Oakfield pupils planting apple trees at Bashfordsland Wood
22 February 2011
Schoolchildren in Carrickfergus, one of Ulster’s most historic plantation towns, will help complete a modern ‘plantation’ next week.
The young people from Oakfield Primary School planted apple trees with the Mayor of Carrickfergus, Alderman Jim McClurg in Bashfordsland Wood. This is the final part of a ten year scheme which has seen 100,000 native Irish trees planted across the Borough. As they dig, they’ll be getting valuable lessons about the environment, healthy eating, exercise and gardening … as well as having some outdoor fun!
The project which was driven by Carrickfergus Borough Council with the support of The Woodland Trust is being completed in time for Climate Week 2011 (21 to 27 March). Stephen Daye, the Council’s Parks & Countryside Development Officer, says, "Planting trees is a simple yet hugely effective way to improve our environment and a great contribution to combating climate change. As the children will learn, too much carbon dioxide is contributing to climate change, but planting trees can help combat that problem because the trees turn carbon dioxide into oxygen through the natural process of photosynthesis. The more trees there are, the more carbon dioxide is changed into oxygen which is great news for all of us. That’s the science bit, but you don’t need to be a scientist to know that tree planting creates a more attractive environment for all of us to enjoy. The trees the children will plant have an added advantage, for they will eventually give them a harvest of apples.
"The Council, has tackled tree planting on a grand scale with 100,000 trees planted across the Borough of Carrickfergus since 2000, but this is an environmental improvement scheme which everyone can emulate, albeit at a more modest level. Even planting just one tree is a great way to mark UK Climate Week."
There will be an opportunity for the public to share in the celebrations to mark the greening of Carrickfergus on Saturday 26th February 2011 (from 12.00noon to 4pm ) at Bashfordsland Wood (Red Fort Drive, Carrickfergus) when a Family Fun Day will mark the latest investment in the wood - a £28,000 grant from BIFFA Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.
The day offers a variety of special activities including face painting, storytelling, samba drumming, guided walks, willow weaving and arts and crafts adding to the natural attractions of what is Carrickfergus Borough’s newest public park. Funding from BIFFA has already transformed the 12.6 hectares of natural parkland and the latest phase of investment has improved its entrance.
Patrick Cregg from the Woodland Trust, partners in the Bashfordsland Wood venture, said “We are delighted to be working closely with Carrickfergus Borough Council & the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to deliver this exciting event at Bashfordsland providing the opportunity for everyone to celebrate this marvellous woodland together. This new extension to the park will be a welcome addition to the green space of Carrickfergus. As the park joins the Woodland Trust managed Oakfield Glen via a path this will be of great benefit to local people and we expect to see many new users at Oakfield Glen.”
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For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer
Telephone: 028 9335 8000
E-Mail: parks@carrickfergus.org
