Busy winter programme enjoyed by Donard Group

From the start of the group winter programme in October, the Donard UFU group have had great attendances with a varied range of speakers and topics.
Group members at Walter Watson LimitedGroup members at Walter Watson Limited
Group members at Walter Watson Limited

Kicking off, the October meeting held on the farm of group member Damien Tumelty at Castlescreen Farm, saw Seamus McCaffrey from S P McCaffrey and Co Chartered Accountants, along with George Megarry, director of TGM Software Solutions Limited, advise those in attendance on how to best manage their business finances.

The meeting was finished with UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt, bringing members up to date with issues that the UFU were dealing with whilst they enjoyed one of Castlescreen Farm’s finest burgers.

In November the topic for the meeting was “environment matters”. David Sandford, award winning wildlife enthusiast and Alan Galbraith, head of sustainable land management at DAERA, spoke to members on best practices to improve how we look after our environment and small changes we can make to help.

Group member Damien Tumelty hosting first group meetingGroup member Damien Tumelty hosting first group meeting
Group member Damien Tumelty hosting first group meeting

For the December meeting the group headed to Walter Watson Limited in Castlewellan. Established in 1967, Walter Watson Limited has grown to become an industrial leader in the disciplines of structural, agricultural and reinforcement steel manufacturing. It is the largest family owned structural steel fabricator in Ireland and all in attendance got a great insight into how the company operate.

Over the past week the group held their AGM conducted by UFU deputy president, Victor Chestnutt, who after the election of officials updated members on current issues. Congratulations are extended to group winners in the UFU silage competition, John Fleming (beef/sheep) and Ivan Broome (both dairy and newcomer).

The Donard group will be in attendance and supporting Lower Mourne Vintage Club on 20 February 2020 at their community and well-being event in Annalong Community Centre from 7pm-9pm.

If you would like to hear more about the workings of the UFU or are interested in becoming a group member, please do come and speak to us.

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