Love Parks Week

Love Parks Week (21 July 2012 to 29 July 2012) is an annual campaign to celebrate parks and other green space. With over loads of events across the Borough - from Zumba classes to Butterfly Hunts - there is something for everyone in Love Parks Week 2012.

Events include:

Moth Hunt on Saturday 21st July from 7pm in Eden Allotment Gardens. Come back the next day at 11am to identify the moths collected.

Big Butterfly Hunt on Sunday 22nd July at 2pm in Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood.

Woodland Walk at Oakfield Glen & Bashfordsland Wood 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.

For events at www.carrickfergus.org/loveparks

Carrickfergus Borough gets set to love parks

The people of Carrickfergus Borough and throughout the UK are showing how much they love their local parks by getting out and celebrating national Love Parks Week, which takes place between Saturday 23rd and Sunday 31st July 2011.

Alderman Jim McClurg, Mayor of Carrickfergus said “Love Parks Week encourages friends, families, the young and old, to come together and enjoy what our parks and green spaces offer. People must never forget that these spaces provide many opportunities for friendships, education, health, exercise and simple play and fun. Let’s celebrate our green spaces, show you support for Love Parks Week.”

“Love Parks Week is the perfect excuse to get outdoors and enjoy the summer. We’re celebrating all that parks have to offer, so why not visit your local park during the campaign to show what it means to you?

“Love Parks Week is the ultimate green campaign; it commands for our parks and green spaces to be supported and invested in, whilst delivering a whole week of free local outdoor events throughout the Borough, visit our website www.carrickfergus.org/loveparks to find out what’s going on in a park near you.”

“Events range from Tai Chi, Zumba & Boot Camps to Moth and Butterfly Hunts and other wildlife events and walks. We also have ‘Picture the Parks’ a chance to celebrate our parks and green space through photography with local experts from Carrickfergus Camera Club who can show residents how to take that professional standard photograph. We want these events to inspire people to get out and enjoy fresh air and fun outdoors.”

“Sometimes people overlook the many benefits our leafy parks and green spaces provide, from physical and mental health improvements to pure play and entertainment, plus let’s not forget the contribution they make to building communities and their enormous environmental benefit.” Ended Alderman McClurg

Celebrating Love Parks Week’s fifth birthday, organisers GreenSpace aim to double their numbers by gathering one million people into parks and green spaces across the country, showcasing the benefits which are obtainable from free, local resources and encouraging further promotion and reinvestment into such valuable, but often forgotten assets.

Chris Beardshaw, award winning garden designer and TV presenter of ‘Get Up And Grow’ the BBC Northern Ireland gardening series is supporting Love Parks Week and is passionate about our green spaces, he said "I spent most of my youth outdoors and I think exploring a local park is a brilliant way to get children thinking about their surroundings and the community they live in. Britain’s parks are an invaluable legacy from the past - many are more than 100 years old – but they are an important part of our future. There is so much evidence now on the positive impact good green spaces have on our lives, be that our health and well-being, our social fabric, even helping the economy and reducing crime rates and the evidence is continuing to grow. By visiting a public green space and witnessing the passion and enthusiasm of those who create and maintain them, you can enliven the senses and help keep these spaces alive and vital.”

Paul Bramhill, Chief Executive of GreenSpace, said: “We are asking as many people as possible to get into parks to join our campaign for continued investment and support for these valuable assets. Love Parks Week is an annual UK campaign, organised by parks charity GreenSpace. The campaign has been established as a major event that is celebrated in parks across the country. Last year Love Parks Week saw over 800 events registered across the country providing opportunities for nearly half a million people to get together outdoors and make the most of what our parks offer.”

Web Link: www.carrickfergus.org/loveparks

New Orienteering Course in Carrickfergus

People in Carrickfergus Borough are being offered a new way to stretch their legs and their minds, with the launch of a new permanent orienteering course at Bashfordsland Wood and Oakfield Glen.

 The Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman Jim McClurg officially opened the new course and its accompanying map which was funded by Carrickfergus Borough Council. At the launch, 100 local secondary school pupils took part in a competition laid on by NI Orienteering.

Alderman McClurg said “We want to encourage as many people as possible to explore this beautiful woodland area and get fit at the same. Orienteering is a fun way to exercise both your leg power and your brain power. It’s also been proven that exercising in woodland and other green spaces boosts both your physical health as well as your mental health. The beauty of this area is the open access for active recreation, which lends itself perfectly to orienteering. Permanent orienteering courses like these are aimed at beginners and improving orienteer’s who want to practice their skills and enjoy a walk, or run in the woods. I would like to thank NI Orienteering for all their help and advice to make this project a reality and a big thank you to the Woodland Trust who manages Oakfield Glen.”

Helen Baxter, NI Orienteering said “Orienteering combines outdoor adventure and fun, it is ideal for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. Orienteering involves using a map to navigate round a series of control points that are marked on the ground by red and white flags. Orienteering maps are specially drawn to a large scale with lots of detail. The sport provides a healthy mix of physical activity and mental challenge. Map reading skills are learned while having fun finding the markers on your course. Everyone can take part at their own pace. It’s perfect for children, who can run around in a fun, safe, controlled environment and also excellent for adults wanting to shape up, try something new and meet new friends.”

