May Day Event at Portglenone Forest 4th May 2009
Our Forest, Your Forest, Everybody’s Forest
In Portglenone Forest at this time of year it is a joy to see the most spectacular display of bluebells in Northern Ireland. We have paths wandering through 25 acres of bluebell - that’s about 60 million flowers. There are also acres of other wild flowers such as wood anemone, wild garlic, pink campion, celandine, violets, primroses, speedwell, purple orchids, bugle and lords and ladies.
Throughout the day there will be stalls and information on the green.
- The Forest Service trailer will be there with information about the animals in the forest and other forests to visit.
- G.L.O.W. (Green Life of Work) will be displaying information about the environmental work done in the community by volunteers. Some produce from their poly tunnel will be on sale.
- Ballynease Primary School will be displaying work on their ‘Tree of Life’ Project.
- The North West Mountain Rescue Team will be there demonstrating what is needed to rescue people in difficulty
- The Glens Red Squirrel Group will have information about helping the native Red Squirrel to survive.
Down by the River Bann the Pirate Ship will be docking at the new jetty. For a bag of gold (or £3) the bold pirates will welcome you aboard for a sail down the river.
- Come and learn more about Portglenone Forest. Forest Service Guides will be there to tell you about the history and management of the forest. There will be information about the types of trees in the forest, and the animals and birds in the forest.
- Come and enjoy Portglenone Forest. Walk the dog, feed the ducks, have a picnic. Build a stick house, watch the birds, and explore the woodland. Join the Forest Guide on a ‘Fairy Tale Trail’ and exercise your imagination. Or just chill out and count the colours of the spring flowers.
Organised activities begin with a Health Walk at 11.00am. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, there is a guided walk at 12.00noon which will explore the forest using fairy stories and imagination. At 2.00pm there will be a guided walk exploring the history of the forest and the present-day benefits of the forest.
Throughout the afternoon there will be the opportunity to create pictures and patterns. A Forest Guide will be on hand with various natural materials from the forest for all your ‘Art Attack’ creations. If you want to record your creations for posterity please bring a camera with you as these environmental works of art are not permanent.
So shake off the winter blues and celebrate the start of summer. Bring a picnic and have a good day outdoors in Portglenone forest on May Day Bank Holiday.
(Car park charges apply. And if you enjoy your visit this time why not buy a yearly ticket to visit all the Forest Service forests as often as you like.)
