Nature lovers are invited to don walking boots for a free fun-packed afternoon. Newtownabbey’s Carnmoney Hill is the venue and Saturday 9 April, from 12 to 4pm, is the date for your spring diary.
The Woodland Trust, in partnership with Newtownabbey Borough Council, is offering a wealth of fun woodland activities for all the family.
Face painting, arts and crafts, guided walks, and bird identification with expert Dot Blakely are part of a brimming agenda. A storyteller will transport young minds on a magical journey, while grown-ups can relax with a free ‘tai chi in the woods’ session. And, guaranteed to put a spring in any step, there’s a special opportunity to learn the art of samba drumming.
For the first 200 people a complimentary hog roast, with salads and rolls, is on offer. Alternatively, why not bring your own picnic and make a day of it.
Carnmoney Hill is a green oasis of grassland, wetland and woodland – both ancient woodland and new planting. Thanks to grant-aid and the support of local people, the Woodland Trust has planted over 60,000 native trees, providing an extended haunt for the Hill’s precious wildlife.
Recent funding from Biffaward has seen a facelift in the form of new and improved pathways, offering local people and visitors the chance to explore and enjoy the full beauty of Carnmoney Hill.
Patrick Cregg, director of the Woodland Trust, says: “Carnmoney Hill, with its mix of habitats, is a real honey-pot for wildlife. With recent works now complete, we’re giving people the chance to discover this natural landmark.
“We’re offering a fantastic range of fun activities, all with a woodland theme; and we really hope that visitors will be inspired to return to Carnmoney Hill in the future.”
This event is part of the Trust’s ‘More Trees, More Good’ campaign and has been made possible thanks to support from Biffaward, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Everyone is welcome; however children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Start your woodland adventure at Rathfern Community Centre, Knockenagh Avenue, off the O’Neill Road. For further details, email michellemccaughtry@woodlandtrust.org.uk or call 028 9127 5787.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email kayecoates@woodlandtrust.org.uk or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; email media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 51 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (that’s land continuously wooded since at least 1600). We have recently produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at www.backonthemap.org.uk