Dundrum residents capture the local landscape through a lens Posted on 17 December 2021

The natural beauty of the County Down landscape has been captured by talented amateur photographers for a calendar produced by the Dundrum Village Association, supported by Clanmil Housing. 
Dundrum Village Association launched a competition in June inviting photographers to capture images of the village and surrounding area, with the theme of “Not just a road to Newcastle.” 

The judges chose the winning 12 images over the summer, and with the support of Clanmil, have produced a calendar which will be for sale in local shops - just in time for Christmas.  The proceeds will help the Association continue its work in improving the village’s facilities for residents and visitors.

Dundrum Residents Association members
Dundrum photographers have captured the natural beauty of the village and surrounding landscape for a new calendar. Photograph courtesy of the Mourne Observer

Former broadcast journalist and Dundrum resident Noel Thompson volunteered his time to help co-ordinate the competition. He said:
“The Association is thrilled to have produced this first calendar, a showcase for the legendary beauty of our village and surrounding area.  It would have been impossible without the active and generous support of Clanmil.”
Noel continued: “The proceeds will help the Association in its efforts to promote Dundrum, and to improve facilities for the people who live here. We look forward to further collaboration with Clanmil to meet those objectives.”
 
Philip Whyte, Community Cohesion Officer for Clanmil said:
 
“Clanmil is committed to working with people of all backgrounds in the Dundrum area, and initiatives like this one are part of our ongoing community engagement and outreach work to champion good relations. This competition not only encouraged local amateur photographers to explore the countryside around Dundrum, but also brought residents and representatives from various diverse groups within the village and surrounding areas together.”
 
Clanmil developed 16 apartments in Brunel’s View, off Main Street in Dundrum in 2018 as part of ‘Housing for All’, the Department for Communities and Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Shared Housing Programme, and it forms part of the Programme for Government. 

Dundrum Residents' Association calendar

One of the photographs featured in the calendar

Clanmil continues to work in partnership with the local Advisory Group stakeholders, and with residents to develop the scheme’s Good Relations Plan. The calendar competition was funded as part of the Brunel’s View Good Relations Plan.  

The Brunel’s View development is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.  The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. Almost £600,000.00 has been invested in the Brunel’s View shared housing development and the promotion of the associated one-year Good Relations Plan. 
Clanmil Housing currently has five shared housing developments across Northern Ireland and is promoting a further three.
 
The Brunel’s View Good Relations Plan includes ‘Bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include Health and Wellbeing, Education and Training.
 
The Executive Office - Together: Building a United Community
 
Department for Communities - Shared Housing Programme