Bentra Mini Golf Opens

The newly installed mini golf facility placed at Bentra golf course has been officially opened today, Friday 30th January 2015. The opening ceremony took place at 11.00am with the Carrickfergus Mayoress, Patricia Johnston, unveiling a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Mayor, Alderman Charles Johnston, to mark the official opening of the mini golf facility, joined by Council Members and funders along with Whitehead Primary School Year 7's who will be testing the course out.

The mini golf course, funded by GROW South Antrim, features 18 holes highlighting key points of interest from the Borough throughout, players must plot their way round the fun and exciting challenges of each hole.

Councillor Terry Clements, Chair of the Bentra sub-committee said “This mini golf facility is a great addition to the Bentra golf course and compliments the regeneration projects completed in Whitehead. This has been built and designed for all the family in mind; I would encourage families with children of all ages to come along to try out this new addition to the Borough for a fun day out.”

The course will be open Monday to Sunday from dawn to dusk.

Pricing for mini-golf:
Adult price £3.50
5 – 12’s price £2.00
Under 5’s price £1.00
Family Ticket £10.00
25% discounted rate for 10+ players.

For further information on the mini golf facility please contact Bentra Clubhouse on 028 9337 8996 or e-mail: mail@bentragolf.co.uk.

Carrickfergus Mill Ponds seeking Local Nature Reserve Status

Carrickfergus Borough Council is in the process of applying for ‘Local Nature Reserve’ status for the Amphitheatre Mill Ponds, Carrickfergus.

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are areas where nature and wildlife is protected and where people can visit and enjoy contact with the natural world. Sites protected with LNR status benefit both the local community and local species. A good LNR should make a contribution to conservation, environmental education, community involvement and enjoyment.

The Mill Ponds is 3 hectares of land which is rich in biodiversity including a large pond, wetlands area, mature trees, species rich hedgerows and grassland. This area is regularly used by casual users, walkers, naturalists and school groups for education and outdoor recreation.

The Mill Ponds form part of the rich and varied industrial heritage of Carrickfergus and the site also lies within a significant green corridor connecting the coast with Bashfordsland Wood/Oakfield Glen and the countryside beyond.

A wide range of important species of flora and fauna can be found on this site, for example, kingfisher (feeding along the river), snipe (roosting/feeding in marsh) and grey wagtail (a pair nesting at the stream outflow). In addition, the ponds contain a number of invertebrate species including the notable lake orb mussel which is red-listed in Ireland as Vulnerable.