Free Composting Demonstration at Eden Allotments

Carrickfergus Borough Council will be hosting a free composting demonstration and workshop on Saturday 5th May 2012 from 11am to 4pm at Eden Allotment Gardens.

The demonstration and workshop is part of the Department of the Environment’s (DOE’s) Rethink Waste campaign. Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland will be carrying out the demonstration and will have their mobile “Green Machine” and displays to highlight suitable materials for home composting. The interactive session will also provide the opportunity to make a small demonstration composter using recycled plastic bottles which you can then take home.

Up to a quarter of the average household waste is organic which means that it could be turned in to compost. Every day items from vegetable peelings, egg shells and tea bags to animal bedding and even the contents of the vacuum cleaner - all can go towards making nutritious compost. Garden waste such as grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings, weeds, twigs and small branches (cut into pieces) can also be composted at home in a composter or compost heap.

Speaking on the initiative Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “Composting is a win-win solution for the environment and for your pocket. The production of nutritious compost essentially allows you to feed your garden for free. Compost helps your flower beds and vegetable plots thrive and cuts down on the amount of waste going to landfill.

“Reducing waste to landfill is something we all have an interest in as failure to meet landfill targets could result in fines totalling £500,000 per day. I encourage everyone – whether a seasoned composter or someone just thinking about starting, to go along to this free demonstration.”

Jean Stewart from Carrickfergus Borough Council said: “The Council is delighted to be able to host this free composting demonstration and workshop for our residents. Composting returns vital organic matter and nutrients to the soil and it reduces the amount of landfilled waste, the production of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases. Over the last year through recycling and composting the Council has diverted tonnes of waste from landfill saving local rate payers a considerable amount of money”.

“Those attending the event have an opportunity to win prizes including a top of the range composter. Alternatively compost bins can be purchased from Sullatober Depot, 10 Marshallstown Road, Carrickfergus BT38 9DE for a cost of £15 or alternatively you can send a cheque to the value of £20 (made out to Carrickfergus Borough Council) to Carrickfergus Town Hall and a Compost Bin will be delivered to your property.” Jean concluded.

For further information on how you can reduce, reuse and recycle log on to www.rethinkwasteni.org. For information on recycling in your area please contact Jean Stewart on 028 9335 1192 or visit the Council website at www.carrickfergus.org/recycling.

James McCambridge with Jean Stewart and Jennifer Smyth from Carrickfergus Borough Council

CVNI helping out at the Composting Day at Eden Allotments



Bug Hunt Photos

On Saturday 28th April young people from throughout the Borough and beyond took part in a bug and beastie hunt. The event took place at Northern Ireland’s only Diamond Jubilee Wood. At the Whitehead venue, the young wildlife enthusiasts took part in bug identifications and pond dipping with beetles, Small White butterfly and Water Boatmen being some of the insects identified.

At the Art Table – Sophia Yohanis, Corey Yohanis & Eden Adams

Pond Dipping – Mathew Kane & Charlotte Surgenor

At the Pond – Arran Greer, Hollie Greer & Skye Greer

Council spokesperson, Stephen Daye said “This event was a perfect opportunity to preview the Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood, which opens in June. The new 60 acre woodland has been created to celebrate the Queen's historic 2012 Diamond Jubilee. In the woodland we have planted 60,000 native trees, mostly oak and ash; and created a 1000sm pond and an extensive 2km path network to ensure visitors can view the extent of the site.  In addition, a majestic Commonwealth tree-lined avenue has pride of place with 54 copper beech trees representing the 54 countries within the Commonwealth. We have also in place a new art structure designed by artist Kevin Killen and pupils from Whitehead Primary School.”

Big Jubilee Bug Hunt this Saturday

Celebrate the Queen's historic 2012 Diamond Jubilee on Saturday 28th April from 11am to 1pm at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood with a Bug and Beastie Hunt with Pond Dipping and the Green Machine on site plus lots of other environmental activities at this fun outdoor event for all the family. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pedestrian entrance and car parking at Bentra Golf Course.

New Art Piece Installed in Diamond Jubilee Wood

A new art piece has been installed at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood. The art piece was designed by artist Kevin Killen and local school children from Whitehead Primary School. The art piece was funded by Grow South Antrim and The Woodland Trust.

60,000 Trees Planted

The last remaining trees were planted at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood just before Easter. That brings a total of 60,000 trees planted at the new woodland. Members of the Northern Ireland Conservation Volunteers (CVNI) and local people came out for the last tree planting day of the year.

Whitehead Diamond Begins to Sparkle

The ‘Diamond Wood’ at Whitehead is glowing with life thanks to the hard work of nature lovers from throughout Northern Ireland. School children, local people and visitors transformed the landscape by planting thousands of trees during a week-long series of events in celebration of the Queen’s historic Diamond Jubilee.

Whitehead's new wood is the result of a partnership between the Woodland Trust and proud owner Carrickfergus Borough Council; and is one of 60 Diamond Woods springing to life across the UK as part of the Trust's ambitious Jubilee Woods project.

The Northern Ireland gem will be home to 60,000 native saplings, mostly oak and ash. In addition, a majestic tree-lined avenue already has pride of place: 54 copper beech trees represent the 54 countries within the Commonwealth and extend a warm leafy welcome to all. The 'Commonwealth Tree Avenue' was planted by the Housing Executive's Housing Community Network as part of its work to promote good race relations across Northern Ireland.

Patrick Cregg, director of the Woodland Trust, said: "We're extremely grateful to Carrickfergus Borough Council for making this land available. And we're heartened by the enthusiasm of the children and adults who rolled their sleeves up to get the tree planting underway. It's a wonderful way to mark the Queen's 60-year reign, while making a meaningful contribution to the environment."

The Mayor of Carrickfergus Borough Council, Alderman Jim McClurg, added: "Thanks to collective efforts we have the beginning of a fantastic natural resource. This new woodland will provide a much-needed habitat for wildlife and will be a lasting legacy for future generations. We hope that everyone - local people and visitors from further afield - will take time to explore and enjoy this quiet corner of nature."

Plant Your Tree for the Jubilee

Nature lovers are invited to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by making a personal and lasting contribution to the environment. Mark this historic event by rolling up your sleeves to plant trees at Northern Ireland’s new ‘Diamond Wood’, just outside Whitehead, on Saturday 25 February from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Tree planting, arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting and archery are just some of the activities on a brimming woodland agenda – and all free of charge.

The Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods project aims to involve millions of people in planting six million trees throughout the UK. At the core of the project will be the creation of 60 special Diamond Woods – each at least 60 acres in size.

Land on the doorstep of the seaside village of Whitehead has been chosen as the venue for Northern Ireland’s Diamond Wood. This jewel in the crown is the result of a joint partnership between the Trust and owner Carrickfergus Borough Council, and is funded by Forest Service and GROW under the NI Rural Development Programme.

Patrick Cregg, the Trust’s director, says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Queen’s 60-year reign while making a meaningful contribution to the landscape. This February - the anniversary of the accession to the throne - will see mass tree planting right throughout the UK. We’ve a target to plant 60,000 native saplings here at Whitehead, and we hope that individuals and groups will help get things off to a flying start.”

The Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman Jim McClurg, adds: “We want as many people as possible - local people and visitors - to join us. And with a wealth of fun activities on offer, it’s an unmissable day for everyone. This new wood will be a fantastic natural resource, a haven for wildlife, and a living legacy for future generations.”
 
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