The launch event brought together participants, trainers, community groups and other organisations involved in the programme. Many people in the group already knew each other and naturally added to the information being shared. The group brings a broad mix of skills and experience, including community development, nature restoration, town planning, environment management, public consultations, IT, business, accounts, advertising, local politics, map reading, gardening, sports, leadership, organisation and planning, sales, making connections, running community groups, and working with young people.

Desmond introduced Turning the Sod and outlined the support available over the 10 sessions. The aim is to bring the group’s ideas together and develop a SMART Community Strategy. As the programme progresses, the group hopes to identify practical projects that could be put forward for LEADER funding and managed locally. We also discussed the SMART Villages approach and looked at examples of communities around the country that have addressed local challenges and developed successful initiatives.

The conversations and exercises showed a strong sense of community. There is good communication channel through Parish Newsletter. Those attending are involved in a wide range of local community and interest groups, including:

• Tidy Towns

• Young at Heart Retirement Group

• Suncroft Transport Committee

• Suncroft AFC

• Barnhill Community Group

• Nurney GAA

• Residents Association

The following gaps in local services and opportunities were highlighted:

• Lack of community hub in Nurney. GAA facility possible to serve as a community hub but no safe pathway to reach the place from the village

• Local biodiversity - Nurney Local Biodiversity Action Plan has been developed and the project is ongoing. Current concern is around securing the land and funding for Community Orchard.

• More opportunities and diversified activities for children, teenagers, and elderly
  

Some reoccurring community event/festivals are happening in the area. The group mentioned:

• Local clean-up - Spring Clean

• Suncroft Community Festival

• End of the harvest  

• The bikers

• New Nurney Noise Fest

• Suncroft Vintage Club - Working Harvest Days and Vintage Harvest Rallies - old fashion fielding

  
  

The group also began to brainstorm possible projects for the future:

The group would like to bring people together, the dream is to have a strong, big community group having the accessible venue to meet up.

The group agreed that the main challenges are securing finance and building an active group of volunteers who can remain consistently engaged.

These ideas, along with others that emerge, will be developed further as the sessions continue.