If you would like to try orienteering, visit the Council website www.carrickfergus.org for events or to download the course map. The map is also available at Oakfield Community Centre. The NI Orienteering website (www.niorienteering.org.uk) has lots of events and advice on Orienteering throughout Northern Ireland.”



Orienteering Course at Bashfordsland Wood



Family Fun Day at Bashfordsland Wood

On Saturday 26th February you will be spoilt for choice with all the activities and entertainment on offer at the Family Fun Day at Bashfordsland Wood.
The day offers a variety of activities including face painting, storytelling, samba drumming, guided walks, willow weaving and arts and crafts.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Storytelling sessions 12.45pm, 1.45pm & 2.45pm
Guided walks 1pm and 2pm (meet at marquee)
Drumming Workshop - 12.30pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm

Parking is available at Oakfield Community Centre. Bashfordsland Wood  is located at Red Fort Park, off Marshallstown Road, Carrickfergus - see location map.

Blue Sky Green Space

A new report that collates the latest and most persuasive data on the positive influence of green spaces has been published by the GreenLINK coalition. The document, Blue Sky Green Space, outlines the many benefits that a diverse range of quality green spaces bring, covering health, communities, economic and environmental value. The full collaborative document is currently available in draft form online, where comment and contribution is encouraged from all. An executive summary of the report was presented to ministers in October as part of GreenLINK's advocacy strategy. Read the report here.

Report claims parks help kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

As Love Parks Week kicks off, encouraging people all across the country to appreciate the beauty of our parks, a new report from the UK body for public health specialists shows that parks may be beneficial to our health as well. The Faculty of Public Health report “The Great Outdoors: How Our Natural Health Service Uses Green Space To Improve Wellbeing” says parks are essential to our mental wellbeing. Nature’s impact on mental conditions in children such as depression or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has shown to be more effective than prescribed drugs because of the physical activity involved in outdoor leisure activities.

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, helps ensure the UK has the right skills to keep our parks in tip-top condition. David Winn, Lantra’s horticulture, landscaping and sports turf manager, said: “Encouraging people into a career in landscaping is essential for the maintenance of our parks.

This report says poor mental health costs the UK economy £2.6 billion a year, so if parks can indeed help change this that’s good news. But don’t forget our parks need a highly skilled workforce to keep our green spaces accessible to everyone.” Not only do parks have a positive impact on visitors but they can help those working in them too.

Susan Stuart, Battersea Park garden manager at horticultural therapy charity Thrive said: “There’s tangible evidence that gardening creates a sense of wellbeing. There’s so many things you can do with gardening, such as help people to develop, achieve and feel good about themselves and what they do.”

To read more about how green spaces can impact our health, download the report at www.lantra.co.uk.

Get snap happy this summer

“Are you a keen photographer? If so then there are two photography competitions that will interest you. Carrickfergus in Bloom’s Virtual Flower Show with a £450 prize fund and “Postcards from the Park” 2010, a national photography competition organised by parks charity GreenSpace with a £1000 prize fund.

“The Virtual Flower Show is an opportunity for Carrickfergus Borough residents to show off their photographic and gardening skills in this internet based competition” said Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer. Borough residents are requested to submit before 21st August a favourite photograph taken during the last year, which fits one of the six categories:

My Garden
My Favourite Outdoor Plant
My Favourite Indoor Plant
My Favourite Landscape or Garden Setting
Flowers in their natural, wild setting
Flowers with pets or other animals

Entries may be submitted in jpeg format to the Virtual Flower Show website www.virtualflowershow.org. Enter the Virtual Flower Show before 21st August and you will be automatically entered into a free prize draw to win an Olympus Digital Camera.

“Postcards from the Park” highlights the unique part that parks play in community life.” said Environmentalist and presenter, Chris Packham. "Parks are great places to take photos and there’ll be no problem finding loads of interesting subject matter, from wildlife to trees, and people having fun to detailed features on a bandstand or building. We are always impressed with the flair of photos we receive and I'm sure this year's entries will be even better." To enter “Postcards from the Park” visit www.postcardsfromthepark.org.uk.

Paul Bramhill, of GreenSpace, said: “Postcards from the Park is an excellent way for everyone to get out and about and enjoy their local public park. This competition has now become one of the highlights of the parks’ calendar and I am looking forward to seeing all the entries.”

For further information contact Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council. T: (028) 93358039 or E: inbloom@carrickfergus.org

Love Parks Week in Carrickfergus Borough

Love Parks Week 2010 will take place between Saturday 24th July and Sunday 1st August. We are asking as many people as possible to get into parks to join our campaign for continued investment and support for these valuable assets. Love Parks Week is an annual UK campaign, organised by parks charity GreenSpace. The campaign has been established as a major event that is celebrated in parks across the country.

