Brighter Whitehead News
Love Parks Week 2010 (24 July to 1 August)
Love Parks Week is an annual campaign to celebrated in parks and other greenspace. In Carrickfergus we have a number of events.
Shakepeare's Much Ado About Nothing: Don't miss the now annual outdoor theatre production of one of Shakepeare's finest plays, 'Much Ado About Nothing' on Saturday 24 July at Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus. Gates open Saturday: 6.30pm; Show starts 7.30pm. Admission is Free, but entry is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Don't forget to bring a picnic and dress appropriately for the outdoor weather conditions! Event Link
Alice through the Looking Glass: For the first year, this event will include a special performance of the children's classic 'Alice through the Looking Glass' on Sunday 25 July making a special afternoon out for all the family.
Gates open at Shaftesbury Park, Carrickfergus on Sunday: 2pm; Show starts 3pm. Admission is Free, but entry is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Don't forget to bring a picnic and dress appropriately for the outdoor weather conditions!Event Link
Big Moth Hunt on Tuesday 27th July (7.30 to 9pm) & Venue: Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. Join Catherine Bertrand from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and discover what moth species you can find at Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. Fun FREE event for all. FREE Butterfly ID Chart for all participants. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. This event continues the following morning at 10am to ID what has been discovered. Event Link
Moth Identification Event on Wednesday 28th July (10am) at Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Eden. Event Link
Big Butterfly Count on Wednesday 28th July (11.30am to 1pm) at Bashfordsland Wood (Meet at Oakfield Community Centre). Join Catherine Bertrand from Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and discover what species you can find at Bashfordsland Wood. Fun FREE event for all. FREE Butterfly ID Chart for all participants. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. Event Link
Seashore Safari on Saturday 31st July 2010 from 12 to 1.30pm & Meet at Blackhead Path Car Park, Whitehead. Flora and Fauna Rocks! Explore the flora, fauna and geology of Blackhead Path and shoreline. Visit the weird and wonderful habitat that exists along Blackhead Path with Geologist Ian Enlander from the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group and Botanist John Wann. Event Link.
Get Snap Happy in your Green Space Area
As the weather warms up it’s the perfect time to get out and about in your local public park. Why not grab your camera and take a winning photo whilst you’re there? ‘Postcards from the Park’ is a chance to celebrate the public parks of the UK through images that reflect their role in our every day lives. Open to everyone, the competition has been set up by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund and GreenSpace. You can also win £1,000 of Jessops vouchers simply by taking a great photo of your park. It ends along with Love Parks Week on 1st August, so take a peek at www.postcardsfromthepark.org.uk and get snapping! See our local photography competition the Virtual Flower Show organised by Carrickfergus in Bloom at www.virtualflowershow.org.
Launch of Carrickfergus in Bloom 2010 (14 April 2010)
The Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside and Amenities Sub-Committee, Alderman May Beattie, launched the Carrickfergus in Bloom 2010 campaign in the grounds of the historic Andrew Jackson Cottage. School children from throughout Carrickfergus Borough and Community representatives also joined in to the sounds of the APEX Jazz Band.
"Carrickfergus Borough Council is encouraging everyone who lives within the Borough of Carrickfergus to ‘do one more thing’ for Carrickfergus in Bloom. Whether you fill a hanging basket, enter one of the 10 competitions, plant a tree, grow some fruit and vegetables or put up bird box. There is something for everyone to do to make our Borough bloom this year.” said Alderman Beattie.
