Child's Play! Co Armagh's very own horror story!

Plague of the play park miscreants...

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“It never quits,” was the irascible response of our esteemed colleague, Scott, when the discussion around play park vandalism arose on Thursday. Scott has been at the forefront of the battle on play park delinquents for quite a while now – a one man crusade to rid the county of the scourge.

While a little dramatic in my presentation of the conversation, he’s quite right – it doesn’t seem to quit. This summer has seen play parks around the county wrecked and ruined by the mindless few. Abercorn Park in Portadown (pictured above) and Tandragee (inset) are the latest closed as a result of these miscreants. Even Chucky (also conveniently pictured) would have been proud of the work carried out in Markethill recently.

Related: Disgust as children’s clothes destroyed after vandals douse Markethill play park in oil

At the risk of repeating the same rhetoric over and over, surely there is something that can be done to save these play parks from incessant attacks. It’s more of a summer thing, of course; perhaps bored youths with little else to do? That’s a much more deep-rooted issue. In the short-term, does the cost of CCTV outweigh (in the long run) the cost of replacing/repairing this equipment. As a parent, it’s absolutely disheartening to see this happen time and time again. The Council began work in 2018 on a five-year strategy of installing and upgrading 44 play parks across the ABC Borough to the tune of £4.75m. How much has since been spent on repair work? It’s a question we’ll be asking.

Related: Call for council to consider CCTV following Solitude Park vandalism

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🏑 Sport facilities boost at Craigavon with new floodlit 3G pitch planned

What a photo!

For those of our readers not on social media (or at least Facebook / Instagram) you may have missed this brilliant photo we shared earlier in the week.

We were gifted this fantastic image of the well known Rhodie family who apparently lived just across from our office, at Gaol Square.

The image shows Mr Rhodie at the far right and their sixteen children lined up in ascending age, all except for the youngest child who is pictured in the arms of Mrs. Rhodie, far left. Thank you to reader John and the folks at FKP Smyth Paints for sending this image our way.

Armagh Jobs

✔️ ABL Group in Armagh require a Trainee Commercial Account Handler

✔️ IT Hub in Armagh require an IT Technician

✔️ Atlas for Industry are recruiting for a Machine Operator

✔️ ASEE also have a number of new roles available. Check them out here.

✔️ As do Mount Charles Group. Check them out on www.armaghjobs.com.

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⏰ 5 minutes with… Petya Dimitrova Dawson from Armagh City Hotel

Date for your diary…

Richhill church opens for European Heritage Weekend. St Matthew’s Church of Ireland Church in Richhill, which is just off The Square in Richhill, will be open to the public on Saturday, September 9 between 10am and 4pm.

Refreshments will be provided in the Colthurst Hall and there will also be a number of vintage displays.

The building we know today as St Matthew’s was initially the village’s linen market house. It was erected in 1753 and later converted to a chapel of ease before being consecrated as the Church of St Matthew in September 1837.

The church, known for its tower, also has several beautiful stained glass windows that have been added over the years.

In relation to the recent fundraising cyclethon at St Matthew’s, the select vestry would like to thank everyone who took part, sponsored the event or made a donation on the day. The money raised will be divided between the Southern Area Hospice and the church tower repair fund.

If you want us to highlight any free events in our newsletter, please simply reply to this email or reach out to us at info@armaghi.com.

And finally…

This Sunday, September 3, marks 25 years since Bill Clinton addressed thousands on the Mall in Armagh, just months after the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. A balmy late summer’s evening…do you remember the event – were you there? We’d love to hear from you and your memories of that day.