Volunteers praised for Newtownabbey planting initiatives

Residents took part in the green-fingered project in a number of areas including Rush Park, Whiteabbey and Glengormley.

Flowers were planted in Rush Park by members of Listening Ear and Cloughfern Orange district LOL 24. In Whiteabbey they were planted by local residents in association with Whiteabbey Village Business Association.

Praising the community effort, Cllr Robert Foster said: “In a time when we are faced with constant struggles through our society, it is voluntary groups like the ones involvesd in the planting schemes who are stepping up to the plate to assist their communities on so many fronts.

“I am extremely proud to work with so many groups across Macedon who are making a difference on a daily basis and who’s efforts within the community can go unnoticed and can be taken for granted. The community owe these volunteers a great deal of gratitude for their unbending service.”

Commenting on the initiative, a spokesperson for Whiteabbey Village Business Association said: “We wanted to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers who came together on Monday and planted over 6,000 plants into the flower beds in the village.

“This shows us all the great community spirit we have in Whiteabbey. Also thanks to the guys in the Parks Department for all of their hard work getting the plants to us and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for supplying all of the plants.

“The Whiteabbey Village Business Association was proud to organise this and hopefully as the years go by, we will work to help improve more areas within the village.”

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