Carrickfergus Tree Week



Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee launched National Tree Week in Carrickfergus Borough at Oakfield Primary on Friday 19 November. The launch will also highlight our achievements since the year 2000, in which Carrickfergus Borough Council will have planted 100,000 trees by the end of this tree planting season.

Alderman Beattie said "National Tree Week (27th November to 5th December) is an annual event that launches the winter tree-planting season. Every year millions of trees are planted across the UK as part of the initiative. Tree Week is celebrating its 36th Birthday this year and in Carrickfergus Borough we will be playing our part by planting more trees."

"Although Carrickfergus Borough Council has committed to planting more trees, planting of new trees across the UK has fallen to its lowest level in more than three decades. We need more trees planted now if we are to see any benefit for forthcoming generations and with the start of National Tree Week, there is no better time to get planting."

"Although it may seem that there are plenty of trees, the UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with half the average tree cover, so we need to make sure that we don’t fall even further behind. Tree diseases such as ‘Sudden Oak Disease’ that has affected trees in Carrickfergus and throughout the UK are another reason why we need to continue planting a mix of trees."

"Planting a tree is a tremendously positive thing to do and is great fun, even in the depths of winter. There are plenty of reasons to get planting, it's great exercise, children love it, and you'll be making a valuable contribution to our community woodland. To take part in a tree planting event or for further information contact: Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council. t: 93358039 or e: parks@carrickfergus.org". ended Alderman Beattie

Tree planting events in December:

Tree Planting at Whitehead Recreation Grounds in association with Brighter Whitehead on Thursday 2nd December at 2pm.

Tree planting at Eden Allotment Gardens (off Beltoy Road) on Saturday 4th December at 11am.

For further information on any tree planting events please contact Stephen Daye on 9335 8039. More tree planting events will take place in January, February & March visit www.carrickfergus.org/treeweek for further information.

BBC ends its Breathing Places and Dig In campaigns

What a shame the BBC has scrapped its Breathing Places and Dig In campaigns. The campaigns promoted gardening with schemes such as giving away free seeds and trees. The BBC explained that Breathing Places was only supposed to last five years and Dig In was only supposed to last two. A BBC representative said 11,000 primary schools had registered for Breathing Places and 1,000 partners had held 28,000 public activities, with thousands attending Springwatch Festivals. The BBC has also helped create 1,000 new "Breathing Places", working with local organisations across the country and supported by the Big Lottery Fund. More than 100,000 people registered for the Dig In newsletter this year. Sow, Grow and Harvest animation films by TV gardener Chris Collins generated 300,000 views and the events, which visited nine towns this year, reached 50,000 people. The BBC came under fire from the Taxpayers Alliance for spending £150,000 giving away trees and vegetable seeds last year through the campaigns. In 2009, it spent £57,500 on giving away 250,000 packets of vegetable seeds as part of the Dig In campaign.

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.

Carrickfergus in Bloom winners honoured at prize-giving

Floral creativity has once again been recognised by the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative organised by Carrickfergus Borough Council. Local competition winners and runners-up will receive their well earned certificates and prizes at a prize-giving lunch in Carrickfergus Town Hall today (Friday 22nd October 2010) with over 110 people attending the event.
Competition categories included Best Kept Garden & Best Kept Container Garden for householders; Best Kept Commercial Premises for commercial organisations; Painting, Poetry and Tallest Sunflower Competitions for young people; and for internet users we have the Virtual Flower Show.

At the Lunch, the Chairperson of Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee, Alderman May Beattie thanked all those who took part in the competition and made it such a success. “The Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competitions have really caught the imagination of Carrickfergus citizens. When they started ten years ago, fewer than 300 took part; this year over 1,600 people battled the weather and created some beautiful floral displays that we can all enjoy." said Alderman Beattie

“Carrickfergus in Bloom is a beacon of community gardening good practice, as it encourages people to get involved, builds community spirit and improves the environment we all live in. With initiatives such as our school growing clubs and one pot pledge create opportunities for health, wellbeing and learning.”

Alderman Beattie also thanked the Competition Sponsors who paid for many of the flowerbeds and hanging baskets throughout the Borough. "The success of Carrickfergus in Bloom could not have happened without the generous support of local businesses throughout the Borough of Carrickfergus."

"We would also thank our statutory partners that have made Carrickfergus in Bloom such a success. Translink, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive & the Department of Regional Development have helped to improve the beauty of Carrickfergus 365 days a year; with the use of flowers, colourful shrubs, trees and attractive street furniture. As have many local groups in the Borough“. Ended Alderman Beattie

View winners at the Carrickfergus in Bloom website

Keep Britain Tidy Christmas Card Competition

Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? Then show what Keep Britain Tidy means to you this festive season by designing the Keep Britain Tidy Christmas card!

Help Keep Britain Tidy to spread their yuletide message far and wide, the winning picture will be transformed into the 2010 Christmas e-card which will then be emailed out to all their thousands of friends and supporters up and down the country!

Open to all ages, they are looking for eye-catching entries which cleverly combine fun and festivity along with an environmental theme. The Keep Britain Tidy logo (click here) should be depicted somewhere in your picture and all entries should be on one side of A4 paper in a landscape format, and submitted by post. To enter, simply send your picture to:

Christmas Card Competition
Marketing Team
Keep Britain Tidy
Elizabeth House
The Pier
Wigan
WN3 4EX

So what are you waiting for, fast forward to Christmas, get creative and help Keep Britain Tidy!

LINK: Keep Britain Tidy website

Whitehead Village Masterplan

Your Village, Your Say Village Masterplan Public Consultation

Whitehead Community Centre, Whitehead
Wednesday 20 October 2010, 6.00pm - 9.00pm

A masterplan is currently being prepared for Whitehead. This will identify a range of potential projects for improvement of the village.
Draft plans will be on public display for comment and the consultant team will be faciliating an open evening to discuss the proposals.
What kind of place would you like Whitehead to be in the future? Your views are vital so come along and tell us what you think.
Draft Village plans will be on display for a 4 week period Monday 11 October - Friday 5 November at Whitehead Library and online at www.carrickfergus.org

Children’s Community Competition Winners Announced

Today Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside and Amenities Sub-Committee announced the winners and runners-up (list enclosed) of the Carrickfergus in Bloom Children’s Painting & Poetry Competitions.

Alderman Beattie said “We are delighted to announce the Carrickfergus in Bloom Children’s Painting & Poetry Competition Winners and Runners-up. The response from our young people has been extraordinary with hundreds of entries to judge. I am thrilled about the quality and diversity of the entrants. It has been an opportunity for me to see the wealth and variety of artistic talent in our community. “Winners and runners-up will be invited to a prize-giving ceremony at the end of October in Carrickfergus Town Hall to receive their certificates and prizes.

Children’s Painting Competition 15 and under
Winner: Laura Murdy, Carrickfergus
Runner-Up: Lauren Finlay, Carrickfergus
Runner-Up: Jamie Blakely, Carrickfergus

Children’s Painting Competition 10 and under
Winner: Grainne White, Carrickfergus
Runner-Up: Nicole Alderdice, Carrickfergus
Runner-Up: Shannon Vermanen, Carrickfergus

View the winning paintings

Children’s Poetry Competition
Winner: Nathan Toland, Carrickfergus (read poem)
Runner-Up: Kirsty Wilson, Carrickfergus (read poem)
Runner-Up: Emily Turner, Carrickfergus (read poem)