Issue 254 - East Down BT24 • BT30 • BT31 • BT33
Ulster-Scots Cultural Showcase in Killyleagh Rowallance DEA Forum hosted a lively Ulster-Scots cultural event on Thursday 27 November at the Sir Hans Sloane Centre, Killyleagh, where attendees enjoyed an afternoon of language, learning and local creativity.
Winning team Heat Haze Heros from St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan team members Daithi Brown; Rory McClean; Eamonn McAleenan; Meabh Dunnn; Meagh Fitzpatrick
Pupils from St Malachy’s High School compete in London to take home the crown and £10,000 A team of students from St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan is celebrating after earning a coveted spot in the national final of the RTX Quadcopter Challenge, an exciting STEM competition that’s inspiring the next generation of innovators and engineers. Now marking its 10th anniversary, the challenge is the flagship STEM outreach programme from RTX, giving students across the UK the chance to design, build and fly their own quadcopters in a
bid to be crowned national champions. The team then travelled to London to compete at the Honourable Artillery Company for the chance to be crowned the 2025 Quadcopter Challenge
Champion and win £10,000 to support STEM initiatives at their school. Andrew Gibbons, Senior Composite Materials & Processes Engineer at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel said, “This year’s
Quadcopter challenge attracted impressive participation with teams demonstrating creativity and ingenuity.
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Delivered by the Schomberg Society, the event gave participants an engaging introduction to the richness of the UlsterScots language. Attendees learned about the history, heritage and unique expressions associated with the Ulster-Scots tradition, with plenty of lively examples shared throughout. Local poet, Roy Ferguson captivated the audience with a number of wonderful renditions of Ulster-Scots poetry. His readings brought the language to life, highlighting its
rhythm, humour and distinctive character. A complimentary lunch offered a chance for groups to chat, connect and reflect on the themes of the day. Speaking about the event, Rowallane DEA Forum Chair, Councillor Callum Bowsie, said, “It was fantastic to see such strong interest in local culture. The passion of the Schomberg Society and the talent of Roy Ferguson made the event both entertaining and informative. We look forward to supporting more cultural activities across the district.”