Christmas 07 Invite

Seasons Greetings
Hi Everyone
Happy Christmas to you all.!!

In the spirit of Christmas I had thought it would be a good idea for us to meet up for a coffee, or your preferred beverage. We suggest the Northern Whig corner of Bridge St, Belfast for a get-together on Thursday the 13th December commencing at 4pm. Car-Parking is available at the nearby 'High-Park' in High Street. The Whig is a nice bar/restaurant for those that might want to have something to eat too. This is an informal gathering, a chance to meet up before Christmas for a bit of craic and festive cheer. Everyone is invited.

I hope to see many of you there

Frank Costello

A Walk on the Mild Side (A Christmas Story)

Rain stopped play on the annual NICB walk again this year with another poor turnout due to the bad weather. With only two of us turning out for the planned walk and amid driving rain and freezing temperatures a quick route change seemed to be the smartest course of action. So with only a short hesitation to sample the delights of the Christmas market in the grounds of the City Hall our two (un)-wise men set off in search of the crib of the John Hewitt. Alas like the travellers of Christmas past they could find no room at the Inn (it was closed). They tried another nearby establishment (The Duke of York) and were again disappointed. Following the signs left by travellers past they headed into the West but found no maddening crowd at Maddens either and sought strength in the Hercules where they at last basked in the golden glow of the dark liquid ... and a warm open fire. Their quest was met, a walk in the city was had, ale was drunk and stories told (alas all heard before), a Christmas tale had been unfurled. Then off to a nearby taxi-stand and a different story at home to be sold.

2008 Recruitment

The Northern Ireland Community Builders Programme
(designed by Frank Costello Associates)

Will be recruiting from January 7th
for the 2008 Programme

The Programme will include an external component in New York from
April 10th to May 10th, 2008.

We are asking all past graduates for help in next year's recruitment by ensuring this information is visible andavailable to as many potential applicants as possible.For a full information package and application form

on or after January 7th 2008 ONLY

please contact by telephone or email:
Stafford Reynolds (for Northern Ireland Community Builders Programme)

Telephone 07802-940407

Email: nicbprogramme@btinternet.comor

or go to www.northernirelandcommunitybuilders.com

Northern Ireland Community

Builders' Programme

2nd Annual Conference
'The Role of the Northern Ireland Community Builders' Network in Building a Shared Future'

This year's conference will be held in the Wellington Park Hotel on Thursday 15th November to Friday 16th November. This is the 6th year of the programme and its second conference. It is important that as many as possible of the past graduates attend as we will be examining participant's potential role in a shared future in Northern Ireland.

The conference time-table is;

Thursday 9am – 5pm, with Lunch at 12.15pm and Dinner at 7pmFriday 9am – 1.30pm with Lunch at 12noon.
Please RSVP to; info@northernirelandcommunitybuilders.com

A Walk on the Mild Side

Following the poor turn-out for our last walk it was decided to take our next one on more level ground. To that end I would like to invite all NICB Alumni, Board members, Family and Friends to A Walk on the Mild Side at 1pm on Sunday 2nd December 2007. The whole walk is on pavement and tarmac and is accessible for wheelchair users and parents with buggies. This is a city centre route beginning at City Hall and ending a short distance away from there at Writers Square in Donegall Street before retiring to the John Hewitt pub for refreshments. It is approximately 1.5 miles long and should last about 1hr 30 mins. The walk will be punctuated with a scripted commentary on local landmarks, trade tripe, historical titbits, political prattle and general backstreet gossip. Feel free to add to the yarns as you wish, its all about the craic.
Interested? Meet at the City Hall at 1pm on Sunday 2nd December 2007.
Telephone DaBig-Guy on 07716716647 or email DaBig-Guy for more info.

In Sympathy

It is with great regret that I inform you of the death of our fellow graduate and friend, Gary King. Our sympathies go to his wife Sandra, his children and family in this time of grief. May he rest in Peace.




The following notice was placed in the Belfast Telegraph on the 2nd October 2007;

King, Gary, John. - September 30, 2007, (peacefully), at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen .... beloved husband of Sandra, dearly-loved father of Gareth and Sarah, dear son of Audrey and the late Jack, and the much loved brother of Karl and Tara. Removal from the family home today (Tuesday) at 6.00pm to Enniskillen Presbyterian Church. Funeral tomorrow (Wednesday), at 1.30pm followed by burial in Cross Cemetery. House private please. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu if desired, to Cancer Research N.Ireland, payable to W.T. Morrison, Funeral Directors, 41 Darling Street, Enniskillen. BT4 7DP. Lovingly remembered by his family circle and his many friends.

"Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."Proverbs Ch3 v5

Anyone wishing to express their condolences can do so by clicking the comments link below.

Northern Ireland Community Builders' Programme
2nd Annual Conference

'The Role of the Northern Ireland Community Builders' Network in Building a Shared Future'

This year's conference will be held in the Wellington Park Hotel on Thursday 15th November to Friday 16th November. This is the 6th year of the programme and its second conference. It is important that as many as possible of the past graduates attend as we will be examining participant's potential role in a shared future in Northern Ireland. The conference will be addressed by Dr Bill Eimicke of Colombia University, New York.
The conference will include provision for shared overnight accommodation of 30 double occupancy rooms for those that intend to stay over. Please RSVP by October 25th 2007 to confirm your attendance and book your room. Please state if you have arranged to share a room with another graduate.
The conference time-table is;
Thursday 9am – 5pm, with Lunch at 12.15pm and Dinner at 7pm
Friday 9am – 1.30pm with Lunch at 12noon.

