Community comes together for major clean-up in Omagh

A COMMUNITY in Omagh has come together to improve their local area.

Members of the Hospital Road Community Association and Blair Memorial Flute Band were joined by residents of the Hospital Road area, along with residents from other areas of Omagh, for a recent  which saw people of all ages coming together to participate in various activities.

The local community was joined by the Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Elaine Brough, to unveil a plaque to commemorate the tree planting at Riverview Park which was undertaken by members of Blair Memorial Flute Band in March 2024.

The space had been identified as underutilised and, together with the council, native trees were planted to create a shared and welcoming space and to benefit the local environment.

Staff from the council’s Climate and Community Support Services Teams were also in attendance.

Prior to the unveiling of the plaque, everyone took part in a litter pick around the community centre and Hospital Road area.

All participants returned to the Hospital Road Community Centre to enjoy herb planting with the council’s Climate Team who highlighted the benefits of growing your own food and gave everyone some top tips so they can continue to grow other produce at home.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, the Vice Chair, Councillor Elaine Brough, said: “The event is about bringing the community together to take action to benefit the environment and celebrate the tree planting at Riverview Park.

“I would like to commend everyone involved and I am confident that the interest in protecting the environment and the community togetherness shown here today will continue to benefit all residents, now and in the future.”

Kerry Fagan from the Hospital Road Community Association and Youth Club added: “It was good to see people coming together from different areas such as Culmore and O’Kane Park to participate”.

Blair Memorial Assistant Band Master, Gordon Spratt, said: “A very worthwhile exercise and it means a lot to the band to be involved.  I have grown up here and I love to see the area utilised.”

This event was made possible with funding from The Executive Office District Council’s Good Relations Programme.