What began as a pilot project in October last year with the aim of connecting rural women who enjoy singing together, is hitting the high notes in a Derry village.
The Rural Melody Ladies Choir now has almost 30 members, who meet monthly in Moneymore village, led by experienced facilitator Karen Diamond.
“I think connecting people living in rural areas is the big success [of the group]. Living in a rural area can be quite lonely. It’s the fun and friendships we have developed, and there is great camaraderie within the group,” says Yvonne Carson, the Northern Trust’s rural health and wellbeing manager, who helped to set up the venture.
It came about against the backdrop of her work with the Farm Families Healthcheck Programme (since 2012) and on a rural men’s project in the Ballymena area of Antrim.
“It’s really a continuation of that work,” she explains. “Mid-Ulster is quite rural; someone said, “Would you look at starting a choir?”
Since then, the feedback has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Many people had never sung in public before the group began, and they have gained confidence and built friendships from their participation.
“The choir has provided members with a platform for meeting new friends and developing confidence as well as fostering a real sense of community,” Yvonne enthuses.
Over the past year, members who hail from farming and non-farming backgrounds have enjoyed a number of high-profile engagements, including their debut performance at a Celebrating Rural Women event in Glarryford Farmers’ Hall in Antrim.
In addition, they were delighted to be asked to sing at the Northern Trust’s Leadership Conference last June, where they were introduced to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt before performing on stage to a packed audience of Trust staff.
“Every time we go in [for practice], we have a laugh. It lifts your mood. Life can be difficult at times, so this is a lovely group to go to,” says Yvonne.
Facilitator Karen Diamond agrees. “Singing supports a sense of wellbeing and being part of our choir has provided a regular opportunity for ladies to meet, interact and have fun within a supportive and friendly environment.”
This “fun choir” is always looking for new members from Moneymore and surrounding rural areas to come and join them, and they have a “number of exciting things in the pipeline”, according to Yvonne Carson. All ages are welcome.
The choir meet again on 4 November in Moneymore Recreation Centre.
Rural Melody Ladies Choir members Lorraine Sampson and Clare Black at the Celebrating Rural Women event in Glarryford back in March.
Capparoe Women’s Shed
Yoga, first aid, charity work, talks, outings, a jewellery night, quilt making, cookery, jigsaws, flower arranging, card making, knitting and crochet – you name it and Capparoe Women’s Shed does it.
While less well known than their male counterparts, the Women’s Shed movement is growing in Ireland, with an estimated 120 groups now in operation in all corners of the country. It is designed to connect women of all ages and backgrounds by creating a space where they can come together, socialise and build lasting friendships.
“There was nothing just for women in our area,” Geraldine Cunneen, treasurer of Capparoe Women’s Shed, explains of the roots of their group in 2022.
A call was put out to gauge interest in setting up a women’s shed in the rural area, just a few kilometres from Nenagh in the heart of the Tipperary countryside, and three years later the shed is thriving, with chairperson Margaret Ryan at the helm.
“It’s a more modern version of the ICA. They [the women] just love coming for the chat. It’s a lovely place for women to come and meet every Wednesday night from 7pm to 9pm,” says Geraldine. “There are lots of different activities. We are always doing something.”
With fewer places to meet in rural areas, Geraldine agrees that the women’s shed is an important outlet for so many. “It’s something other places should consider if there isn’t something similar in their area,” she recommends.
The Rural Melody Ladies Choir pictured with Northern Trust Chief Executive, Jennifer Welsh.
“It’s lovely for older women to come who don’t have many other outlets. You get to know so many people. It’s just a nice place to be,” she tells Irish Country Living.
With over 45 members varying in age from their 40s to mid-70s, Capparoe Women’s Shed is a diverse group, and everyone brings their skills and attributes to the “homely atmosphere” they strive to create, she says.
In addition, members do a lot of charity work knitting items for premature babies in University Maternity Hospital in Limerick or working with ADAPT House, which provides a range of supports for women and children who experience domestic abuse/coercive control in the midwest region. Just recently, the group held a coffee evening event for North Tipperary Hospice.
That link with the wider community is important to the group, stresses Geraldine, who says they also do courses with the local Education and Training Board along with taking part in a number of outings during the year, from walks, to bingo, to exercise and wellbeing classes.
Capparoe Women's Shed members pictured on a recent boat trip in Killaloe.
That spirit of giving will continue in the coming weeks as the busy group prepares for their upcoming Christmas Market, which will raise money for a new ambulance for the local Order of Malta group.
With the long winter nights drawing in, the group would love to see new members come along and join in the fun and the friendship that the group has forged. “I look forward to it every Wednesday night,” Geraldine says.
If you are interested in joining the The Rural Melody Ladies Choir ring Yvonne on 07824 431175 or email: yvonne.carson@northerntrust.hscni.net. No singing experience is necessary. Capparoe Women’s Shed meets every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm in Lissenhall Community Hall. See Capparoe Women’s Shed on Facebook.
