NewsletterIssue 13 Spring 2011Caring for the Hills, their Wildlife and People

A new current is running through the Belfast Hills with a scheme to reconnect communities with the heritage and wildlife of local rivers.

Schools and community groups who get involved in the rivers initiative will research old and current maps, existing literature and photographs.

But a primary source of information will come from members of community groups in the Belfast Hills. It is hoped these people will unearth a rich supply of anecdotal stories and information about their local waterways and streams.

Entitled the River Awareness Project, the scheme will focus on the main rivers of the Belfast Hills - Colin, Farset, Clowney, Blackstaff, Glencairn, Forth, Crumlin, Clady and Milewater rivers.

Three of these will be chosen for a study of fish species, pollution, old maps and river courses. Industrial heritage and other wildlife will also galvanise the project.

Bill Andrews of the Belfast Hills Partnership said it was hoped there would be lots more awareness about the rivers in the hills.

“We hope to research the kind of access we have to these rivers and record their wildlife. Where appropriate, we wish to facilitate community involvement in improvement works and also run events on the rivers.”

If your community group or school would like to be involved, just contact Lizzy Pinkerton at the Belfast Hills Partnership or email lizzy.pinkerton@belfasthills.org

Strong Currents for River Awareness Project

CHICKEN RUSTLERS

1837

THIS YEAR’S EVENTS

‘ROCK DJ’ MACONIE ON

DIVIS

In this issue

THE YEAR OF THE BATThe Belfast Hills is helping to raise awareness to the plight of local bats as 2011 marks the international year of the bat.

April normally sees the emergence of our bats after their winter hibernation. But this year the Partnership is warning that building work and the removal of trees and green spaces is making habitat “a desert” for our native bats by removing the insects they feed on for survival.

Species found in the Belfast Hills and in green areas around Belfast include pipistrelle, Leisler, natterers and Daubentons bats.

Jim Bradley of the Partnership said it was vital that we helped protect our bats as much as our daytime wildlife.

“There are an amazing number of night-fl ying insects that attract bats around Belfast. Though there may be fewer insects at hill summits, these are still great habitats for pipistrelle, Leislers and natterers,” he said.

“Daubentons feed across the water and live in a few areas of the Belfast Hills. Lagan Valley is also wonderful for bats. But when you see trees and greenery disappearing, you get a desert for bats.”

See on our events at www.belfasthills.org for details on bat nights in the Belfast Hills this year.

A rare natusius’s pipistrelle bat found at Colin Glen

The BBC’s Stuart Maconie was delighted to have made it all the way up to the summit of Divis Mountain during a recent visit to the Belfast Hills.

The Radio 2 DJ of Radcliff and Maconie fame took to the Divis and Black Mountain site alongside the staff from the Belfast Hills Partnership for an episode of Ramblings.

Partnership Manager Jim Bradley, board members Cormac Hamill and Bill Andrews, and Charlie Monaghan from Glen Walkers put in appearances for the Radio 4 broadcast.

L-R: Jim Bradley and Stuart Maconie on Divis

PILOT OF THE AIRWAVES

This is the woman who has taken up the million pound challenge to shape the future of the Belfast Hills for generations to come.

Lizzy Pinkerton is the Belfast Hills landscape partnership scheme development manager and has been busy at the helm of the new post she secured last November.

She has already secured £160,000 match funding which will help unlock £1.17 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) over the next four years. The scheme contains a portfolio of over 30 projects that provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefi ts for the wider Belfast Hills area. Work on the ground should start by 2012.

The initiative will include path improvements at Cave Hill, Divis Mountain and Slievenacloy Nature Reserve. A variety of heritage-based projects will also take place including oral history recording, archaeological surveys and the publication of a heritage booklet of the Belfast Hills.

Events, exhibitions, publications, volunteering and training opportunities will also be key in getting people involved in the Belfast Hills.

“I have been talking to lots of people and have so far secured money from the Rural Development Fund and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency,” said Lizzy.

