School children help give alley bright new look

Pupils from Carnmoney Primary School's Eco Council are pictured with Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Fraser Agnew, Councillor Victor Robinson, Rev John Dickinson, teacher Miss Bannon, local artist Michael Dunn and school principal Mr Brian Duff at Asher's Lane/Alleyway. INNT 28-027-PSB

Having been awarded the prestigious green flag by Eco-Schools in 2012, this year the children decided to ‘clean up their act’ through seven days of action during June.

The initiative involved a series of activities including healthy eating projects, keep fit sessions and clean-ups.

As part of their efforts, pupils from the school’s Eco Council wrote to the Mayor highlighting the state of the alleyway which runs between Carnmoney Road and Carnhill Road.

They then met with the Mayor and the council’s Recycling Manager Lisa Mayne at the pedestrian route, known locally as Asher’s Lane or Asher’s Alleyway, to discuss what could be done to improve it.

Staff and pupils from the school, with help from council workers and local people, cleaned up the laneway. And with the help of artist Michael Dunn, they gave the area a new look with a splash of paint and some decorative murals.

Principal Brian Duff thanked everyone who helped the children with the project, particularly Lawrence Scott from the Hill Tavern and the owners of Abbey Autos who gave their permission for the walls to be painted.

“We are very proud of our achievements; we hope that the vandals leave it alone and that the community enjoy walking through the lane for years to come,” he said.