.
Thanks were also paid to Translink and the Ulster American Folk park.
Drew Baxter, Chairman of the Partnership, said the response from people is to be highly commended.
Roy Alien, Chairman of Omagh Traders Association, said he was impressed and grateful for the response to the campaign, and said he hoped it would continue into the New Year.
Patrick Bogues, Co-Ordinator of 'Give a Day to Omagh' said "the goodwill that exists for the people of the town is heart-warming and shows that it is possible for the town to be reborn following such a tragedy.
As the result of an idea from Jack Deans, Chairman of North Down District Partnership, 550 people from throughout Northern Ireland arrived simultaneously in Omagh at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Ulsterbus contributed 50 per cent of the travel costs. A short reception was held in the Royal Arms attended by all the visitors, representatives of Omagh District Partnership and Joe Byrne (local councillor and N.I.P.B. member). Jim Dougal, Head of the European Commission was the special guest. After the morning shopping in town the visitors made their way to the Folk Park which was free of charge. Pictured at the reception are Drew Baxter, Chairman, Omagh District Partnership; Harry Parkinson, Project Manager, O.D.P.; Roy Alien, Chairman Omagh Traders Association; Jim Dougal, Head of the European Commission, and Joe Byrne, Northern Ireland Partnership Board representative.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0636
Published Date: 17-Dec-98
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