“Our fi eld guide heritage booklet, community work, surveys, website improvements and onsite interpretation are all exciting things happening. So watch this space as we’re only starting to improve the Belfast Hills.”

A community event and short presentation about the project will be held in Bryson House, 28 Bedford Street, Belfast on Tuesday April 19 between 7pm and 8pm.

Belfast Hills Living Landscape Lady

Wonderful WebsiteMakes Hills the StarsThe hills are the stars of our new homepage bringing you right into a world of wildlife and beauty in the hills.

Our new look website is now online and it’s better than ever in fi nding that walk or information you want.

Our picture gallery has also been extended to include much more of the gorgeous images that you love from the beautiful Belfast Hills. www.belfasthills.org

Creating Recreation

Partnership Study highlights need for coordination of recreation in the Hills

An in-depth study of the Belfast Hills suggests people want more walks, better access to the hills through road signage, improved public transport and a public walking route across the sites.

Entitled the Belfast Hills Recreation Development Plan, the 40-page report recommends how best to develop recreation in a co-ordinated way in the Belfast Hills.

The study highlights six top recreational activities in the Belfast Hills - walking, road cycling, orienteering, geocaching, fell running and organised pitch sports.Other emerging activities should be promoted as they arise, it says.

But until funding is available, the infrastructure improvements needed will not possible, the report’s authors say.

However, Partnership Manager Jim Bradley said the recommendations would improve people’s recreational experience of the Belfast Hills and boost tourism potential for the city.

“The proposals are a means to address how we can enhance the experience of returning visitors in the hills and encourage new recreational users - including tourists - onto the sites.

The full report can be viewed online at www.belfasthills.org in the downloads section.

Young “guardians” of hills urged to halt fi resThe Belfast Hills Partnership has appealed to young “guardians” in north and west Belfast to help protect the hills this year from arsonists.

Anyone who detects a fi re or sees another person starting one is asked to report it to the emergency services immediately.

The emergency services and local communities have been battling in recent years to protect the hills and their abundance of wildlife from arsonists.

Red grouse, stonechats, skylark, snipe and other upland breeding birds live in the Divis and Black Mountain area, while peregrine falcons and ravens feed on the mountain environment.

The Partnership’s Project Offi cer Rose Muir said early spring fi res were causing major damage and loss of wildlife at critical times of breeding.

“Don’t assume that someone else will be calling the fi re service. Use your mobile phones to call 999 if you see a fi re. Young people in north and west Belfast are guardians of these hills and they hold the key to their future protection. Together we hope to stop these devastating upland heath fi res,” she said.

The skylark is small bird that nests in the grass and heath and is greatly damaged by hill fi res. It lives on the highest points of Divis and Black Mountain and is known for its beautiful

song that it gives out whilst hovering over the heather

Golden Acorn, Half Moon Lake, Buggy Derby & Wildberry Pancakes...

The 2011-2012 Events Programme is now out!

We have a Hidden Hills series of walks which will explore the hidden jewels of the Belfast Hills – areas like the Half Moon Lake.

Our treasure hunt for the golden acorn will have you out on the hills all summer to unearth the booty, while it’s sure to be gridlock on Divis

Mountain in August with our inaugural Belfast Hills buggy derby.

We’ll be sampling the culinary delights of wild bilberries on Cave Hill by rustling up a few pancakes after picking this delicious berry – all

in the great outdoors!

Golden Acorn, Half Moon Lake, Buggy Derby

We have a Hidden Hills series of walks which will explore the hidden jewels of Events Programme2011/2012

www.belfasthills.org

Events ProgrammeAt a Glance

For further information

Unsure where any of the sites are?

visit our website www.belfasthills.org

Contact Us:

Belfast Hills Partnership*

9 Social Economy Village

Hannahstown Hill

Belfast BT17 0XS

Tel 028 90603466

Email: info@belfasthills.org

* The full name of the organisation is the Belfast Hills Partnership Trust Ltd.

