Most readers will be aware that the National Trust has withdrawn permission from the Enniskillen parkrun to use the Castle Coole grounds for its weekly event.
The last parkrun at Castle Coole took place last Saturday after 171 weeks at the venue and 2023 runners taking part during that time.
The National Trust’s manager for Co. Fermanagh, Jim Chestnutt, had cited the expense of hosting the weekly run as being the reason for the decision to evict the parkrunners.
"The cost of maintaining Castle Coole to its present standard of care is significant and the Trust needs to sustain the property`s long term future through the support of all visitors to the property who come to enjoy its developing facilities," said Mr Chestnutt.
However, parkrun volunteer and National Trust member Heather Harper is not going to take the decision lying down. The Ballinamallard woman has started a petition asking the National Trust to review its decision. She has also pointed out that the National Trust encourages people to join their local parkrun and its website even states:
“Families that run together have fun together. At least that’s the idea behind parkrun, a free weekly run for adults and juniors.
“Local parkrunners have been encouraged to become members of the National Trust and visitors to the county, indulging in some "parkrun tourism", discovered that Enniskillen parkrun was proud to be the only parkrun in Northern Ireland hosted by the National Trust,” wrote Heather in support of her petition.
“We the parkrunners of Enniskillen would love to retain our parkrun at Castle Coole. Many of the parkrun family, who are also members of the National Trust, are very disappointed by the decision of the National Trust in Fermanagh to withdraw support for parkrun.
“I am committed to my inclusive parkrun family and I am also a member of the National Trust. My husband and three adult children are all members of the National Trust, visiting properties throughout the UK.
“We are now all parkrunners and are proud of the association between the two groups, especially at our closest property of Castle Coole. Both the National Trust and parkrun benefit from this partnership and we want to see it continue,” concluded Heather.
The petition had close on a 1,000 signatures earlier this week. If you want to support the return of the Enniskillen parkrun to Castle Coole you can sign the petition by clicking here.
The closure of the park run disappointed more than just the local runners, with Minister of Finance Máirtín Ó Muilleoir believing that every city should have a park run.
Disappointed to hear still no venue for Enniskillen park run. Every town deserves one. #RunBelfast pic.twitter.com/wxBaaQgEO2
— Máirtín Ó Muilleoir (@newbelfast) August 20, 2016
In the meantime, the Enniskillen parkrun moves tomorrow morning to a temporary home at the Lakeland Forum, a far cry from the timeless splendour of Castle Coole, with Castle Archdale currently being considered as a future venue.
