National Poetry Day

To celebrate National Poetry Day today (Thursday 4th October 2012), Carrickfergus Borough Council has announced the winners of the Carrickfergus in Bloom Poetry Competition. The winners are:

Winner: Laura Wright, Whitehead.
Runner-Up: Anna Bricle, Carrickfergus.
Runner-Up: Eve Hughes, Carrickfergus.

Read the winning poems at http://www.carrickfergusinbloom.org/newwinners.htm

Works starts on Marine Gardens play area

Work has started on the new Marine Gardens play area. See designs in Compass Magazine at http://www.carrickfergus.org/fs/doc/Queen%20Compass%202012.pdf.

Rose Award Success for Borough

Carrickfergus has been award the Translink Ulster in Bloom – Roses in Towns Trophy for 2012 at an award ceremony at Belfast Castle today. The Roses in Towns Trophy, is presented annually to the Council area with the best display of roses. The Borough also received the Best Station Award for Carrickfergus Rail & Bus Station and Best Community Rail Halt Award for Whitehead Rail Station.

Alderman May Beattie said "The three awards received today is recognition of the horticultural talent we have within the borough. Translink Ulster in Bloom is a great opportunity for our Borough to enhance its surroundings and create beautiful displays that are enjoyed by everybody. Our Borough is renowned for its floral displays which are enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. The Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative also plays a critical role in bringing people and investment to the town. However, it's important to say that issues such as cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement are equally as important.

In the Borough, the 'In Bloom' initiative is much more than bedding plants and making the Borough look good for one day; instead it is a 365 day initiative. Carrickfergus Borough Council along with our partners have done a wonderful job in broadening the appeal of the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative, by getting people to work together we have made our Borough better. Our successes within Ulster in Bloom could not have happened without the generous support of local people, community groups, businesses and other statuary bodies. I would like to thank the Council’s Parks and Cleansing staff whose hard work and imagination has been the backbone of our entries over many years and I congratulate everyone who took part this year." Ended Alderman May Beattie

Carrickfergus in Bloom Winner Announced

Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside and Amenities Sub-Committee has announced the Carrickfergus in Bloom Competition Winners and Runners-up this morning for the Borough-wide Best Kept Awards.

At the Whitehead home of the Best Kept Garden winner Leslie Spearman, Alderman Beattie said “We are delighted to announce the Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competition Winners and Runners-up. Despite the dismal weather this year we have been impressed with the quality and diversity of the entrants that have entered. It has been an opportunity for me to see the wealth and variety of horticultural talent in our Borough.”

“Winners and runners-up will be invited to a prize-giving ceremony at the Town Hall in October to receive their certificates and prizes. At the ceremony we shall announce our plans for Carrickfergus in Bloom in the coming year. I would also like to thank the sponsors for supporting Carrickfergus in Bloom." ended Alderman Beattie

Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer with Carrickfergus Borough Council and one of the judges commented "The quality of the entries this year has been impressive, the time and dedication many entrants spend in their gardens is a credit too them. Deciding on the winners is difficult and the marks can be very close, all who took part should be proud of their achievements." Please note Best Kept Painting & Poetry competitions are still open to enter visit www.carrickfergusinbloom.org/competitions.

 

Best Kept Garden

• Winner: Leslie Spearman from Whitehead
• Runner-Up: Deborah Walker from Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Georgie Brown from Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Nicola Porter from Carrickfergus

Best Kept Container Garden

• Winner: Marilyn Cairns from Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Annette Keith from Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Elizabeth Johnston from Eden
• Runner-Up: Chris Hamil from Whitehead

Best Kept Community Planting Scheme

• Winner: Carrickfergus Traders Association
• Runner-Up: Brighter Whitehead
• Runner-Up: Barn Court Children’s Home, Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Brooklands Drive Residents Association, Whitehead.

Best Commercial Premises

• Winner: The Courtyard, Carrickfergus.
• Runner-Up: Hairtopia, Whitehead.
• Runner-Up: Gary's, Carrickfergus.

Best Kept Café, Pub or Hotel

• Winner: Coffee & Cream, Whitehead.
• Runner-Up: Hillcrest Bed & Breakfast, Carrickfergus.
• Runner-Up: The Courtyard Coffee House, Carrickfergus.

Tallest Sunflower Competition

• Winner: Thomas & Harry Irwin from Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Laura Clugston & Roma Rajkumar from Carrickfergus
• Runner-Up: Sarah & Scott Alexander from Carrickfergus

Tallest Sunflower Competition

Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee is asking the Borough’s young gardening enthusiasts who have not filled in their application to do so before 4th September.

Alderman Beattie said "Carrickfergus Borough Council in April handed out thousands of sunflower seeds to Carrickfergus Borough primary and secondary school children as part of the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative. We also distributed application forms with the seed packs and have been amazed by the number of applications and photos received to date, the competition really catches the imagination of our young people. Last year's winner Joel McKimm from Carrickfergus grew a massive sunflower over 3 meters in height and we hope to have similar sizes this year despite the poor summer weather and recent stormy weather "

"Applicants for the Tallest Sunflower Competition are requested to measure their sunflower during the last week of August using a metric tape measure and complete the application form. Additional application forms are available from the Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre, Local Newspapers or from the Carrickfergus in Bloom website: www.carrickfergusinbloom.org."

"Due to the bank holiday Tuesday 4th September is the last day applications will be accepted and not 1st September as recently advertised in press advertisements and on promotional leaflets."

