An organisation which has proved to be a life-line for women in Fermanagh for the last decade will cease to operate in September this year due to the lack of funding.

The 'Women in Agriculture' group, lead by Ann Orr, has not been successful in securing any funding in the latest Peace III money to be released.

Mrs Orr spoke about her disappointed that the Peace III funding has failed to fund any development for women in Northern Ireland.

She explained Women in Agriculture is a unique venture which she helped set up in 1999, and since then it has helped 1,000s of women, particular from a rural background, learn new skills, take their first steps into the job market, or even to set up their own businesses.

Mrs Orr continued: "They may say these type of skills can be developed at the South West College, but the reality is we were able to provide training and support to women at a time and a place which suited them. That is what made us so invaluable. We were a drop-in place where people could come for help and support and to learn from one another."

She explained that while the group had been expecting for some time that they may not secure the funding, there was still a sense of shock among members.

On a personal note, Mrs Orr is the only employee of the group, and was backed up in her work by a large number of volunteers. Mrs Orr, who comes from a farming background herself, was one of the founders of the group in 1999.

She explains she knew the challenges facing women in rural areas because of her individual experiences and is adamant that need is still very real today.

STRANDED

The loss of Women in Agriculture, the only group of its' kind in Northern Ireland , she went on, will leave ladies here stranded when it comes to getting advice and support: "Where do they turn now?" she asks.

"You can ring the Department of Agriculture, but you might have to go through five different sections to try and get an answer.

"This will really take away the local input and the fact you are talking to someone from the area. That makes a big difference."

Women in Agriculture recently received an award of excellence from SEUPB (the Special EU Programmes Body) as one of the top 15 projects chosen out of 5,200 projects in Peace II.

However, despite proving they are a top-class example of how funding should be spent, Mrs Orr admits there is little hope of saving Women in Agriculture .

And with September fast approaching her disappointment is echoed by many women around the county who relied on the group over the years.