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



Reducing the Horticultural Use of Peat

Defra today set out a new policy framework to reduce the use of peat in horticulture to zero by 2030 as part of the Natural Environment White Paper. This includes the following milestones:

a progressive phase-out target of 2015 for government and the public sector on direct procurement of peat in new contracts for plants;

a final voluntary phase-out target of 2030 for professional growers of fruit, vegetables and plants;

we will establish a Task Force bringing together representatives from across the supply chain with a clear remit to advise on how best to overcome the barriers to reducing peat use, exploring all the available measures to achieve this goal;

building on the advice of the Task Force, we will review progress towards these targets before the end of this spending period and consider the potential for alternative policy measures if necessary.

The taskforce will be chaired by Dr. Alan Knight OBE and include representatives from retailers, growing media manufacturers, growers and environmental organisations. It will have a clear remit to foster a partnership approach focussing on identifying and addressing supply chain issues, exploring all available measures to deliver our ambition and determining the criteria against which the policy will be reviewed. Peat is cheap, readily available and of consistent quality, and any alternative has to compete with these factors. The taskforce will produce a comprehensive and detailed roadmap to address barriers in relation to both the supply and demand of peat alternatives, with the aim of reforming once and for all a supply chain focussed around peat.

Also published today was the summary of responses to Defra’s recent consultation on this issue, along with two research reports which provide part of the evidence base for today’s announcement. Link: Summary of consultation responses.

In Carrickfergus Borough Council we have already baned the purchasing of peat at our properties (more info here).

Launch of Carrickfergus in Bloom 2011

This lunchtime the Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman Jim McClurg, will be launching Carrickfergus in Bloom 2011 in the grounds of the Andrew Jackson Cottage. School children from throughout Carrickfergus Borough and Community representatives will also be joining the Mayor.

Alderman Jim McClurg said “This year we are continuing with the Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competition. Categories include Best Kept Garden for individuals; For children we have Painting and Poetry Competitions and the very popular Tallest Sunflower Competition. For the Business Community we have hotly fought categories such as Best Kept Shop. And for those interested in showing off their gardening and photography skills we have the Virtual Flower Show. All these competitions have not only brightened-up our Borough but have been fundamental to our success in Ulster in Bloom. Let’s make 2011 another winning years for Carrickfergus Borough.”

The Mayor also announced that in the next few weeks the Council will plant out thousands of summer bedding plants and thanked the many sponsors for their generous support and commitment to the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative. He also thanked the local schools who have shown such commitment to the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative. “The Schools Growing Club initiative is a great success and young people throughout the Borough are already benefiting with the link between healthy eating and growing fruit and vegetables at home and school. The growing schools initiative offers students the benefit of practical hands on activities, helping to motivate and enhance their learning experience.”

The Mayor continued “In 2011 we will continue with the Carrickfergus in Bloom campaigns of promoting capacity building through our grants initiative; we will also be encouraging wildlife gardening thought the Blooming Wild campaign; as well as the food growing campaign with initiatives such as the One Pot Pledge.”

“Fruit and vegetable growing is also taking place at Eden Allotment Gardens. Since the launch in 2008 the allotments have expanded to become the largest allotment site in Ireland. We thank Sunnybank Garden Centre for continuing their support of the Best Kept Allotment Competition.”

The Mayor also highlighted the important partnership working that is carried out. “Carrickfergus Borough Council along with the Department of Environment, Housing Executive plus various community and charitable groups are working together to improve the environment of Carrickfergus Borough. The significant improvements at Bashfordsland Wood is an excellent example of partnership working that involved many organisations." ended Alderman McClurg

Representatives from Brighter Whitehead

Councillor May Beattie with Stewart Bradshaw and pupils from Carrickfergus Grammar

Listen Again to Gardeners' Question Time in Carrickfergus

If you missed the broadcast of Gardeners' Question Time in Carrickfergus or just want to listen again just click the link below. The website also has some photographs of the event.

Link to BBC Gardeners' Question Time website

Eric Robson in Carrickfergus

Gardeners' Question Time in Carrickfergus

Around 150 attended the recording of Gardeners' Question Time in Carrickfergus Town Hall last night. The panel members were Bunny Guinness, Bob Flowerdew & Christine Walkden with Eric Robson chairing the panel. It was announced that the recording from Carrickfergus would be broadcasted on Friday 29 April, the day of the royal wedding.

Gardeners’ Question Time in Carrickfergus

Followers of The Archers (the world’s oldest soap opera) will know of the excitement that is surrounding the visit of Gardeners’ Question Time to the fictional town of Ambridge. In Carrickfergus, a similar excitement is brewing with the popular Radio 4 programme being recording at Carrickfergus Town Hall on Monday 18th April 2011, the same day as The Archers broadcast!

Stephen Daye, Carrickfergus Borough Council said “I’m not sure how the Gardeners’ Question Time panel will be able to make Ambridge and Carrickfergus on the same day, but in Carrickfergus we are delighted that this event is taking place. A very limited number of tickets are available for the topical horticultural radio show and they are selling out fast."

"Tickets may be obtained from Carrickfergus Tourist Information Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 7DG. (T: 9335 8049)”

“Gardeners’ Question Time is an opportunity for the people of Carrickfergus Borough to get that practical advice from a panel of expert gardeners. The 45 minute show will contain top gardening tips, from vegetable growing to wildlife, new plants to dealing with garden pests. The seasoned experts, who may include Anne Swithinbank, Bob Flowerdew, Bunny Guinness, Chris Beardshaw, Matthew Biggs and Pippa Greenwood, will be available to answer your questions with Eric Robson in the chair.”

Gardeners’ Question Time in Carrickfergus is hosted by the Northern Ireland Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens.

Austin Herron, a mentor with the Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens and Carrickfergus allotment holder added "As a grateful and enthusiastic allotment plotholder I have always been aware of the level of interest and eagerness in gardening in the Carrickfergus Borough but the eagerness to participate has surprised even me - I think the Gardeners’ Question Time panel will need to be on their toes on the night if the toughness of the questions comes anywhere near the level of interest in the event."

Friends of Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen

Want to take a direct role in improving Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen?
The Friends of Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen is a voluntary group of local residents who want to dedicate some of their time, energy and effort to caring for and improving this green space area.
A Friends Group is a number of interested local people coming together with the aim of improving the appearance, facilities, conservation value and safety of their local park. Anyone can join and give as much or as little time as they want.
Bashfordsland Wood is Carrickfergus’s newest parks and is managed by Carrickfergus Borough Council. Oakfield Glen is managed by The Woodland trust. Representative from both organisations will be at the first meeting which takes place on Wednesday 11th May, at 7pm in Oakfield Community Centre.
For further information please contact Carrickfergus Parks & Countryside Service on 9335 8000 or email parks@carrickfergus.org

Download an application form to join the Friends of Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen