Council Chair and Vice Chair pay tribute to young people across the district

28th May 2021

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Chair and Vice 2

The Chair and Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong and Councillor John Coyle, recently paid tribute to the outstanding contributions and achievements of young people across the district during their term in office.

In a joint address filmed at the Ardhowen Theatre, both Councillor Armstrong and Councillor Coyle spoke of their regret at being unable to host the annual Young Achievers reception, which is traditionally the final major event of the Chair and Vice Chair’s term and where the achievements of young people from across the district are publicly acknowledged.

Speaking to the young people, the Council Chair, Councillor Armstrong said;

“Sadly, due to the Covid-19 restrictions we have been unable to host the annual Young Achievers reception as normal. However, we are both of the view that your achievements should not go unnoticed and we are keen to take this opportunity to offer you our sincere congratulations and express our appreciation to you for the credit you have brought to yourselves, your families, clubs, schools and to your district over the past year.”

Acknowledging the challenges which the past year had presented, Councillor Armstrong added

“It has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, but particularly for our young people. For large parts of the last year, you have at various times been unable to attend school, college, play sport and generally socialise with your friends. For many of you, major landmark birthdays have passed relatively unnoticed and it is my hope that you will be able to celebrate these important occasions in your lives, when restrictions allow.

Highlighting some of the achievements, the Chair said:

“Despite the restrictions, you have still managed to excel in many facets of life particularly in sport, by achieving success at national and international level in gymnastics, rowing golf and archery as well as securing prestigious sports scholarships to colleges in the United States.”

In concluding Councillor Armstrong spoke of her pride in the young people of the district describing them as wonderful ambassadors for the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

Council Vice Chairman, Councillor John Coyle, also praised the selflessness of the young people across the district commenting;

“I would like to thank you for the manner in which you have observed the necessary restrictions put in place at various times over the past year to help the battle against the spread of Covid-19. By nature, young people are very sociable and through the various outlets, enjoy interacting with your peers. This has been largely limited since the first lockdown period last March.

Continuing, Councillor Coyle said

“I have been impressed by how our young people have demonstrated their generosity, committing both time and effort into helping their communities. The level of fundraising has been exceptional. From the many innovative methods our young people have employed, it is clear that when it comes to fundraising, our young peoples’ ingenuity knows no limits.

What your achievements have clearly demonstrated, is that the young people of our district are exceptionally talented, committed and caring individuals who are not afraid to work hard to reach their goals.”

To celebrate the achievements of young people across the district in the past year, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council will shortly be presenting wildflower seeds to each school in the district to be planted prior to the summer holidays and in November, each school will receive a native tree whip for planting in the school grounds.

To view the Chair and Vice Chair’s addresses in full, please visit Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVhKhv1pVok.