The Partnership

All are very welcome to our events but

please bear these important points in mind:

• All children under 16 must be

accompanied by an adult

• Suitable clothing and footwear should be

worn

• Dogs are allowed on some walks but only

on a lead

• Some parts of walks can be steep or

diffi cult

The Belfast Hills Partnership actively promotes responsible

countryside enjoyment and has published an Access Code.

The Belfast Hills Partnership acts for all

sides and interests in the hills.

We bring together statutory bodies with a

role to play in the Hills, including the four

councils of Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey

and Antrim. These are joined by people

from farming, the settlements, commercial

enterprises and the recreation and

environmental sectors.

All these groups have pledged to work

together to solve problems and forge new

initiatives to benefi t the Hills.

Important Points

What we do

• Encourage physical and emotional well-being with healthy walking

• Strive to protect the wildlife of the Belfast Hills

• Combat invasive species that threaten our native plants and animals

• Record wildlife and protect habitats

• Improve access into the Hills and develop new routes

• Produce leafl ets, provide information and volunteering opportunities

• Commission environmental research

• Run events, newsletters and website

• Support local agriculture and communities

• Scrutinise planning applications that may affect the Belfast Hills

• Make sure government departments consider the Belfast Hills when making decisions

This year’s highlights

Open up this leafl et and feast your eyes on the great

things happening on a hilltop near you this year!

Our Hidden Hills series of walks will explore the

hidden jewels of the Belfast Hills – areas like the

Half Moon Lake and Slievenacloy.

Our sponsored walk challenge will also explore the

lesser known areas of Carr’s Glen as part of the trek

around Cave Hill.

Our treasure hunt for the golden acorn will have you

out on the hills all summer to unearth the booty,

while it’s sure to be gridlock on Divis Mountain in

August with our inaugural Belfast Hills buggy derby.

We’ll be sampling the culinary delights of wild

bilberries on Cave Hill by rustling up a few pancakes

after picking this delicious berry – all in the great

outdoors!

So get out, discover and protect the Belfast Hills this

year!

Our improved website helps you fi nd out more about

the sites with even more ease and enjoyment. Just

go to www.belfasthills.org

Keep up-to-date on what’s happening

All events are posted on our website

www.belfasthills.org. This year there is a

comprehensive month by month guide to organised

events in the Belfast Hills. Just click on our events

section.

Sign up to receive our regular enewsletters – so

you’ll never miss out. We can also deliver leafl ets

to you by post. You can sign up to Belfast Hills

Partnership on Facebook and Twitter too.

The Belfast Hills

Just minutes from the city, the hills above Belfast reveal the splendour of another world.

The Belfast Hills stretch from Colin Mountain and Slievenacloy Local Nature Reserve in the south, to Glenside

Community Woodland and Divis and the Black Mountain in the west. Cave Hill Country Park and Carnmoney Hill

extend the hills northwards.

These public sites are home to important species of plants, animals and birds. They are rich in heritage and

archaeology and they attract visitors all year round.

The Hills offer stunning landscapes and breathtaking views across the north of Ireland and beyond.

Become a Friend of the Belfast Hills

Remember you can sign up to become a Friend of the Belfast Hills for just £10 a year and get free and reduced

admission on our events as well as taking part in exclusive outings.

Healthy Walking

Look on our website at www.belfasthills.org for the essential healthy walking guide. It gives you the inside track on

the walks that best suit you. Whether you’re a mum with baby in the buggy, just getting back to walking or a keen

and able trekker, there’s a walk for you!

Volunteering

You can volunteer with the Belfast Hills. There is a list of projects on our website and we are looking for fundraising

volunteers to organise pub quizzes and charity work days.