"The Council will be planting thousands of summer and spring flowering plants, hundreds hanging baskets as well as thousands of spring flowering bulbs this year. Our tree-planting initiative and the continued reduction of bedding plants in favour of more permanent planting are the ways we are enhancing the environment and biodiversity of Carrickfergus Borough for today and for tomorrow." continued Alderman Beattie
"We will again be organising the Borough-wide Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competitions. Local communities are encouraged to take part by entering the Best Kept Front Garden and Window Box Competitions. Allotment holders at Eden can enter the Best Kept Allotment Competition sponsored by Sunnybank Garden Centre. Children can take part in the Painting, Poetry, and Tallest Sunflower competitions. Local businesses will also be asked to participate by entering the Best Kept Shop and other Commercial premises section. And Web users and keen photographers can enter the Virtual Flower Show. continued Alderman Beattie
“Carrickfergus Borough Council along with the Department of Environment, Housing Executive and various Community Groups are working together to improve the beauty of Carrickfergus with the use of flowers, colourful shrubs and trees. The significant improvements at the Marine Highway is an excellent example of partnership working." ended Alderman Beattie
Mayor of Carrickfergus joins ‘One Pot Pledge’ (14 April 2010)
The Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman Patricia McKinney unveiled her mini allotment in a pot and has taken up the ‘One Pot Pledge’. The Mayor will be growing vegetables, herbs and even strawberries at the Carrickfergus Civic Centre courtyard this summer.
Alderman McKinney said "We want to encourage Carrickfergus Citizens to make the One Pot Pledge and sow, grow and harvest their own food for the very first time in 2010."
"Growing food, even on a small scale in just a pot, gives people the chance to connect with the food they eat. As well as saving money and encouraging healthier eating, growing fruit and vegetables also helps people to make more sustainable food choices."
"We are trying to promote growing your own food and vegetables, getting families and children involved and getting their hands dirty. It's a growing movement throughout the country and we're just hoping to encourage that within our Borough too."
"Carrickfergus Borough has already an excellent track record at encouraging our citizens to grow their own. The Borough is the home of the largest allotment site in Ireland and we have successfully run the Carrickfergus School Growing Clubs initiative that encourages pupils to grow and eat fruit and vegetables in their school grounds." ended Alderman McKinney.
The Mayor is not the only politician embracing the "grow your own" movement. David Cameron will be taking over Gordon Brown’s vegetable garden at Downing Street. Barack Obama has a herb and vegetable patch at the White House. And even the Queen has turned a corner of palace backyard into an allotment.
To join the campaign, go to Carrickfergus in Bloom website, http://www.carrickfergusinbloom.org/onepotpledge.htm which features growing advice and tips." At the site you can follow the Mayor’s progress and even upload your own photographs to show how your own ‘One Pot Pledge’ is growing!
Ulster in Bloom Success (10 September 2009)
The results of months of planting and pruning were recognised as the winners of the 31st Translink Ulster in Bloom competition were announced at the historic Magheramorne House near Larne. After a summer of fierce competition and intensive judging, Whitehead received a second place in the small town category. The Borough also dominated the Community Rail Halt category with Whitehead receiving the first place and Greenisland receiving the third place position. McMaster Home Farm Meats, a local business in Whitehead was also recognised in the Special Awards’ category for their beautiful floral and plant presentations. See our Gallery Section for a photo of the event.
Bill Pollock who attended the award ceremony, said “Ulster in Bloom is a magnificent opportunity for our town to enhance its surroundings and create beautiful displays that are enjoyed by everybody. Our town is renowned for its floral displays which are enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. The Brighter Whitehead initiative also plays a critical role in bringing people and investment to the town. However, it’s important to say that issues such as cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement are equally as important. In the town, the 'In Bloom' initiative is much more than bedding plants and making the town look good for one day; instead it is a 365 day initiative. Along with our partners have done a wonderful job in broadening the appeal of the Brighter Whitehead initiative, by getting people to work together we have made our town better. Our successes within Ulster in Bloom could not have happened without the generous support of local businesses and local people throughout the Borough; and statuary bodies such as Carrickfergus Borough Council, the Housing Executive and Department of Regional Development. I would like to personally thank all our volunteers that have been vital to the initiative.
Local pupils adopt a beach (08 April 2009)
The children from Whitehead Primary School took part in a clean up organised through the Translink and Ulster Wildlife Trust 'Adopt-a-Beach' initiative run as part of Translink's Biodiversity Project in partnership with the Trust, the aim is to tackle the problem of marine litter and illegal dumping on the local environment.
