Bridge the Blackwater

Pupils from eight local Primary Schools were hosted by Hughes Mushrooms to develop their Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths skills at their factory outside Moy.

The children, aged between 10-12yrs, had spent time over the previous weeks learning about the history of local bridges and the skills of bridge building.  The participating schools then selected teams to represent their school and compete for the “Hughes Trophy” at this new bridge building challenge event.

The project was funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund to help local schools and teachers appreciate the rich built heritage found along the Blackwater River valley.

“While the competition was an engineering challenge,” explained Mr Chris McCarney, Heritage Officer with the Blackwater Regional Partnership, the children had to design their bridge based on one of five basic bridge designs.  We were able to give the children examples of all five bridge designs using local bridges between Maghery and Caledon.  The River Blackwater is a treasure trove of rich built heritage as illustrated in our range of bridges over the River Blackwater.  We even have our own suspension bridge design in the beautiful “Dredge footbridge” at Caledon”.   

Mr Jim McAlinden, Principal of St Peter’s Collegeland organised the event to get children excited and interested in science and maths.  Jim said:

“The STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths are increasingly important for the future careers of our young people.  It is great to get support from local businesses and the Blackwater Regional Partnership to make learning fun and linked to the engineering feats and rich built heritage on our doorstep”

 Mr Kieran Hughes of Hughes Mushrooms agreed:

“We love having children around our factory here in Moy."

 The eight participating schools were:

Orchard PS, Moy Regional PS, St Jarlaths Blackwatertown, St. John's Kingsisland, St. Josephs Caledon, St. Marys Maghery, St John's Eglish and St Peters PS Collegeland. 

Anyone who would like to know more about the work of the Blackwater Regional Partnership should contact Chris McCarney at 077 8824 9517.