Centenary Woods at both Antrim Castle Gardens and Mossley Mill were opened today by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery, as part of the Council’s Northern Ireland Centenary programme.
Masserene Centenary Wood, located in Antrim Castle Gardens is made up of approx 400 trees and Mossley Mill Centenary Wood at Mossley Mill, is made up of approx 1100 trees. Both woods have been funded by DAERA’s Small Woodland Grant Scheme and are made up from native species such as Oak, Hazel, Rowan and Hawthorn.
It is fitting that on Monday 3 May, the creation of Northern Ireland is marked by the formation of two new woodlands which will do so much for our future environmental prosperity, so vital in this time of climate change.
The Mayor also made a pledge in the Centenary Charter “As a Council, we aim to make life better for the people of The Borough and encourage their contribution to the success of Northern Ireland for the next 100 years. In doing so we will strive to improve their economic, social, educational and environmental prospects in the future”.
The Mayor added “I am honoured as First Citizen of this Borough to mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of Northern Ireland, a place I am proud to call home, by opening the Massereene and Mossley Mill Centenary Woods. Both these projects will leave a lasting legacy as we move beyond the first 100 years of Northern Ireland toward a bright and prosperous future for all citizens in Northern Ireland and in particular our Borough”.
The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell will join the Mayor this evening to light a beacon at Macedon Point, Hazelbank and the Motte at Antrim Castle Gardens. The beacon being symbolic of hope for a bright future for all. Antrim Civic Centre, Ballyclare Town Hall Clock Face and Mossley Mill will also light up red tonight to mark this momentous day.
