Galway County Council Cathaoirleach’s Award
More than 300 people from community and voluntary groups from all around County Galway were honoured at the Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards Ceremony on 30th November 2016 in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe. The awards recognise and celebrate community and voluntary activity around County Galway. Twelve awards were up for grabs after a record number of nominations were received.
Headford Yarnbombers were the winners of the Community Service Award. Their yarn installation for the Square in Headford during the ‘Nestling Lark’ was their pilot project for the Galway 2020 bid. Over 300 people took part from the ages of 5 to 95 including the schools, retirement homes, nursing homes, families, business people and even a few tourists! Café’s, doctor’s waiting rooms, hairdressers and even the local petrol station had a knitting chair where anyone could sit and knit. The project created a space for conversation and communication throughout the community.
Also there on the night were the team from The Nesting Lark – who were nominated in the Arts and Culture category, the Headford Cottage Market, who were nominated in Community Economic Initiative award. The Environment Award was won by Headford Environment Group who held a major Climate Change conference for the West of Ireland with speakers from all around the country in 2016. They are involved in spring cleans, planting, and summer events such as nature walks and in winter they hold a number of lectures and talks to help create more knowledge and awareness.
Speaking about his experience since taking up the office of Cathaoirleach, Cllr Michael Connolly said “I’ve had the pleasure of visiting and working with many communities around the County and witnessing all the great work that you do”. Cllr Connolly congratulated all the winners and thanked everyone for their hard work, urging them to keep it up for 2017.
Having brought the award home to Headford, it then went on tour to those schools, businesses and nursing home who were all participants in our yarnbombing endeavours. Above is a photo of the students of 3rd and 4th class in Cloughanover NS who hosted the award having created many beautiful squares in the lead up to the Nesting Lark weekend festival in Headford in May 2016. Congratulations to all students, parents and teachers who helped us win the award. We are looking forward to some more yarnbombing adventures together. Well done! 😃
Yarnbombers 