Council Chairperson Visits School's Cycle Training Session

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason recently visited St Patrick’s Primary School Legamaddy, Downpatrick to lend her support as the school participated in a cycle training session facilitated by Sustrans NI.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said, “I am delighted that the Council’s Sustainability Section was able to secure funding to offer such valuable training to schools.  The pandemic has highlighted the importance we all place on the great outdoors and staying active.  Being able to cycle competently and safely is crucial and training such as this, delivered by Sustrans, provides the necessary skills and knowledge to do so.”

Cllr Mason continued, “St Patrick’s Primary School places great importance on encouraging pupils to be active. It was super to experience first-hand the enthusiasm of the primary seven pupils, and their teacher Bronagh Reid, as they took part in the cycling training session today.”

The Council’s Active Travel Programme is funded by the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities, the Department for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs and the Council as part of the COVID-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme. St Patrick’s Primary School was one of the lucky schools in the district to receive a free Level One cycle training session as part of the ‘Active Travel Programme.’

Sustrans Northern Ireland Director, Caroline Bloomfield said, “We are delighted to provide cycle skills training for the pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School, Legamaddy. Given the health and environmental benefits of cycling, it is great to be working with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to develop a culture of active travel in the area. We recently completed a 10-Year Active Travel Masterplan for the Council which we hope will result in better infrastructure enabling more people to walk and cycle in the community.”