Volunteers learnt about the problems caused by marine litter, while also collecting and recording each type of litter they found. This information will now be sent to the Marine Conservation Society to be analysed and used to tackle sources of pollution at a UK level. It will also help with the development of an annual 'Beachwatch' report that can be used to lobby government and influence industry practices. Translink Biodiversity Officer Rose Cremin said:"Litter is a concern for many reasons, mainly because it is harmful to wildlife and unsightly. It is a year round problem that needs a year-round solution, and this scheme will really make a difference. "By getting involved in these organised beach cleans, local people are helping to combat the pollution problem and build a cleaner and healthier future for the local community."
Civic Reception for Whitehead Community (13 March 2009)
To celebrate the Silver Gilt success of Whitehead in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition, Carrickfergus Borough Council is hosting a civic reception at Whitehead Golf Club for representatives of the Whitehead community. Whitehead scooped the top environmental award in Chester on Wednesday 24th September 2008. The Britain in Bloom results followed on from the town’s success at Ulster in Bloom in which it received a first place in the small town category.
Bill Pollock said “Britain in Bloom is a magnificent opportunity for Whitehead to enhance its surroundings and create beautiful displays that are enjoyed by everybody. Our ‘in bloom’ campaign is much more than flowers and making the town look good for one day; instead it is a 365 day initiative than looks at sustainable development and biodiversity, conservation and recycling, local environmental quality, permanent landscaping, and public awareness of the environment. I would encourage everybody interested in our campaign to visit the Brighter Whitehead website (www.brighterwhitehead.co.uk) for further details on our campaign and how you can help us in 2009.”
Alderman May Beattie said “It’s fantastic that the work in Whitehead has been recognised in this way. Britain in Bloom is a very prestigious event so this is very good for Whitehead. Looking at sustaining the environment is one of the things which is key to the Council and we want to continue that.” Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer said “The Britain in Bloom Silver Gilt award is a wonderful accolade for the community in Whitehead and this is the highest award the Town has achieved so far . It is the result of much hard work and no-one should underestimate the amount of effort which has gone into this floral campaign. This success could not have happened without the generous support of local businesses and local people and schools throughout the town; and statuary bodies such as Carrickfergus Borough Council, Translink, the Housing Executive and Department of Regional Development.”
RHS director-general Inga Grimsey said ”In total, 69 finalists were selected from the 18 UK regions and nations to compete in the UK finals. The finalists all performed successfully in their local campaigns and are outstanding examples of community effort, environmental sustainability and horticultural excellence. RHS Britain in Bloom is the largest horticultural campaign in Europe. It encourages people to actively improve their local environments through cleanliness, sustainability and creative planting. “
Tree Week in Whitehead (28th November 2008)
National Tree Week 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. Over the next few years, National Tree Week will be focussing on the overall theme, ‘Trees Matter – Plant Them’. Tree Week is celebrating its 32nd Birthday this year and in Carrickfergus Borough we will be playing our part by planting more trees.
TREE PLANTING IN WHITEHEAD
Date: Friday 28th November 2008 at 2.30 p.m.
Location: Whitehead Recreation Grounds
Event details: Come along and plant some trees in the town that won a Britain in Bloom Silver Gilt award this Summer. Please wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear and please bring waterproofs. Everyone is welcome.
TREE PLANTING AT EDEN ALLOTMENTS
Date: Friday 28th November 2008 at 11.30 a.m.
Location: Eden Allotment Gardens, Beltoy Road, Carrickfergus.
Event details: Come along and plant traditional Irish apple varieties and other fruit trees at the allotments. Please wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear and please bring waterproofs. Everyone is welcome.
TREE TALK
Date: Thursday 11th December 2008 at 8pm (doors open at 7.30 p.m.)
Event organiser: Carrickfergus Borough Council / Carrickfergus Garden Society
Location: St Colemans Church Hall, Larne Road, Carrickfergus.
Event details: Patrick Cregg, Director of the Woodland Trust (NI) will deliver the talk 'Ancient Woodland Treasures Lost and Found'. Everyone is welcome.
