Carrickfergus Borough Celebrates the Hedgerow
20 October 2012
Carrickfergus Borough will be celebrating the heritage of the hedgerow with the launch of the Hedgerow Hopes Project in Carrickfergus Borough which takes place on Saturday 20th October from 10am to 12noon at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood.
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside and Amenities Sub-Committee said "The aim of Hedgerow Hopes Project is to engage with a wide range of people to restore and enhance species-rich hedgerows in the Borough for the benefit of our local heritage and biodiversity by delivering practical training workshops in foraging, hedgerow planting, maintenance and laying."
"The launch event is an opportunity to find out what wildlife our native hedges support and why they are one of nature's greatest assets. Activities at the Hedgerow Hopes launch event include a Bug Hunt, Jam Making, Wild Food Forage, Hedgerow Planting and Laying, Face Painting, Fun Games and much more."
"If you have ever wondered which berries are edible, when to pick them or what to cook with them, then this event is for you?"
"Species-rich hedgerows are important to us as well as to our wildlife. They are of historical importance often marking townland or estate boundaries. They also provide colour, shelter and food; act as stock barriers, and prevent soil erosion."
"Unfortunately, many of our native hedgerows have lost a lot of these benefits due to neglect or mismanagement. So, we've teamed up with Antrim, Belfast and Newtownabbey Councils to restore and enhance the hedgerows in our area. "
"You can play your part too. We want people to get involved to help restore and manage these habitats. We'll provide you with training to help you develop skills required to support the restoration programme."
"Over the next two years we will be running foraging events and training workshops in autumn and winter. To get involved in the Hedgerow Hopes Project, or for further information contact the Council's Parks & Countryside Service on 9335 8000 or email parks@carrickfergus.org." ended Alderman Beattie.
You can access Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood via the pedestrian entrance at Bentra Golf Course car park. See the Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood webpage www.carrickfergus.org/jubileewood for further details on the venues location, facilities or to join the Diamond Jubilee Wood Friends Group.
The Hedgerow Hopes project is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, 'Your Heritage Programme' in partnership with Antrim, Carrickfergus, Belfast and Newtownabbey Councils.
The Your Heritage programme offers grants between £3,000 and £100,000 inclusive for projects that relate to the local, regional or national heritage of the UK. The Heritage Lottery Fund welcomes applications that help people to learn about, look after and celebrate heritage in a fun and enjoyable way. To receive a grant the project must: help people to learn about their own and other people's heritage; conserve the UK's diverse heritage for present and future generations to experience and enjoy and/or help more people, and a wider range of people, to take an active part in and make decisions about heritage. Details of the programme can be found at www.hlf.org.uk or phone 028 9031 0120 email: northernireland@hlf.org.uk.
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For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer.
Telephone: 028 9335 8000
E-Mail: parks@carrickfergus.org
