Helping Glenarm to fully blossom this summer

Glenarm Village Improvement Committee held a community information evening in Seaview Primary School with Lindsay McManamon from Conservation Volunteers Ni as keynote speaker.

Glenarm is one of Larne Borough Council entries in this years Ulster in Bloom competition which will be judged mid July and plans are afoot for the preparations involving tidy-ups, creating new tubs and planting them to place around village, using flowers including edible flowers and vegetables in some planters that anyone can take and use when ready as well as painting improvements and artistic ideas.

Ms McManamon, through her presentation, shared her experiences gained working with the Green Gym project where communities were turned around by being involved in tidying up neglected and overgrown areas within their neighbourhood.

The Green Gym engages communities in identifying the problems and finding the solutions. Providing the appropriate support and training, and equips people with knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their vision of a better environment.

The Green Gym also promotes a positive health message, creating a safe environment for people to exercise - without exercising in the traditional sense of the word. Building in a healthy eating message and direct involvement in creating herb beds and fruit and vegetable gardens, a complete health message is portrayed to participants.

Denis McBride also addressed the meeting giving an overview of art work by children from the playgroup, school and youth groups that could be used to brighten up dilapidated areas of the village. He highlighted the need for areas to encourage wildlife such as butterflies, bees and moths.

Group co-ordinator Francis Wilson said: “We are delighted that Glenarm has been entered in this years Ulster in Bloom by Larne Borough Council. We are pleased to see so many people have turned out to offer their help in getting the village ready for the competition.

“This is a great way of getting everyone working together and finding out the skills and talents we have hidden within out community. Residents, young and old, churches, organisations, groups and local businesses have all offered their services and in some cases, have made generous donations to help us make our village appear at its best.”

If anyone would like to volunteer their services, skills, talent or time, to help us move the project forward please contact Frances for further information on 028 2884 1338.

Related topics: