Development projects
We
have been seeking planning permission to build on our land on the
Quarter Road Annalong for a couple of years. After comprehensive talks
with the planning office the ALT Building committee felt that ALT should
look at other properties and venues where we could develop on our work
of leadership training. After some investigation it was discovered that
Cabra Towers was still for sale at an asking price of £950,000.
Cabra Towers was built at the end of the 19th century by John McKay, the son of a local farmer. It was sold in 1935 to the Sisters of St. Joseph from New Jersey USA who renamed it Mount St. Joseph where the Nuns were trained before embarking on mission in the USA and across the world. Their charisma was Peace through Justice. In 1968 it was given it's original name Cabra Towers and was bought by South Eastern Education & Library Board as an Educational, Environmental and Residential Centre that catered annually for 2,000 primary school children and employed eleven members of staff. In 2004 the South Eastern Education & Library Board decided to close Cabra Towers and put it on the market.
We decided to view Cabra Towers and place an offer, which was refuse. Due to the property being boarded up and empty for 4 years there is some work needing done but we are continue to pursue the purchase.
If you would like further information about Cabra Towers or wish to donate to the project please do not hesitate to contact Desi or Pamela on 07878125134 or e-mail desifisher@adventuretraining.org.uk
1. Accommodation for Activity/Training week-ends/weeks for groups up
to 40
2. Six hi-spec cottages for family/respite accommodation
3. Cafe and local crafts exhibition area to provide sustainable
income
4. Multi functional hall with climbing wall
5. Secure parking for groups who want to leave their cars/mini buses
while they go for a walk in the Mournes
Click here to see our plans for Eagle Creek, designed by architect and ALT member, Nick Humes.
On the 7th and 14th of May, ALT travelled to Annalong
to work on the four acres of Mourne land that have been donated to ALT,
as a gift from the Lord, for the work. We found this old dinosaur, sleeping in the field.
Needless to say no-one dared to stir him.
The scenery at Annalong is breathtakingly beautiful, and makes me think of heaven.
Still, there was a lot of work to be done...
But we had help. Thanks to Michael, Jessica and Philippa, Kirk, among others, and some neighbours who were a great help to us, even offering to clear the field when we had gone home.
The weather was generally good, although we had showers of rain and even hail at times.
Michael Simms operates the digger, clearing the whine bushes and piling them up. Without the digger, clearing the bushes would have been a very laborious job.
Kirk and our friend George helped to clear the stream which runs along the edge of the field.
Ruth pulls her weight shifting some shrubbery.
Pamela turns aside to see this great sight, how the bush burns, and yet is not consumed. Seriously though, we had a tough job trying to get rid of those whine bushes.
The day ended as it began, in spectacular beauty.