What began as a pilot project in October last year with the aim of connecting rural women who enjoy singing together, is hitting the high notes in a Derry village.
The Rural Melody Ladies Choir now has almost 30 members, who meet monthly in Moneymore village, led by experienced facilitator Karen Diamond.
“I think connecting people living in rural areas is the big success [of the group]. Living in a rural area can be quite lonely. It’s the fun and friendships we have developed, and there is great camaraderie within the group,” says Yvonne Carson, the Northern Trust’s rural health and wellbeing manager, who helped to set up the venture.
It came about against the backdrop of her work with the Farm Families Healthcheck Programme (since 2012) and on a rural men’s project in the Ballymena area of Antrim.
“It’s really a continuation of that work,” she explains. “Mid-Ulster is quite rural; someone said, “Would you look at starting a choir?”
Since then, the feedback has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Many people had never sung in public before the group began, and they have gained confidence and built friendships from their participation.
“The choir has provided members with a platform for meeting new friends and developing confidence as well as fostering a real sense of community,” Yvonne enthuses.
Over the past year, members who hail from farming and non-farming backgrounds have enjoyed a number of high-profile engagements, including their debut performance at a Celebrating Rural Women event in Glarryford Farmers’ Hall in Antrim.
In addition, they were delighted to be asked to sing at the Northern Trust’s Leadership Conference last June, where they were introduced to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt before performing on stage to a packed audience of Trust staff.
“Every time we go in [for practice], we have a laugh. It lifts your mood. Life can be difficult at times, so this is a lovely group to go to,” says Yvonne.
Facilitator Karen Diamond agrees. “Singing supports a sense of wellbeing and being part of our choir has provided a regular opportunity for ladies to meet, interact and have fun within a supportive and friendly environment.”
This “fun choir” is always looking for new members from Moneymore and surrounding rural areas to come and join them, and they have a “number of exciting things in the pipeline”, according to Yvonne Carson. All ages are welcome.
The choir meet again on 4 November in Moneymore Recreation Centre.
Rural Melody Ladies Choir members Lorraine Sampson and Clare Black at the Celebrating Rural Women event in Glarryford back in March.
Capparoe Women’s Shed
Yoga, first aid, charity work, talks, outings, a jewellery night, quilt making, cookery, jigsaws, flower arranging, card making, knitting and crochet – you name it and Capparoe Women’s Shed does it.
While less well known than their male counterparts, the Women’s Shed movement is growing in Ireland, with an estimated 120 groups now in operation in all corners of the country. It is designed to connect women of all ages and backgrounds by creating a space where they can come together, socialise and build lasting friendships.
“There was nothing just for women in our area,” Geraldine Cunneen, treasurer of Capparoe Women’s Shed, explains of the roots of their group in 2022.
A call was put out to gauge interest in setting up a women’s shed in the rural area, just a few kilometres from Nenagh in the heart of the Tipperary countryside, and three years later the shed is thriving, with chairperson Margaret Ryan at the helm.
“It’s a more modern version of the ICA. They [the women] just love coming for the chat. It’s a lovely place for women to come and meet every Wednesday night from 7pm to 9pm,” says Geraldine. “There are lots of different activities. We are always doing something.”
With fewer places to meet in rural areas, Geraldine agrees that the women’s shed is an important outlet for so many. “It’s something other places should consider if there isn’t something similar in their area,” she recommends.
The Rural Melody Ladies Choir pictured with Northern Trust Chief Executive, Jennifer Welsh.
“It’s lovely for older women to come who don’t have many other outlets. You get to know so many people. It’s just a nice place to be,” she tells Irish Country Living.
With over 45 members varying in age from their 40s to mid-70s, Capparoe Women’s Shed is a diverse group, and everyone brings their skills and attributes to the “homely atmosphere” they strive to create, she says.
In addition, members do a lot of charity work knitting items for premature babies in University Maternity Hospital in Limerick or working with ADAPT House, which provides a range of supports for women and children who experience domestic abuse/coercive control in the midwest region. Just recently, the group held a coffee evening event for North Tipperary Hospice.
That link with the wider community is important to the group, stresses Geraldine, who says they also do courses with the local Education and Training Board along with taking part in a number of outings during the year, from walks, to bingo, to exercise and wellbeing classes.
Capparoe Women's Shed members pictured on a recent boat trip in Killaloe.
That spirit of giving will continue in the coming weeks as the busy group prepares for their upcoming Christmas Market, which will raise money for a new ambulance for the local Order of Malta group.
With the long winter nights drawing in, the group would love to see new members come along and join in the fun and the friendship that the group has forged. “I look forward to it every Wednesday night,” Geraldine says.
If you are interested in joining the The Rural Melody Ladies Choir ring Yvonne on 07824 431175 or email: yvonne.carson@northerntrust.hscni.net. No singing experience is necessary. Capparoe Women’s Shed meets every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm in Lissenhall Community Hall. See Capparoe Women’s Shed on Facebook.
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