Issue 259 - East Down BT24 • BT30 • BT31 • BT33
New Amphibious Vehicle on patrol The purchase of a specialist amphibious vehicle is allowing Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to make inroads into removing invasive weeds from previously inaccessible areas at a number of its waterways, helping transform the aquatic environment. The new environmentally friendly Truxor T50 vehicle has already made a significant impact after it came into service and will continue to make a major contribution to primary waterway maintenance going forward. Equipped with a range of attachments that can be swapped to perform various tasks, such as cutting, dredging, raking, mowing and harvesting, the vehicle’s versatility allows for precise and efficient operations, especially on waterways and alongside riverbanks. The Truxor is particularly effective for cutting and removing Seniors participating in a Summer Scheme were welcomed by Head Gardener Alwyn Sinnamon and members of the gardening team at the beautifully restored Annesley Walled Garden and Arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park recently
Seniors Enjoy Annesley Walled Garden and Arboretum
More than 40 senior citizens enjoyed an informative and fascinating visit to the beautifully restored Annesley Walled Garden and Arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park recently, organised by the Downpatrick, Mournes, Rowallane and Slieve Croob District Electoral Areas (DEAs). The visit was part of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Seniors’ Summer Scheme, with the group welcomed by Head Gardener Alwyn Sinnamon and members of the gardening team, who shared the rich history of the gardens and provided insight into the extensive restoration work that has transformed
this historic site. Visitors learned about the significance of the Walled Garden, set at the heart of the internationally renowned arboretum at the Forest Park which officially reopened to the public on 7 March, following a major £1.3 million restoration project. The project was funded
by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, as part of a £5.5 million Castlewellan Historic Demesne heritage project. The 12-acre walled garden, dating back to the 1850s, is one of the finest examples of a grand Victorian formal garden with col-
lections of rare and exotic trees, shrubs and plants. The surrounding arboretum is also home to one of the most significant collection of trees and shrubs on the island of Ireland.
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aquatic weeds, reeds and other vegetation that can clog rivers, lakes and canals, impeding water flow. Most recently, the vehicle was utilised to successfully clear and remove aggressive weed growth from the 3.5 acre Donaghaguy Reservoir in Warrenpoint which is particularly popular with anglers. Cllr Hanna said one of the key aspects of the new equipment is its positive impact on what’s happening beneath the waterline, with the purchase of the new vehicle representing an investment in the future of the district’s waterways.
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East Down Advertiser
Celebrated Irish Artist features in Museum Exhibition
The Down County Museum recently launched the F.E. McWilliam: A County Down Legacy exhibition. Born in Banbridge in 1902, McWilliam went on to become one of Ireland’s most celebrated artists, with his work now held in major international c o l l e c t i o n s , including the Tate Museum in London and New York’s Museum of Modern Art. McWilliam studied painting at Belfast School of Art and at the Slade School of Fine Art in London (192831) before turning to sculpture in the early 1930s. His earliest wood carvings were influenced by archaic and primitive art, especially by African sculpture. The Downpatrick exhibition offers a unique opportunity to view a selection of sculptures and studies from the collection of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio based in Banbridge. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
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Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said, “The remarkable exhibition provides an opportunity to sample some of F E McWilliam’s outstanding work and we are delighted to have the opportunity to highlight and celebrate it. McWilliam achieved international acclaim through his pioneering sculpture, with his works now held in some
of the world’s most prestigious collections. “The Downpatrick exhibition provides a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to experience a selection of his sculptures and studies close to home, gaining an insight into the creativity, innovation and artistic vision that defined his career.” Cllr Hanna is encouraging people to
take the opportunity to engage with the work of the world-renowned artist whose legacy continues to inspire through visiting the exhibition. The Down County Museum exhibition runs until 29 August, with the museum opening hours noon until 4pm on Mondays and 10am until 4.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
Heritage Fund Funding Secured
Two of Northern Ireland’s most important landscapes, Mourne Gullion and Strangford and Lecale, have secured more than £1.9million in development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to revive and connect the UK’s most treasured landscapes. Thanks to National Lottery players, Heritage Fund has awarded over £5million in development funding across five UK projects with the potential for a further £46.2 million in delivery grants to follow as plans are developed and tested over the next two years. From restoring habitats and recovering peatlands damaged by wildfire to improving access to nature, supporting community stewardship and building resilience to climate change, the five projects represent the latest step in strengthening nature, heritage and communities across some of the UK’s most significant landscapes. A £150 million, ten-year investment, Landscape Connections brings together farmers, landowners, communities and partners to restore nature and build resilience at a scale that matches the challenge. Across the five projects, that means peatland restoration, water and flood management, coastal resilience, species recovery and farmer-
led, nature-positive land management, alongside empowering communities, improving access to nature and supporting more people to take an active role in caring for their local landscapes. Mourne Gullion is one of Northern Ireland’s most distinctive landscapes but faces increasing challenges from wildfires, pollution and pressures on land use. With £1.1m in development funding awarded and the potential for a further £8.7m in delivery funding, the project will bring together farmers, landowners and communities to restore habitats, strengthen resilience and reconnect people with its rich natural and cultural heritage. Strangford and Lecale is one of Northern Ireland’s most important coastal landscapes, facing growing pressures from climate change and habitat fragmentation. With over £800,000 in development funding awarded and the potential for a further £8.8m in delivery funding, the project will create a more connected landscape
by restoring habitats at scale and supporting communities to lead nature recovery. A partnership between Newry Mourne and Down District Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council working alongside Ulster Wildlife will coordinate the Strangford and Lecale project. In the neighbouring Mourne and Gullion Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty a project team from Mourne Heritage Trust, National Trust, Newry Mourne and Down District Council and Northern Ireland Water
has been formed. Dedicated roles will be recruited to develop and deliver both projects with five jobs in the development stage in Mourne Gullion and a further four jobs, six apprenticeships and a student placement programme for at least 24 young people in delivery. For Strangford and Lecale, five roles will be created in the local area during the development stage and a further five in delivery. Recruitment for the Mourne Gullion project led by the National Trust will start in early August.
Issue 259 - Support Local
Event Celebrates Placement Students’ Contribution
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has celebrated the invaluable contribution of its placement students at a special event marking the conclusion of their time with the organisation. The undergraduates, who spent a year working across various Council departments, took centre stage at the August event at the Downshire Civic Centre in Downpatrick when they were given the opportunity to deliver a presentation about their placement experience, outlining their contribution, learning and professional growth. Students began their placement in September 2025 and as part of their onboarding programme, were enrolled in the Council’s Leadership Development Programme, gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Throughout the year, students were provided with a wide range of learning and development opportunities, helping them build practical skills, expand their knowledge and enhance their future career prospects. Council chief executive, Marie Ward, who attended the celebration event, praised the students for their enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism throughout their
placements. “The students became valued members of their respective teams, embracing real workplace challenges with professionalism, resilience and a genuine willingness to learn. Their innovative ideas, digital expertise and fresh approach created
opportunities for mutual learning to enhance our Council services,” she said. The Chief Executive also acknowledged the guidance, encouragement and commitment from line managers and colleagues who played a critical role in creating meaningful learning experiences.
The celebration event marked the successful conclusion of another year of student placements, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to investing in the development of future talent and creating opportunities for students to gain meaningful professional experience.
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