Celebrating the Heritage of the Hedgerow
23 February 2013
The heritage of the hedgerow was being celebrated with a special hedgerow planting day on Saturday 23rd February 2013 at Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood in County Antrim.
The free fun event is part of the Hedgerow Hopes Project which is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund (www.hlf.org.uk), 'Your Heritage Programme."
Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks, Countryside and Amenities Sub-Committee said "The aim of the 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."
"This event which concentrated on hedgerow planting and was an opportunity to find out what wildlife our native hedges support and why they are one of nature's greatest assets. 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 organising a number of events and training workshops and I would encourage everyone to get involved in the Hedgerow Hopes Project. For further information contact the Council's Parks & Countryside Service on 9335 8000 or email parks@carrickfergus.org." ended Alderman Beattie.
Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood can be accessed via Bentra Golf Course car park. For further information on Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood visit the webpage www.carrickfergus.org/jubileewood. There you will find information on the location, facilities and how to join the Diamond Jubilee Wood Friends Group.
The HLF 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
For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye - Parks & Countryside Development Officer
Telephone: 028 9335 8000
E-Mail: parks@carrickfergus.org