For further Information t: 028 93358000 or e: greenspace@carrickfergus.org or visit http://www.carrickfergusinbloom.org
Whitehead Success at Britain in Bloom Awards (24th September 2008)
Whitehead is celebrating another horticultural success after achieving
a Silver Gilt award at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards, the largest horticultural
campaign in Europe. The awards ceremony, attended by over 450 gardening
enthusiasts and community champions, was held on Wednesday 24th
September 2008 at Chester Race Course, with special guest, TV gardener
Chris Beardshaw, presenting the prizes. The Silver Gilt award is our town's
highest achievement at Britain in Bloom to date, having achieved a Bronze
award last year and two Silver awards previously. A delegation representing
the town included Bill Pollock, Chairperson of Brighter Whitehead; Local
Councillors Alderman May Beattie and Councillor Isobel Day; and Stephen
Daye and Mathew Hunter from Carrickfergus Borough Council's Parks & Countryside
Service. Britain in Bloom judges Rodger Burnett & Rae Beckwith visited
our town on Wednesday 13th August 2008.
Bill Pollock from Brighter Whitehead said "I am absolutely delighted with this result. The Judges praised the enthusiasm from our town’s community and said there were lots of positive initiatives, including the town’s bedding plant displays, permanent landscaping, Railway Station and in particular the work at Beach Road Nature Reserve and the One World Garden. Britain in Bloom is a magnificent opportunity for Whitehead to enhance its surroundings and create beautiful displays that are enjoyed by everybody. Our 'in bloom' campaign is much more than flowers and making the town look good for one day; it is a 365 day initiative than looks at sustainable development and biodiversity, conservation and recycling, local environmental quality, permanent landscaping, and public awareness of the environment. I would encourage everybody interested in our campaign to visit the Brighter Whitehead website (www.brighterwhitehead.co.uk) for further details on our campaign and how you can help us in 2009.
2008 Winners of Ulster in Bloom Announced (11th September 2008)
The results of months of planting and pruning were recognised as the winners of the 30th Translink Ulster in Bloom competition were announced at the beautiful Narrow Water Castle near Warrenpoint.
After a summer of fierce competition and intensive judging, Whitehead received a second place in the small town category and Carrickfergus received a third place in the large town category. The Borough also dominated the Community Rail Halt category with Whitehead receiving the second place and Greenisland receiving the third position.
Speaking at the event Translink Chairman, Mrs Veronica Palmer OBE said, “I would like to applaud this year’s participants for the most spectacular results we have seen to date. Participants must have been inspired to work even harder to deliver results which are truly fitting for Ulster in Bloom’s 30th anniversary. “Yet again this year we have had turbulent summer weather – apparently the wettest on record since 1914 - which will have been a true test of what Ulster in Bloom represents, a sense of teamwork, community and commitment. And it is this ethos that has seen Ulster in Bloom grow year on year from its small beginnings in 1978 to the 142 entrants this year. This is the tenth consecutive year that Translink has supported Ulster in Bloom. We are very proud of this long term partnership and the positive impact the competition has had, and will continue to have on the environment across Northern Ireland. Our commitment to the competition has been solidified with the addition of the Floral Station and Community Rail Halt categories.
Chairman Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Tom McGrath, CBE NITB said, “We are delighted to offer our continued support to the Ulster in Bloom competition, and I would like to thank all of the partners involved for making it a success. This will be my final Ulster in Bloom as chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and I am proud to have been associated with this competition. For the past 30 years Ulster in Bloom has transformed towns and villages across Northern Ireland, and this year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, great achievements for us both. Visitor numbers to Northern Ireland are at a record high, over 2.1 million and Ulster in Bloom, in creating clean, tidy and florally enhanced environments, ensures visitors have a pleasant stay when they are here, and encourages them to return.”
