Boost for Drumahoe

The Drumahoe Community Association and the YMCA have come together to secure the first Re-imaging Communities grant given for a project on a main road into a city in Northern Ireland.

Though it is less than the 50,000 applied for, the award has delighted members of the community association and YMCA.

The grant will be used to create pieces of artwork on the main Glenshane Road - which will highlight the village as a unique entity rather than an entry point to Londonderry itself - and help remove grafitti and clean-up pavements.

It will also be used to provide open air sculptured seating in the heart of the Faughanside village.

A newsletter distributed by the association confirmed: "In conjunction with the YMCA we have been successful in obtaining a Re-imaging grant of 33,000 which we hope will be used for village improvements, eg removal of grafitti, provision of seating and village entrance/exit identification artwork."

Hilary McClintock, of Drumahoe Community Association said the association's members were "delighted" at the grant award.

She said: "We are delighted this money is coming into the village and that it will help brighten it up. The idea is that at present people go through Drumahoe and don't always realise that they are travelling through a village. The money for the partnership of the community association and YMCA will allow for the creation of two entry and exit features on the main road, and also for a seat. The Arts Council are keen on the idea of sculptured seating being provided somewhere central in the village.

"We will now tender for an artist who will consult widely with the people of the village. We have already set up a steering group and will engage further with Roads Service, as the art features will be along the main road. Therefore they will have to be suitable for their location, though they will also be relevant to the village of Drumahoe. It's quite exciting, and it's the first Re-imaging programme to feature on the main road into a city. The main thing is that it will highlight Drumahoe as an entity in its own right."

William Lamrock, of the YMCA, said: "We are delighted to be part of the bid to put a couple of focal points to the entries to the village, and we are delighted to be working with Drumahoe Community Association on the project, and hope everyone will be in agreement about what we are trying to do."

The application to the Arts Council said that contact has been made with a variety of groups including "the young people attending the YMCA, the local primary school, the community playgroup, Institute Football Club, senior citizens, ex combatants, local businesses and utilities in the neighbourhood".

It added: "Through an innovative arts project we wish to re-image the arterial route through Drumahoe village so that those passing through from Belfast to Londonderry are aware that they are passing through a village with significant historical interest. The reimaging will incorporate creative artistic entrance features at either approach on the A6 through the village."

The application said associated sculptural seating and associated landscaping and planting will be incorporated to improve aesthetics. Other positives included in the application included: "The re-imaging of the area will regenerate the area by: removing negative and sectarian graffit, kerb painting; helping to dispel the negative aesthetics in the area; encouraging greater community participation in and appreciation of the environment; instilling a sense of pride within the village; providing focal points for the community; providing an attractive public space for users; provide a welcome environment for visitors to the area.

It is envisaged that, following consultations between the artist and communities, the proposed outcomes for the project will be displayed in public places in the village and the views of the public and those involved in the original workshops will be taken on board.