Calling All Crafters

In May 2015 Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead was transformed into a ‘Woollen Wonderland’, featuring hundreds of woodland-themed woollen artworks which were created by schools, knitting groups and individuals all over Northern Ireland, and subsequently became the first Woollen Wood in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The project was hugely popular and Diamond Jubilee Wood will be transformed again this May with the grand opening scheduled for Saturday 7th May.

Last year our theme was apple blossom to celebrate the community orchard in Diamond Jubilee Wood and we had over 50 private donations from crafty individuals across the country. This year Woollen Woods is back, bigger and better than ever, so we would love more donations! All donations received will be installed in the woodland for our grand opening event and will be on display all summer The theme this year is ‘hedgehogs’ as Woollen Wood’s grand opening falls within Hedgehog Awareness Week. Hedgehogs are in decline and one of the main reasons is loss of habitat and Diamond Jubilee Wood is already a haven for hedgehogs, as well as many other birds, insects, frogs and mammals. 

With that being said, although we would love people to knit a hedgehog, we will also gladly accept bats, birds, flowers, and anything woodland themed… in the Woollen Woods the thing that matters most is your imagination!

Donations should be sent to: Lighthouse Yarns, 12 Edward Rd, Whitehead, Co. Antrim, BT38 9QB. The deadline for donations is 30 April 2016.

There will be a range of craft workshops throughout the Borough in the lead up the the grand opening for those wishing to come along and make a woollen creation for the wood. Details to follow.

'Friends Of' March Task

Pictured: Friends Of Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen, Saturday 12th March, removing excess vegetation, including curly pond weed which is an invasive species that forms dense mats that inhibit native species, from one of the ponds in Bashfordsland Wood. 

Next meeting: Saturday 9th April 2016, Oakfield Community Centre at 10am.

Hedgelaying workshop

Final hedgelaying workshop of the season at Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead on Saturday 27th Feb 2016.  

Pictured are of some of our hedgelayers who came along to learn this ancient skill. Thanks to all involved!

Woollen Woods nominated for Epic Awards

In May last year Diamond Jubilee Wood was transformed into a ‘Woollen Wonderland’ featuring  hundreds of woodland-themed woollen artworks which were created by schools, knitting groups and individuals all over Northern Ireland, a collaboration between Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Lighthouse Yarns and Voluntary Arts Ireland. Diamond Jubilee Wood subsequently became the first Woollen Wood in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The project has now been nominated for the prestigious 2016 Epic Awards.The winners and runner ups will be chosen by a panel of judges, but there is an additional People's Choice Award where the public can choose their favourite of the shortlisted groups.

To vote, click the image below and vote for Woollen Woods Whitehead. Voting is open until 5pm on Wednesday 23 March.

Last Hedgelayers Standing

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council held a hedgelaying workshop at Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead  on Saturday 20^th Feb. 

Some keen participants stayed all day, some for a few hours.

We will be hedgelaying again this Saturday 27^th Feb, 11am - 4pm. You can arrive and leave as you like, you don’t have to stay for the full 5 hours!

 Hedgelaying is an ancient land management technique, why not come along and learn a new practical skill?

Hedgelaying workshops

Hedgelaying is a traditional land management technique. A well-managed hedgerow is an impenetrable barrier to sheep and cattle and a haven for a range of wildlife including birds, insects and frogs.

Would you like to learn this practical skill? Then come along to one of our hedgelaying workshops at Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead on Saturday 20^th and Saturday 27^th February.

Our experts will be on site from 11am until 4pm, but you don’t need to stay all day, just arrive and leave as you like.

 

Hearty Walk on Valentines Day

The last of our Hearty Winter Walks took place on Sunday 14th February. Attendees walked through some of our fantastic green spaces - Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus Mill Ponds and along Marine Highway, before warming up with tea and coffee in Marine Gardens.