Opening of the ‘One World Garden’ (5th September 2008)
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks Committee will officially open the ‘One World Garden’ in Whitehead today (Friday 5th September at 11.30am). The ‘One World Garden’ has been developed as a multi-cultural community garden, providing a safe and attractive environment centrally based in Whitehead. The project was devised by local community group Brighter Whitehead and part funded by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme which is managed by the East Border Region Interreg IIIA Partnership. The project was also funded by Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Bill Pollock, Chairperson of Brighter Whitehead said “Whitehead Town is representing the Borough and Northern Ireland in Britain in Bloom 2008. The theme for Britain in Bloom this year is ‘Local Roots’ and we were keen to engage with this important theme. After some discussion with local stakeholders, including the landowner Carrickfergus Borough Council, it was thought that a suitable project would be a ‘One World Garden’”. “The brief for designer, Barbara Kelso Garden Design, was simple. The ‘One World Garden’ project should be a garden with trees, plants and shrubs to represent the different cultural groups within the area. The garden was designed not only as an educational aid but more importantly to bring people together i.e. different ages, different races and different local and international cultures. The Brighter Whitehead committee is delighted to see the completion of the project but more especially to see it being enjoyed by the people who visit it. The project appears to have impressed the Britain in Bloom judges who on their recent visit applauded the creativity of the garden. We are keeping our fingers crossed when the Britain in Bloom results are announced on 24 September in Chester.”
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks Committee said “On behalf of Carrickfergus Borough Council we are delighted with the ‘One World Garden’ project. This is a welcome addition to the horticultural displays at Whitehead Recreation Grounds. The Garden has received funding from the Good Relations Sub Committee of Council which is particularly fitting given that we take pride in taking a Civic Leadership role in promoting cultural diversity and social inclusion. The Garden, to me, symbolises the ideal of many cultures and traditions co-existing in close proximity and harmony. I hope that the entire community will understand the significance of the Garden and enjoy it for many years to come.”
The designer Barbara Kelso explained “The entire garden is circular in shape, symbolizing the world. It is further divided into six sections, each section representing the six continents (excluding Antarctica) of the world; Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania and Africa. Each section has a planting bed, equal in size, this portraying equality within the world. The planting beds have an array of plants represented from each continent and posts placed on the outer boundary of each bed in a ‘wave effect’, symbolizes the oceans and seas of the world. Pathways, lead to the centre of the garden, where there is a seating area to allow people from the entire community to meet together, to sit, relax, and socialise with each other, enjoying the environment that they are in. The paving has been laid in a circular pattern, flowing smoothly around the garden, encouraging people to explore the entire garden. The level and well-proportioned hard paving areas, also allows easy access for wheelchair users. People can sit in the centre of the garden and yet there is still ample room for other people to walk around the garden.”
13th August is Britain in Bloom Judgement Day for Whitehead (5 August 2008)
Whitehead will again represent Northern Ireland in the Coastal Resort category of Britain in Bloom this year. The selection follows the success of the town at last year's Translink Ulster in Bloom competition. The 13th August is Judgement Day for Whitehead as Britain in Bloom Judges arrive to adjudicate Whitehead. Carrickfergus Borough Council along with community groups, committed individuals, the Department of the Environment and Housing Executive have been busy doing their bit to brighten up the town and make it more attractive to local citizens and visitors alike. A huge horticultural operation has been going on and thousands of plants are being tended in Whitehead’s acclaimed floral displays. See gallery for photographs of the judging.
Green waste composting helps Council Allotments (21 July 2008)
Allotment holders at Eden Allotment Gardens off Beltoy Road are delighted with the free compost supplied by Carrickfergus Borough Council via green waste collected from Borough residents. Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee explained “People ask us what we do with the green waste collected for recycling and so we are delighted to show residents that their green waste is put to good use. The Council started their green waste collection service last year and the compost made has been a real benefit to local allotment holders. The soil in the Eden area is clay-ey and so the compost will lighten it up and make an excellent mulch for feeding the plants and improving the soil structure.”
“All the green waste collected by the Council’s brown bin scheme has been taken to a site where the material is shredded and turned into compost. This process takes a few months and now that it is ready it has been used on the allotments. The compost has been used as part of the conditioning process to help prepare, fertilise and level the land ready for planting. Using the compost has helped to save money and shows how beneficial it can be to compost the material rather than simply disposing of it in a landfill site.”
