Adult Learners' Festival marked at three Westmeath locations

Kilbeggan, Mullingar, and Athlone were the venues in which this year's Aontas Adult Learners' Festival was marked in Westmeath.The Adult Learners' Festival, spearheaded by Aontas, is held to celebrate the achievements of adult learners. AONTAS is a non-governmental organisation that exists "to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives".In Westmeath, the VEC's Adult & Community Education Service offers a wide range of learning opportunities for more than 6000 adults throughout the county, including two Adult Literacy Schemes, two Vocational Training Opportunities Schemes, a Senior Traveller Training Centre, Youthreach, the Back to Education Initiative and an Adult Guidance Service, along with outreach Community Education and Arts Education Programmes. The Adult Learners' festival kicked off with an open day at the Further Education Centre, opened just last September, in Kilbeggan.Visitors were all interested in the programmes provided and delighted to meet the students and see their work on display. The students provided demonstrations in Woodwork, IT, Art and Cooking. The freshly baked scones and buns made by the students added to welcoming atmosphere.The following day, the Athlone Adult Education Centre hosted a "Bring a Friend" day, and the visitors sat in on specially-provided classes in cooking and horticulture.In Mullingar, the launch of the Co. Westmeath VEC Adult Education Service's annual report took place at a coffee morning in aid of Haiti at the Adult Education Centre in Mullingar.With support from all organisations in the business park as well as from the students and staff, a total of €575.55 was raised for Haiti.Three Community Employment Schemes - Delvin, Ballynacargy and Castletown-Geoghegan also displayed their mosaic art.The new Adult Education Board met for the first time and approved the Annual Report 2009.The festival closed on Friday with the FETAC Level 1 Award Ceremony. 15 participants from South Westmeath Adult Learning Programmes received full FETAC Level 1 Awards. They were the first in the county to receive such an award.To receive information on any of the Adult Education Centres' services call either Athlone (090 64 74080) or Mullingar (044 93 42111) or visit the website www.westmeathvec.ie.