Timeline since the beginning
1978 – Ian Bothwell first visited Crossmaglen after TV documentary and was impacted to take action
1980 – Market Stall started in Crossmaglen
1981 – 1st Summer Programme and Volunteer Team – 5 day Children’s Club held in Crossmaglen with day trips and camping
1981 – The Republican Hunger Strike
1982 – 1st Ulsterbus bought and converted into mobile coffee bar
1983 – Purchase “Care Wagon” – used for summer camps and market in Crossmaglen
1984 – Crossfire Trust founded
1985 – Anglo Irish Agreement signed
1986 - Ian and Pauline get married
1986 – Purchased Darkley House
1987 – Shop opened in Coach House – open twice a week selling quality clothing
1989 – Started ACE scheme (Action for Community Employment)
1990 – Ian visits USA and Crossfire Trust develops international links
1990 – Purchased second Ulsterbus – converted to mobile coffee bar and outreach unit
1991 – Justin Bothwell born
1992 - Moved ACE scheme to Main Street, Darkley Village
1993 – Megan Bothwell born
1994 – Darkley House acknowledged as a Lighthouse providing emergency care and support
1994 – 31 days Project – creating presence of Jesus in Crossmaglen
1994 – IRA announce ceasefire
1995 – Ian visits Argentina to observe reconciliation initiatives
1997 – Ian holds a 40 day fast to pray for Ireland
1997 - Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was shot. He was the last British soldier to die in the Troubles.
1997 – Purchased third Ulsterbus converted to mobile coffee bar and outreach unit – officially named “Life
Shelter”
1998 – Worn Again opened
1998 – Good Friday Agreement signed
1999 – Darkley House refurbished
2000 – Reconciliation initiatives launched
2000 – The Singing Kettle established
2001 – Marquee Purchased
2002 – Ian awarded US President´s Prize and Nationwide Volunteer Hero Award
2003 – Ian visits Washington DC to receive prize from President George Bush at The White House
2003 – Memory Making Ltd established
2003 – Yarn and Darn established
2004 – Darkley Club House established
2004 - Visit to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Mary McAleese
2004 – 25th Anniversary of Crossfire Trust
2004 – Community Audit revealed need for new vehicle
2005 – Major focus on funding to develop Crossfire Trust
2005 - Work started on the Peace Garden
2005 – The Banks opened by Steve Collier, semi professional Irish Premier League footballer
2005 – Plans drawn up for Coach House Enterprise Park
2005 - Crossfire wins award - ´Community Environments for All´
2006 - Appoint full time Youth Worker - Phil McEvoy
2006 – Take delivery of Mega Mobile
2007 - Ian attends National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC
2007 - Care Programme established
2007 - Manager appointed for Care Programme
2007 - Strategic Action Plan Launched
2007 - Funding finalised for Coach House Enterprise Park
2008 - Works get underway on Coach House Enterprise Park
2008 - Crossfire Trust awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service
2009 - Funding finalised for The Apartments
2009 - Demolition started on garages
2009 - Restoring Hope Project launched
2009 - New team appointed for Care Programme
2010 - Mega Mobile coordinator appointed
2010 - Added Value manager appointed
2010 - The Apartments completed
2010 - 30th Anniversary celebrated