Silent Valley Christmas Colouring Competition Winners
23 December 2024 14:29
NI Water has announced the winners of its special Silent Valley Christmas colouring competition.
Local pupils from Grange Primary School, Kilkeel; St Macartan’s Primary School, Loughinisland; Kilkeel Primary School; and St Patrick’s Primary School, Mayobridge were among the winners.
The special colouring competition was enjoyed by local schools from across the region helping to spread some Christmas cheer and remind everyone of peace and tranquility to be enjoyed at the reservoir park throughout the year.
School age children were invited to complete the specially designed colouring competition which showed Santa driving his magnificent sleigh with his magical reindeers high in the sky above the landmark reservoir. The overall winners received Silent Valley passes giving them access for 2025.
NI Water Education Officer Anna Killen explains: “We had a fantastic response from local schools to our special colouring competition and were delighted to select 14 winners to receive Silent Valley passes to use throughout the new year. Unfortunately, due to extensive storm damage to many of the trails across the park, Silent Valley has recently been closed to the public. However, we hope this will reopen as soon as possible in the new year enabling the winners and the public to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the valley and all it has to offer.
Ringed by mountains, Silent Valley is located within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its site includes beautiful parkland, lakes and a pond and a number of walking trails for all abilities. It’s a stunning site open for visitors to explore and enjoy, while also operating as a key strategic reservoir providing drinking water for a large part of County Down and the Greater Belfast area. It attracts around 50,000 visitors every year, most of whom come to enjoy the peace and solitude of its unique mountain landscapes and the varied wildlife.
Anna said: “There are a number of on-site visitor facilities for you to enjoy including a visitors centre and heritage ‘Water Town’ house, located within historic bungalows that overlook the parkland’s wonderful views. A traditional tea room is also open daily throughout the year, exactly what you need after a walk through this beautiful part of the country.”
Please check www.niwater.com for further information on the recent closure and reopening updates on Silent Valley.
ENDS
Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com