“Allotment holders in Eden Allotment Gardens have been busy setting out their beds at the borough's new allotments. All 98 plots have been snapped up since the Council started allocating them in April and there is already a waiting list. We will be officially launching our new allotment gardens in Eden (off Beltoy Road) & celebrating National Allotments Week (11 to 17 August) in Carrickfergus with a Family Fun Day on Saturday 9 August, from 12 noon. The Family Fun Day is free and open to everyone and will include a vegetable barbeque, children’s games, face painting, plant sales and a vegetable juggler.”
As well as making its own compost, the Council is also keen to encourage everyone to make their own compost at home by offering compost bins for £5. To find out more about this offer, please contact Sullatober Depot on 93351192. Compost bins are also available to buy at the Family Fun Day on Saturday 9 August.
Whitehead urged to take part in Borough Community Competitions (09 July 2008)
The Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee, Alderman May Beattie has asked the Borough’s keen gardeners to enter the Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competitions. To encourage participation we are giving £1200 in prize money to the winners and runners-up, who will also be invited to a prize giving lunch in October." Alderman Beattie said "There are ten competitions including Best Kept Front Garden, Best Container Garden, Best Community Planting Scheme, Best Kept Shop, Best Kept Pub or Hotel Best Kept Commercial Premises and the Children's competitions that include the Tallest Sunflower, Painting and Poetry competitions. We also have a new Children's competitions to judge the Borough’s heaviest pumpkin” "We have been amazed by the number of applications already received in the last few weeks of the application form going out, the competition is really catching the imagination of the public. The judges are going to be kept very busy at judging time, which starts in August". "Everybody who lives within the Borough of Carrickfergus has been asked to take part in Carrickfergus in Bloom whether you fill a hanging basket or plant a trees or enter one of the ten competitions, there is something for everyone. By entering you not only brighten up your own house but you also aid our borough's entry to the Ulster in Bloom competition. To enter the competition either pick up an application at any Council premises or t: 9335 8039 or log on to the Carrickfergus in Bloom website www.carrickfergusinbloom.org
Schools celebrate National School Grounds Week (05 June 2008)
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee will help celebrate the launch of ‘National School Grounds Week’ at Acorn Primary School today by planting with pupils 3 fruit trees in the school grounds. This year’s theme for ‘National School Grounds Week’, which runs from 9 to 13 June 2008, is ‘Love your grounds’. So why love your school grounds? School grounds are at the heart of the school. They are vital for learning and discovery, physical health, social confidence, emotional well-being, community engagement and sustainability. Alderman Beattie said "Carrickfergus Borough Council is an enthusiastic supporter of the outdoors as an educational environment and recognises the vital opportunities for learning and discovery offered by school grounds. School grounds give children valuable opportunities for playing and learning, and we are committed to helping schools make the most of the outdoors with our Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative 'Carrickfergus Schools Growing Clubs'. The initiative provides schools in the Borough with grants to set up or improving an existing gardening club and linking this with a healthier eating and lifestyle message to pupils.” "Carrickfergus Schools Growing Clubs gives pupils the opportunity to plan, sow, tend and harvest a range of fruits and vegetables at school. It extends pupils' understanding of food chain issues by bringing the process directly under their control. Whether the club is run as part of the formal school curriculum, or as an extra-curricular activity, it should be seen as a vital teaching and learning experience for pupils.” “The Growing Club also makes use of the school grounds, which are additional learning spaces at school. It provides an area of interest for the entire school community and can be shown to guests and visitors as a key feature of the school. In addition, it provides an ideal vehicle to promote healthier eating and drinking messages for pupils. In time, the Growing Club will also produce a number of crops which can be eaten in school, perhaps in the school tuck shop or cookery club.” continued Alderman Beattie
Launch of 2008 'in Bloom' Campaign (16th May 2008)
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee helped launch the Borough's 2008 'in Bloom' campaign in the grounds of the historic Andrew Jackson Cottage on Friday 16th May. Ably helped by school children from throughout the Borough and the APEX Jazz Band. Carrickfergus Borough Council along with the Department of Environment, Housing Executive and various Community Groups are joining together to improve the beauty of Carrickfergus 365 days a year; with the use of flowers, colourful shrubs, trees and attractive street furniture. We encourage shops, businesses, and individuals to brighten up their properties by placing hanging baskets, window boxes, and by generally tidying up their location. This year’s Carrickfergus in Bloom theme is ‘Local Roots’. Whether it’s a spot of gardening, cheering up flowerbeds, cleaning and greening up streets or starting a larger project for local regeneration, Carrickfergus in Bloom can help to bring communities together and make a real difference where you live.” In Whitehead this year the Council along with local community group ‘Brighter Whitehead’ we will be building a ‘One World Garden’ to celebrate the ‘Local Roots’ theme. The ‘One World Garden’ is a multi-cultural community garden, providing a safe and attractive environment centrally based in the town. It will include plants that represent the different cultural groups within the area. The garden will be completed in June.
