The Board of Management of Tydavnet Group Water Scheme invited members on it’s water distribution network to an Open Day at their new Knocknagrave Environmental Centre H18 EE08 on Saturday 27th May 2023. The state of the art facility is a wonderful investment designed to address the great challenges of our time; climate change and the biodiversity crisis.

The centre which is on the site of Knocknagrave National School built in 1964, features an A energy rated centre, 2 fully equipped interactive learning zones, offices and ancillary rooms, canteen and plant room, as well as an outdoor education site with a nature trail, gardens wilded for nature, fruit bushes, native trees and pollinator friendly plants, ponds, and water harvesting, and composting facilities.

In attendance at the event were Sean Clerkin, Manager of Tydavnet Group water Scheme, Claire Sherlock, Secretary, members of the Tydavnet Group Water Scheme committee, Mark Farrelly, Education, Information, and Research Officer at the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS), and Vincent Farrelly, Chairperson of NFGWS, as well as members of the steering committe for the ambitious education centre which includes a teacher from each of the local primary schools (Tydavnet, Edenmore, Corracrin, and Urbleshanny), and four others with specialist environmental experience.

The impressive centre was constructed by Mullen Bros, Knockatallon, and biodiversity gardener Aidan McKenna, with fitout completed by Zebraproof Consultancy, experts in visitor centre planning, and artwork by Kevin McHugh from Co Fermanagh. The biodiversity and climate exhibition centre is also supported financially  by the Local Authorities Waters Programme (LAWPRO), LEADER, and the Scheme’s own capital reserves.

Tydavnet Group Water Supply Scheme supplies water to over 1,000 homes, over 340 farms, and if the 135km pipe network was laid flat it would reach to Dublin city – a very impressive achievement for this local committee drawn from various interests in the Tydavnet community.  The new centre is a credit to them! (Click on images to enlarge)