Contact us 028 90 60 34 66/info@belfasthills.org

2011

April Saturday 9 Woodland family fun day at Carnmoney Hill

May

Saturday 28 Annual Belfast Hills bus tour

June

Saturday 18 Hidden hills – butterfl y walk at Slievenacloy

Saturday 25 8 Mile Challenge - Cave Hill and Carr’s Glen

July

Summer treasure hunt – (July and August)

Thursday 21 Myths and legends on Divis and Black Mountain

Thursday 28 Bilberry evening feast on Cave Hill

August

Wednesday 3 Buggy derby on Divis Mountain

Friday 5 Genealogy open day

September

Saturday 10 Plant identifi cation course

Friday 23 History Alive: The archaeology of the Belfast Hills

October

Sunday 2 Carnmoney walk - national trails day

November

Saturday 5 Hidden Hazelwood

2012January

Saturday 7 Carnmoney calorie killer New Year’s walk

March

Saturday 24 Hidden hills - walk at Half Moon Lake

Events ProgrammeAt a Glance2011

April Saturday 9 Woodland family fun day at Carnmoney HillMay Saturday 28 Annual Belfast Hills bus tourJune Saturday 18 Hidden hills – butterfl y walk at SlievenacloySaturday 25 8 Mile Challenge - Cave Hill and Carr’s GlenJuly Summer treasure hunt – (July and August)Thursday 21 Myths and legends on Divis and Black MountainThursday 28 Bilberry evening feast on Cave HillAugust Wednesday 3 Buggy derby on Divis MountainFriday 5 Genealogy open daySeptember Saturday 10 Plant identifi cation courseFriday 23 History Alive: The archaeology of the Belfast HillsOctober Sunday 2 Carnmoney walk - national trails dayNovember Saturday 5 Hidden Hazelwood

2012January Saturday 7 Carnmoney calorie killer New Year’s walkMarch Saturday 24 Hidden hills - walk at Half Moon Lake

ALL ABOARD FOR OUR NEXT EVENT

Explore Divis and Black Mountain, Cave Hill and Slievenacloy Local Nature Reserve by bus and on foot. Tour includes a stop off for scones and tea/coffee. Bring a pack lunch and wear warm clothing and sturdy footwear. Price: Adult £16, Senior Citizen £15, Child £10. Friends of the Belfast Hills £12. Booking is required.

To receive the events leafl et by post email your details to info@belfasthills.org or call us on 02890 603 466

Chicken Raids at Carnmoney

A spate of Chicken rustling in 1837 and 1838 was causing feathers to fl y in Carnmoney. The sleepy law-abiding parish was the target of some very determined chicken thieves who were plucking the birds from their “hen roosts”.

Carnmoney Parish

The parish is included in the Whitehouse district of petty sessions which are held at the village of Whitehouse Lower, near the east centre of this parish on every third Thursday. Three magistrates, namely Major Rowan of Merville and Robert Grimshaw of Whitehouse Upper in this parish and John McNeile of Parkmount in the adjoining parish of Shankill, usually preside at these sessions…..

It will be seen that the cases brought before these petty sessions are of a trivial nature and that offences of a grave character are almost unknown. This is rather surprising in a district so immediately in the vicinity of such a town as Belfast and in one which is the thoroughfare between it and all the towns north and west of it in this and the neighbouring counties. The larcenies were chiefl y confi ned to the robbing of hen roosts, a crime which during the winters of 1837 and 1838 was of rather frequent occurrence. On a recent occasion (in February 1839) the thieves were detected and were found to be natives of Belfast and strangers to this parish. The great facility for exporting poultry to England and Scotland by the steamers and the prevalence of that custom offers an inducement to the commission of this crime.

Ordnance Survey – Memoirs of IrelandParishes of County Antrim 1 1838-39Vol 2

Step Back in Time

It’s your Belfast Hills

Contact the Belfast Hills for help and advice with any concerns or questions regarding the hills, their wildlife and people.

Address: Belfast Hills Partnership, 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, BT17 0XS

Tel: 028 9060 3466 Fax: 028 9030 9867Email: info@belfasthills.org Web: www.belfasthill.orgCharity No. XR70288 Company No: NI053189

“

”