Please RSVP to;
nicbprogramme@btinternet.com or info@northernirelandcommunitybuilders.com

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to all of the new Northern Ireland Community Builders 2007. You should have all received notification of your success by now. An induction meeting has been arranged in the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast on Monday 25th June, 9.30am to 2pm. Past graduates are also invited to attend. please contact Northern Ireland Community Builders or DaBig-Guy to confirm your attendance.

North Belfast NICB Steering Group

A meeting has been planned to resurrect the North Belfast NICB Steering Group. Details have been e-mailed out to past graduates with an interest in this area. However if you would like to attend and require the details please e-mail me by clicking here, DaBig-Guy.

The agenda for the meeting is;

• A review of the group's past successes.
• An update on the ESCAPE Project.
• Updates on other work being carried out
• Discussion on whether the group will attempt a number of small projects or one large project.
• Potential funding for projects

In Sympathy

Our sympathies go to Frank and the Costello family on the death of their Mother. May She Rest in Peace.

The following notice was posted in the Boston Herald. Those wishing to post condolences can visit
http://www.legacy.com/BostonGlobe/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=88083521 or post a comment on here.

Costello, Kathleen

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Kathleen (Nee-Perrill) of South Boston, Native of County Galway, Ireland, May 15, 2007. Beloved wife of the late Francis J. Costello. Devoted mother of Francis Costello of Belfast and Thomas Costello of NY. Also lovingly survived by her 8 grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester Street, SOUTH BOSTON, Thursday 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 P.M., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Brigid's Church, Friday at 10:00 A.M. Interment Blue Hill Cemetery, Neponset. For information and directions www.casperfuneralhome.com

Black Mountain Walk, More Pics

Roisin, Pete & Fergal

Roisin, Dermot and Pete

(Click on Pics for better view)

NI Community Builders Reach New Heights

Despite desperate weather conditions a few NICB graduates braved the elements on Sunday and rose to the challenge of the 'ascent' on Black Mountain. Led by National Trust warden, Dermot McCann, the group availed of his wealth of knowledge on the history, terrain and bio-diversity of one of the diamonds (albeit rough) of the National Trust's Northern Irish treasures. The day started under a squall of rain but as clouds dispersed, soon brightened up, although the wind was unrelenting. We visited the remains of ancient settlements and learned about modern methods such GPS Satellite Tracking systems that are being used to uncover the secrets of bronze-age living conditions and burial sites. We saw the wonders of reptile reproduction as thousands of frogspawn scurried around in little pools and evidenced their future fate through the remains of little bones left by hungry birds after they had snatched whole frogs and eaten them on top of nearby tree stumps. We watched the Mourne mountains emerge from behind a dull misty skyline until the peaks and slopes were clearly visible to the naked eye. Dermot led us across the 'plastic road' laid over the blanket bog and explained that it had just recently been re-positioned by volunteers from the PSNI training college. He showed us the dangerous bog at the edge of the road by easily pushing a four foot walking stick into the mud like a hot knife through butter. Dermot pointed out the looming Divis Mountain with its now unmanned military communications post and told us of the fantastic views that can be see from its peak, right into Co. Donegal. Passing the 300 foot plus 'BBC' aerial we trekked on toward the peak of Black Mountain and were rewarded with an awesome panoramic view across Belfast City out toward the Ards penninsular and out into the Irish sea. We could make out many, many well known landmarks and were surprised to see that the city looked so small from up there. We wondered at the fact, and as to how, such a small city had held world news headlines for so many years. As we stood at the viewing platform overlooking five of the counties of Northern Ireland, as representatives from the NI Probation Board, Police and Community, the irony was not lost on us.

After a short break for tea, drinks and even sandwiches we made our 'descent' as Dermot enthralled us with even more historic and environmental snippets and with the sun now shining on us. All in all it was a great day out. Another walk has been suggested, this time along the tow-path and back into Belfast (ending at the John Hewitt). This has yet to be arranged. Details will be posted here for those interested. Many thanks to Dermot for his guided tour and congratulations to those that participated. Well Done!!

NICB 2007 Recruitment

The Northern Ireland Community Builders Programme,

designed by Frank Costello Associates

Recruiting is now under way for 2007 programme
Which will include an external component in New York from

September 13th to October 13th, 2007.

We are asking all past graduates to help in this year's recruitment by ensuring this information is visible and
available to as many potential applicants as possible.

For a full information package and application form please contact by telephone or email:
Stafford Reynolds (for Northern Ireland Community Builders Programme)
Telephone 07802-940407
Email: nicbprogramme@btinternet.com
or
go to www.northernirelandcommunitybuilders.com

Deadline 3pm Thursday April 19, 2007 (Post mark or delivery)

The success of this programme depends on the diversity of the participants and so applications are invited from all sections of the community, including women and members of ethnic minorities. Applications are particularly encouraged from those living or working in interface areas. A number of Belfast based places on this programme will be supported by the Peace II funding via Belfast Local Strategy Partnership, in cooperation with Queens University's Urban Institute.

NICB Team Building Event

A guided walk has been arranged for NICB Alumni, Board and friends, to be held on the 6th May 2007 starting at 12pm from the National Trust’s offices on Divis Road, Belfast. Weather permitting; the walk will afford participants the opportunity to view spectacular panoramic views of Belfast, the Ards peninsular, sight of five of the counties of Northern Ireland, the shores of the Isle of Wight and the English coastline. The terrain is dry and classed as a ‘moderate walk’. Participants are advised to bring warm clothes and adequate footwear. Bring a flask (your choice) and enjoy the stunning views from Black Mountain.
For information on the walk and the property at Divis and Black Mountain click this link Divis & Black Mountain . It is intended to follow this up with a quick drink in 'The Crown Bar' in Belfast. As seats can be reserved would anyone intending to go please e-mail me or leave a comment, to get an idea of numbers. Hope to see you all there. (PS Click on pic to get a better view)