Pupils take part in My Dream Home

The competition is part of a programme of events to help decide if new social or affordable housing is needed for the island. As it was nearly Halloween the children took the chance to draw a ‘nightmare home’ too and there were some spooky entries! As well as a drawing sheet, each child was given a leaflet for their parent, or guardian, to encourage anyone in genuine housing need to come forward. This helped to generate a lot of interest in the Rathlin Housing event which was hosted by the Housing Executive on the island. Mark Alexander, the Housing Executive’s Area Manager for Causeway, who presented the competition prizes said: “The standard of competition was very high and we were pleased with the children’s ideas on what would be their dream home. “I’d like to thank them for taking part and encourage anyone interested in housing on Rathlin to contact us as soon as possible and register their interest.” Sinead Collins from the Housing Executive’s Rural Unit said: “We want to support Rathlin’s continued rejuvenation and believe housing provision is vital to this. “It was clear from those who came to our housing event people want to live on Rathlin and see the island thrive; we were delighted with the interest. Our housing event was a tangible demonstration of how the Housing Executive aims to help make the difference to rural communities, such as Rathlin.” The Housing Executive would encourage anyone interested in returning to live on or move to Rathlin Island to contact it on or before Friday 18 November by calling 03448 920 900 and ask to speak to the Rural Team. Alternatively, they can e-mail rural.housing@nihe.gov.uk or call into their nearest Housing Executive office. The Housing Executive would like to thank the pupils, and their teachers, of St Mary’s for helping to organise the competition. Vote for Rathlin! Rathlin Island is in the running to be named the UK’s favourite nature reserve! Despite its small size, the island is brimming with wildlife – from seals to Irish hares, orchids to birds of prey. It’s perhaps no surprise then that Rathlin is one of just 12 sites nominated in the prestigious LandLove Magazine Awards. RSPB NI manages much of the island for the benefit of nature, working in partnership with local residents to make homes for threatened species like choughs and corncrakes. Between April and September the charity also runs the West Light Seabird Centre, where you can get up close and personal with Northern Ireland’s biggest seabird colony. The sight, sound and smell of tens of thousands of seabirds, including kittiwakes, guillemots and puffins, will take your breath away! Vote for Rathlin at www.landlove.com/awards. Or, email landlove@burdamagazines.co.uk or submit a postal entry to LandLove Awards 2015, LandLove Magazine, Hubert Burda Media UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9HU. Votes need before 3 January 2017. One lucky voter will win £300 worth of voucher to spend on a glamping holiday of their choice with Wigwam Holidays!