Funding announced for 'One World Garden' (21 March 2008)
Brighter Whitehead has secured funding from Carrickfergus Council's Good Relations Service for a 'One World Garden'. Bill Pollock explained "The theme for Britain in Bloom this year is ‘Local Roots’ and we would like to engage with this important theme. After some discussion with local stakeholders it was thought that a suitable project would be a ‘One World Garden’. This ‘One World Garden’ will include plants that represent the different cultural groups within the town. The garden will be designed not only as an educational aid but more importantly to bring people together i.e. different ages, different races and different local and international cultures. The garden will be located in the Recreation Grounds at Chester Avenue and will be completed in May 2008. To download the plan click here
Spring into Action (20 March 2008)
Put the spring back into your step this month and volunteer! People across Carrickfergus Borough can make a real impact by volunteering to help conserve the environment this Spring and throughout the year. Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer at Carrickfergus Borough Council and Carrickfergus in Bloom Co-ordinator said “Come springtime, we all want to be outside; it's a lovely time of the year to appreciate green spaces. And if you want to help your environment, locally is a great place to start.” “In Carrickfergus Borough we are blessed with many community groups that do tremendous work to improve their environment. Whether you live in Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Eden or Whitehead a group could do with your help or you can contact Carrickfergus in Bloom about starting up a group within your own locality.“ Bill Pollock a volunteer with Brighter Whitehead said “Volunteering sounds very worthy, but once you actually start doing it and get involved, especially if it's something near to your community, you get to know people you wouldn't normally come across and you get so much more out of it than you think you're going to. You make new friends, you get a sense of achievement and at the same time you're making a huge difference to the area that you're in.” “The other great thing is that anybody can volunteer - you don't need to be qualified, you haven't got to be fully able. Basically, you've just got to have the get up and go to want to get involved. Whether it's weeding or making the tea, everybody has something to give.” ended Bill. To take part in a community project within the Borough or start up a new group contact Stephen Daye, at Carrickfergus Borough Council, Civic Centre, Antrim Street, Carrickfergus. T: 9335 8039 or inbloom@carrickfergus.org or www.carrickfergusinbloom.org
Civic Reception for Whitehead Community (15 February 2008)
To celebrate the success of Whitehead in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition, Carrickfergus Borough Council hosted a civic reception at Whitehead Golf Club on 15 February 2008 for representatives of the Whitehead community. Whitehead scooped the top environmental award at Coventry Cathedral on Wednesday 26th September. The Britain in Bloom results followed on from the town’s success at Ulster in Bloom in which it received a first place in the small town category. Alderman May Beattie said “It’s fantastic that the work in Whitehead has been recognised in this way. Britain in Bloom is a very prestigious event so this is very good for Whitehead. Looking at sustaining the environment is one of the things which is key to the Council and we want to continue that.”
Walk on the Wild Side in Whitehead (15 February 2008)
Children from Whitehead Primary School in Northern Ireland have been learning how to welcome wildlife into their gardens throughout the winter. Whether the weather is fine or whether the weather is not, furry and feathered friends may well need a little extra help to survive the season and local youngsters have proved keen to lend a hand. They welcomed a real live hedgehog into their classroom as part of an innovative natural learning experience organized under the Carrickfergus In Bloom Blooming Wild banner. The Blooming Wild! campaign has been designed to encourage everyone to do at least one thing to help support wildlife in their gardens. The campaign recognizes that local wildlife habitats are increasingly under threat and that every garden, big or small, could be a potential mini nature reserve. From small, simple changes such as putting up a nest box to larger projects such as building a wildlife pond, we can all make a contribution to securing the future of our local wildlife. The Blooming Wild! Campaign isn’t restricted to schoolchildren. It aims to increase everyone’s knowledge of biodiversity issues within the Borough.
