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Community

Community

Ulster Carpets is right at the heart of the local community and, over the last 80 years, a wide range of worthwhile projects have been supported, including charitable causes, business enterprises and music initiatives.


When George Walter Wilson established Ulster Carpets in 1938, one of the main reasons behind his decision was to create employment for local people. The company remains one of the area’s largest employers and the civic duty instilled by the company founder continues to this day.

#01

John Wilson Memorial Trust

John Wilson Memorial Trust

The John Wilson Memorial Trust was set up in memory of the late John Wilson, son of Ulster Carpets founder, George Walter Wilson, following his passing in 2009.

John Wilson always had an enduring passion for business, particularly the long held establishment of significant employment in Portadown in keeping with Ulster Carpets’ place in the community. The trust is run by nominated Trustees involved in Ulster Carpets including two of John’s sons.

In September, the trust donated £10,000 to Craigavon Area Foodbank which enabled them to purchase a van to help deliver food to homes across the borough and throughout their three distribution centres.

Diane Guiney, Project Manager, Craigavon Area Foodbank, said, “Before lockdown, we were already beginning to struggle to efficiently deliver food to our distribution centres. Our small van was no longer big enough to manage the amount of food that each centre required and that put additional pressure on our amazing team of volunteers, as we had to make multiple journeys.

“This generous donation has allowed us to purchase a larger van which allows us to collect donations several times a week and deliver it to those who need it most. Due to the pandemic, we are anticipating a marked rise in referrals, and this will again increase how much food that will need to be transported to the distribution centres, so having this van will make a big difference.

During the pandemic, over 12,500 people across the Armagh, Craigavon and Banbridge Council Area needed help with food provision, which equates to 5% of the population. Craigavon Area Foodbank helped to distribute between 400 and 500 boxes of essentials per week as part of a Government scheme to help those most in need.

Dr John Wilson, Chairman of Ulster Carpets and Trustee, said “his father believed strongly in helping the local community therefore I am delighted that the trust has been able to help and support this vital local service”.

For more information on the John Wilson Memorial Trust please see the website www.johnwilsontrust.com

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#02

Ulster Orchestra

Ulster Orchestra

Ulster Carpets are a founding member of the Ulster Orchestra’s corporate membership scheme.

This scheme is designed to engage with Northern Ireland’s business community and to shape and support the core activities of the Orchestra.  These core activities include outreach programmes which engage with people across all age ranges, giving them the magical experience of live orchestral music.

Nick Coburn, Group Managing Director & Deputy Chairman of Ulster Carpets says; “We are extremely proud to connect our brand with the Ulster Orchestra, an organisation which embodies a number of similar values to ourselves. This membership reflects Ulster Carpet’s well-established tradition of striving to help the local community.”

Being a Founder Member allows for the continuation of a partnership between Ulster Carpets & The Ulster Orchestra who have previously worked together on The Music Room, a community engagement project, in Ceara School, Lurgan. The Ulster Orchestra delivers amazing work with schools and communities across the wider society and the corporate membership scheme will help deliver more of this work.


#03

Ulster Youth Rugby

Ulster Youth Rugby

Youth rugby is played throughout the Province in three age groups; U14, U16 and U18.

The teams participate in league campaigns throughout the season, with an Ulster Carpets Cup Finals Day taking place at Kingspan Stadium each May.

Ulster Carpets is the proud sponsor of ‘Club of the Month’ youth rugby in Ulster. This is played across the three main age groups and in the High Schools’ competitions.

Newry Rugby Club won the Ulster Carpets Club Youth Award in recognition for having the best rugby spirit ethos. This took place at the beginning of June. For their prize, Newry RFC will receive a bag of Ulster Carpets rugby balls as well as tickets to an Ulster game at the Kingspan Stadium.

Nick Coburn, Ulster Carpets Managing Director, commented, “We are extremely proud to connect our brand with Ulster Rugby, an organisation which embodies a number of similar values to ourselves. Both organisations aspire to be increasingly progressive in everything they undertake and are making significant strides in the progression and development of their respective fields.

“This partnership reflects Ulster Carpets’ well established tradition of striving to help the local community and this agreement will encourage more young people to participate in active sport.”

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#04

Other Community Partnerships

Other Community Partnerships

  • RDA-Riding for the Disabled-Ulster Carpets are proud to support Riding for the Disabled NI by sponsoring their bi-annual regional magazine. If you would like to get involved with RDA Northern Ireland, please visit www.ridingforthedisabledni.org.uk
  • Armagh Girls Rugby-Ulster Carpets, is delighted to announce an extension to their sponsorship of the Girls’ Section at City of Armagh Rugby Club. The company began their sponsorship with the City of Armagh Girls in 2018 and are now pleased to announce a further two year sponsorship deal.Armagh RFC has a growing Girls’ Section and has teams at under 13, under 15 and under 18 age groups. Girls Convenor, Susan Mercer commented, “Our girls are passionate about their rugby and enjoy making new friends, training and playing together and representing the club across the province. Our underage teams have played at both the Kingspan and Aviva Stadiums and the girls really enjoy running out in their stylish Ulster Carpets shirts.”Club President, James Scott, commented, “In the current economic climate, our rugby club is more dependent than ever on our sponsors and I am delighted to see Ulster Carpets continuing to support our Girls’ Section. This extended sponsorship deal is fantastic news and we thank Ulster Carpets for their continued support.”Nick Coburn, Managing Director, Ulster Carpets, said, “We have always placed an emphasis on supporting the local community and we’re delighted to be able to extend our sponsorship agreement with City of Armagh Rugby Club. The club is providing new opportunities to young girls that give them important skills based on dedication, training and teamwork; skills that match the ethos of Ulster Carpets.”
  • Banbridge Hockey Club-This year Ulster Carpets supported Banbridge Hockey Club and designed some new signage for the pitchside, we wish them all the best for the season ahead.
  • Charles Wood Girls Choir-The Charles Wood Festival and Summer School is a unique celebration of sacred and secular music. Established in 1993 it takes place over 8 days each August in churches and venues across Armagh. Participants receive the highest level of musical tuition from the Festival’s Artistic Director David Hill, former Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers and Musical Director of the Bach Choir. They also benefit from media exposure through a range of high-profile broadcasts and visits by eminent composers and performers.Supported by Ulster Carpets and Arts & Business NI, The Charles Wood Festival of Music and Summer School formed a new Girls’ Choir in 2017. With a total of 38 girls aged between 12 and 18 from across Ireland, the Girls’ Choir was directed by Ian Keatley, Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.While it wasn’t possible for this year’s event to take place as normal, we instead supported The Charles Wood Digital Festival which took place online in August and the launch of a new CD. To find out more about the Charles Wood Festival please visit          https://www.charleswoodsummerschool.org/

 

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