In Carrickfergus Borough we have a number of events.

Shakepeare's Much Ado About Nothing: Don't miss the now annual outdoor theatre production of one of Shakepeare's finest plays, 'Much Ado About Nothing' on Saturday 24 July at Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus. Gates open Saturday: 6.30pm; Show starts 7.30pm. Admission is Free, but entry is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Don't forget to bring a picnic and dress appropriately for the outdoor weather conditions!

Alice through the Looking Glass: For the first year, this event will include a special performance of the children's classic 'Alice through the Looking Glass' on Sunday 25 July making a special afternoon out for all the family.
Gates open at Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus on Sunday: 2pm; Show starts 3pm. Admission is Free, but entry is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Don't forget to bring a picnic and dress appropriately for the outdoor weather conditions!

Big Moth Hunt: Date: Tuesday 27th July (7.30 to 9pm) & Venue: Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. Join Catherine Bertrand from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and discover what moth species you can find at Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. Fun FREE event for all. FREE Butterfly ID Chart for all participants. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. This event continues the following morning at 10am to ID what has been discovered.

Moth Identification Event: Date: Wednesday 28th July (10am) & Venue: Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. This follows on from the Big Moth Hunt on Tuesday 27th at Eden Allotment Gardens.

Big Butterfly Count: Date: Wednesday 28th July (11.30am to 1pm) & Venue: Bashfordsland Wood (Meet at Oakfield Community Centre). Join Catherine Bertrand from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and discover what species you can find at Bashfordsland Wood. Fun FREE event for all. FREE Butterfly ID Chart for all participants. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.

Seashore Safari: Date: Saturday 31st July 2010 from 12 to 1.30pm & Meet at Blackhead Path Car Park, Whitehead. Flora and Fauna Rocks! Explore the flora, fauna and geology of Blackhead Path and shoreline. Visit the weird and wonderful habitat that exists along Blackhead Path with Geologist Ian Enlander from the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group and Botanist John Wann.

Would You Like An Event In Your Local Park? Then please contact us, see details below.

For further information please contact: Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer. Telephone: 028 9335 8039 ~ E-Mail: parks@carrickfergus.org . To visit the Love Parks Week Website go to: www.loveparksweek.org.uk

Postcards from the Park
As if all these lovely events weren’t enough, you can also win £1,000 of Jessops vouchers simply by taking a great photo of your park. GreenSpace has teamed up with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund to bring you the Postcards from the Park photography competition. It ends along with Love Parks Week on 1st August, so take a peek at www.postcardsfromthepark.org.uk and get snapping!

LINK: Love Parks Week in Carrickfergus

Swan kill condemned

Carrickfergus Borough Council has condemned the killing of a swan at the Amphitheatre Wildlife Ponds in Carrickfergus. Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer with Carrickfergus Borough Council said "The swan was killed by a single shot crossbow sometime yesterday evening (9th June 2010) from a dart lodged in its neck. The bird's mate and seven cygnets’ were thankfully not injured during the vicious attack at the wildlife ponds off Prince William Way in Carrickfergus. The police have been contacted and have launched an inquiry after the dead bird was discovered on Thursday morning." "The swan would have died a slow and painful death and it is vital that those responsible or those who have evidence pertaining to this attack contact the police immediately. Whoever is responsible must be found so that we can prevent other animals from falling victim to this kind of senseless violence. We see far too many cases where people seem to think they can simply use animals for target practice." The offenders could face a fine of up to £5,000 under the The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

'Green' exercise quickly 'boosts mental health'

Just five minutes of exercise in a "green space" such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim. There is growing evidence that combining activities such as walking or cycling with nature boosts well-being. In the latest analysis, UK researchers looked at evidence from 1,250 people in 10 studies and found fast improvements in mood and self-esteem. The study in the Environmental Science and Technology journal suggested the strongest impact was on young people. The research looked at many different outdoor activities including walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming in locations such as a park, garden or nature trail. The biggest effect was seen within just five minutes. With longer periods of time exercising in a green environment, the positive effects were clearly apparent but were of a smaller magnitude, the study found. Looking at men and women of different ages, the researchers found the health changes - physical and mental - were particularly strong in the young and the mentally-ill.

A bigger effect was seen with exercise in an area that also contained water - such as a lake or river. Study leader Jules Pretty, a researcher at the University of Essex, said those who were generally inactive, or stressed, or with mental illness would probably benefit the most from "green exercise". "Employers, for example, could encourage staff in stressful workplaces to take a short walk at lunchtime in the nearest park to improve mental health." He also said exercise programmes outdoors could benefit youth offenders. "A challenge for policy makers is that policy recommendations on physical activity are easily stated but rarely adopted widely."

Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said the research is yet further evidence that even a short period of green exercise can provide a low cost and drug-free therapy to help improve mental wellbeing. "It's important that people experiencing depression can be given the option of a range of treatments, and we would like to see all doctors considering exercise as a treatment where appropriate." Mind runs a grant scheme for local environmental projects to help people with mental illness get involved in outdoor activities.