Italian women visit best of county's rural businesses

Lily Dane • Published 4 Mar 2010 14:10 0 Comments

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Gabrielle Tottenham (back left) of Blaney Spa & Yoga Centre and Heather McLaughlin, manager Europe Direct NI, with some of the Italian women, enjoying the hot tub as part of their Fermanagh visit.

The delights of rural Fermanagh are being savoured this week by a group of Italian women farmers on a study tour - looking at farm diversification and rural based businesses run by women throughout the county.

The party of 17, from rural areas surrounding Reggio Emilia in the north of Italy, will remain in Fermanagh until tomorrow afternoon, Friday, March 5.

Heather McLaughlin, the manager of Europe Direct NI, a European information Centre - part of a network of over 700 offices throughout each of the member states of the EU - has helped arrange the women's programme.

.The Italian women, who arrived on Monday, are staying in Arch Farm Guest House, Florencecourt, run by Rosemary Armstrong, and also at Bellanaleck guest house, run by Catherine Corrigan. Most of the projects the women are visiting this week are part of the Women in Agriculture programme, managed by Ann Orr.

"This is the second time we have hosted such a visit to Fermanagh," said Heather. The first time was in 2006 and the Italian women enjoyed the visit so much that on their return to Italy they called themselves Agridonne [women in agriculture] and they invited the people they visited in Fermanagh to Italy to visit their farm businesses.

Heather went on to explain that the visits came about as part of the Europe Direct Network when a colleague from Reggio Emilia in the North of Italy contacted her to see about the possibility of visiting farm based projects managed by women in Fermanagh in 2006.

Carla Cavellini (leader of the Italian group) explained the field visit came about through Europe Direct and Dinimica vocational training centre, specialising in rural and agricultural initiatives and training.

Following the women's' arrival, they enjoyed dinner at Arch Farm Guesthouse, where a presentation on natural beauty products was given by Pauline Corrigan.

On Tuesday morning, they visited Wove in Hove run by Louise Hardman, followed by a tour and lunch at Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre. They were hosted by Gabrielle Tottenham and had a chance to take part in a yoga session, led by Jill Mulligan, the hot tub, and massage. A presentation on speciality wedding cakes and jewellery was provided by Olga Rogers.

The previous Italian study tour in 2006 also stopped off at Blaney, while Gabrielle went on the return visit to Reggio Emilia. "It is wonderful to have them again," said Gabrielle.

Carla Cavellini, speaking at the Blaney centre, which she regarded as unique and very healthy, said they were greatly enjoying their visit. She mentioned that they met on the previous evening with Ann Orr and found it very interesting to learn about women in agriculture and they met Helen Elliott, of Blackslee Tours, who also accompanied them on Tuesday's tour.

On Tuesday afternoon, they visited Belleek, where they enjoyed a tour of the pottery; one of the women is a potter.

Tickety Moo Ice Cream (makers of Italian style ice cream) was their next port of call, followed by a visit to Teresa O'Hare's Orchard Farm Eco Barn, where they had their evening meal. Lorraine Scott, who makes beading and jewellery gave a presentation.

Yesterday, Wednesday's itinerary included a visit to Carrybridge, where they met with logo embroiderer Avril Johnston.

Afterwards they travelled to Blessingbourne, Fivemiletown, where they toured the self catering accommodation and had lunch, hosted by Colleen Lowry.

Yesterday afternoon, they had the opportunity to view Erin Grove jam and chutney run by Jayne Paget, followed by their evening meal in the Crowe's Nest, Enniskillen.

Last night, they experienced Ulster Scots and Highland Dancing in Maguiresbridge with Christine Rusk.

The Italian women are due to visit Londonderry today, Thursday, where they will visit the Language School and meet with Francesca Giacomini (who is from their region).

This afternoon they will visit Springwell Sheep Products in Castlederg and tonight they are to be given an after dinner slide show of lily production by Barbara Carleton, from Springfield who is a gardener at Hamilton Stubber's demesne, Aughentaine.

Tomorrow, Friday morning, plans have been made for a walking tour of Enniskillen, accompanied by Helen Elliott, and they will visit Enniskillen Townhall - before saying farewell to the Fermanagh Lakelands.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Mar 10

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