Joanna Lumley announces ‘Postcards from the Park’ competition winner
A photo of Whitehead Recreation Grounds was chosen as regional winner of the nationwide ‘Postcards from the Park’ photo competition which was set up to celebrate lottery investment in parks. The winning photographer, Alex Kane, received the news in person from Joanna Lumley at the exhibition launch at Mile End Park Arts Pavilion in London. The stunning black and white photo, highly impressed the judges who included celebrated photographer Mike McCartney (brother of Paul) and Damien Demolder, editor of Amateur Photographer Magazine. ‘Postcards from the Park’ was launched by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG), with parks charity, GreenSpace. Joanna Lumley, actress and Patron of Mile End Park, said: "Parks are among the UK's most treasured features and the ‘Postcards from the Park’ competition was a great way of celebrating that fact.” For more information about the exhibition please call the HLF on 0207 592 6102. Click here to preview images from the exhibition.
Wild Week (25th October 2007)
To meet the ever-growing interest in wildlife, and to coincide with the new landmark series The Nature of Britain, Carrickfergus Borough Council is joining forces with the Conservation Volunteers to organise a ‘Wild Week’ event in Windsor Play Park, Whitehead on Thursday 25th October (1 to 3pm). ‘Wild Week’ is a nation campaign that runs between 22-28 October. ‘Wild Week’ will complement the Carrickfergus in Bloom campaign ‘Blooming Wild!’. Blooming Wild! is a local campaign to encourage people to do one more thing for wildlife in their gardens. Find out more about ‘Wild Week’ and ‘Blooming Wild!’.
Blackhead Path Beach Clean-Up (15 September 2007)
A Blackhead Path beach clean-up has been organised for Saturday 15th September from 4pm to 5pm. Meet at the Blackhead Path car park to help clean up and survey our coastline. This is part of a UK wide beach clean-up and litter survey organised by the Marine Conservation Society - the UK charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife.
Whitehead success at Ulster in Bloom (4th September 2007)
The visits are over, the votes have been cast, and the Judges have made their final decisions. The results of the 29th Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition are in! And it proved to be a blooming marvellous summer for our town’s green-fingered gardeners as they turned up the flower power to win three category’s in this year’s competition. Whitehead have triumphed again! The results announced today (04 September) at Tullylagan Country Hotel in Cookstown are as follows:
Small Town – 1st – Whitehead
Best Station Award – 3rd – Whitehead Rail Station
Community Rail Halt Award – Whitehead Station
Judgement Day for Whitehead as Judges Arrive (09 August 2007)
Whitehead again represented Northern Ireland in the Coastal Resort category of Britain in Bloom this year. The judges arrived on 9th August 2007, in what Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee called "Judgement Day for Whitehead". In the town a huge horticultural operation has been going on and thousands of plants are being tended in Whitehead's acclaimed floral displays. The Judges are two highly-qualified horticulturalists Jim Buttress & Sue Wood. They were accompanied around the town by Alderman May Beattie (Chairperson of Brighter Borough), Bob Pollock (Chairperson of Brighter Whitehead), Stephen Daye (Parks & Countryside Development Officer) and Matt Hunter (Parks & Countryside Operations Officer). Before judging Jim Buttress & Sue Wood meet the many groups that work in partnership with CBC including sponsors at a reception in Whitehead Golf Club. In September, the results will be announced in Coventry, Bill Pollock will represent Brighter Whitehead at the event.
Big Thanks to Cannon Motors (31 July 2007)
Local Hyundai dealer Cannon Motors Limited, (Belfast Road, Carrickfergus) have agreed to sponsor our transport via the loan of the Hyundai Santa Fe for the Britain in Bloom judging on Thursday 9th August.