Royal visit: Duke talks eco matters with Carrick pupils

Ulidia Integrated College was represented when HRH The Duke of Gloucester toured Forge Integrated Primary School, Belfast, to see what the young people have been growing in their eco-gardens.

With food waste and food miles an ever more evident environmental problem, the pupils at Forge Integrated have been growing their own vegetables including cabbages, peas, carrots and onions and studying ways to make their own organic compost, control pests and encourage pollinators to move into their bug-hotel.

The Duke also had the opportunity to talk to green-fingered pupils from Ulidia about what they have been growing at school and how they are taking action to protect the environment.

November saw 100 International Eco-Schools Operators from 54 countries gather in Belfast to discuss the ongoing development of the programme for the benefit of young people and our environment globally. The itinerary included a visit to Ulidia, which is an Ambassador Eco-School.

The Eco-Schools Programme is operated in the province by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.