Hostel celebrates 100th anniversary of hostelling

Local District Councillors William John Graham and Andrew Price McConaghy joined in the celebrations together with HINI local volunteers and pupils from Bushmills Primary School for the special tree planting and the release of 100 helium balloons to mark the anniversary.

The pupils wrote special messages on the card labels attached to the balloons and after a count down, everyone sent off 100 balloons into the sky. The lucky people who find the balloons and return the labels will be entered into a prize draw to win two nights bed and breakfast's at Mill Rest Youth Hostel.

Paddy McAteer commented: "I'm pleased at the attendance of the local school pupils and also the presence of the Moyle District Council's Chairperson and others for their support. I look forward to a successful future for the youth hostel movement which is now the largest youth travel organisation in the world, linking all colour and creeds".

The tree planting is part of a wider scheme promoted by YHA England & Wales. They have encouraged youth hostelling throughout the United Kingdom and have sponsored the planting of 100 trees to celebrate a successful 100 years of hostelling. Later on in the year, two more trees will be planted at HINI youth hostels at Whitepark Bay and Armagh City.