"The Carrickfergus in Bloom Children's Community Competitions have a total prize fund of £350. Other competitions include Poetry & Painting; entries for these competitions must be received by 30th September."

"Everybody who lives within the Borough of Carrickfergus is invited to take part in Carrickfergus in Bloom as there is something for everyone. By entering you not only brighten up your own house but you also aid our Borough's entry to the Ulster in Bloom competition." ended Alderman Beattie

The winners and runner-up will be invited to a prize-giving ceremony at the Town Hall in October to receive their certificates and prizes.

TAKE PART IN COMPETITION

78 species found at Moth & Butterfly Hunt

At the weekend a Moth & Butterfly Hunt took place at Eden Allotment Gardens and Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood. The event was a great success with 78 different species of moth & butterfly found over the two day monitoring period. The results prove the rich and diverse habitats and species which exist in Carrickfergus Borough. The scale of the results impressed Catherine Bertrand, from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland. Catherine said "The measures Council has taken to extend habitat provision and protect wildlife in Carrickfergus has resulted in a healthier environment, not just for wildlife but for everyone who lives here."

The Moth & Butterfly Hunt was part of the Love Parks Week initiative, which takes place between Saturday 21st and Sunday 29th July 2012. Events this weekend include:

Whitehead's Marvellous Medicine Walk with Marian Partridge on Saturday 28th July at 11am meeting in Blackhead Car Park.

A Woodland Walk at Oakfield Glen & Bashfordsland Wood with Dr Ben Simon on Saturday 28th July at 2pm meeting in Oakfield Community Centre.

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet on Saturday 28th July in Shaftesbury Park. Gates open at 6.30pm. Show starts at 7.30pm.

Around the Allotments Photographic Exhibition by Stevie Gill (28th July 2012 - 8th August 2012) at Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre.

All events are free. For further information visit http://www.carrickfergus.org/events/item/263/love-parks-week/

Big Butterfly Count - this weekend (21st & 22nd July)

Carrickfergus Borough residents will part in the world’s biggest butterfly survey this weekend. This follows a warning from Butterfly Conservation President Sir David Attenborough who has warned that butterflies could suffer serious population crashes this year following record-breaking wet weather.

Last year, the UK public counted more than 320,000 butterflies. The data provided vital information - revealing that the average number of individual butterflies seen was down by 11% compared with 2010's figures. This year Butterfly Conservation wants to discover how garden favourite - the Small Tortoiseshell is faring after research revealed numbers were down across our countryside once again.

Catherine Bertrand, from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland said: "The measures we take to protect butterflies in Carrickfergus result in a healthier environment, not just for wildlife but for everyone who lives here. I would encourage Carrickfergus residents to come along to the Butterfly Count events at Eden Allotment Gardens and Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood this weekend. " Carrickfergus Borough we have a number of Big Butterfly Count events.

Big Moth Hunt on Saturday 21st July at 7pm at Eden Allotment Gardens. Join Catherine Bertrand from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and discover what moth species you can find at Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. This event continues the following morning (Sunday 22nd July) at 11am to ID what has been discovered.

Big Butterfly Count on Sunday 22nd July 2012 from 2pm at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood (Meeting at Bentra Golf Course Car Park). Join Catherine Bertrand from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and discover what species you can find at the Borough's new venue Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood, which open in June this year to commemorate the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, marking Queen Elizabeth's 60th year as monarch.

Both events are FREE and those attending will also receive a FREE Butterfly ID Chart.

Sir David is urging the UK public to see how species have fared following several exceptionally damp months. April, the wettest for a century, was followed by the dampest June on record which saw flooding across parts of the UK. It is feared butterflies may have suffered poor breeding seasons as a result, which could lead to population crashes later this year or next spring. Conservationists are drawing parallels with the wet summer of 2007 which resulted in widespread flooding across parts of the UK and saw butterfly numbers plummet. Prolonged cold, wet weather delays emergence periods, reduces butterflies' life span and hampers mating and egg laying leading to fewer offspring. The results of this year's Big Butterfly Count will help assess the impact of the wet weather on our butterflies.

Sir David Attenborough explained: "The wet weather this spring and early summer has made life really hard for our butterflies and things could get worse unless conditions improve. Our butterflies were already struggling - almost three quarters of UK species have decreased in numbers during the last ten years. These falls are worrying because butterflies are important indicator species for our environment - their declines suggest a wider insect biodiversity crisis. You can play a vital role in the battle to secure their future. By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count you will be providing important information that could help turn their fortunes around."

For the third year running, the Big Butterfly Count is taking place in partnership with Marks & Spencer as part of its Plan A commitment to be the world's most sustainable major retailer by 2015. Richard Gillies, M&S Director of Plan A, said: "This is our third year of partnering with Butterfly Conservation, and we are encouraging all of our farmers, customers and employees to take part in the Big Butterfly Count. After all of the wet weather we have had this year we need as many people to take part as possible; at M&S we really want to make a positive contribution to the environment and by helping to get as many people involved in the Butterfly Count we can get a better understanding of biodiversity and how we can all play our part to protect it."

The Big Butterfly Count is encouraging a new generation of butterfly conservationists with The Butterfly Effect - a fun, educational programme organised by the National Schools Partnership (NSP) to get primary schools and families involved in the Count. Create your own virtual butterfly and discover more at http://www.butterflyeffectschools.org/

For more details about the big butterfly count visit http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/