07956 - bh events booklet web_0
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Events at a glance
Ev
ents at a glan
ce 2013
The trees of Belfast Castle - Sat 20 April, 10am-1pm
Northern Ireland Hospice Walks - Sat 20 April from
10amCom
munity archaeology dig on Divis M
ountain - Sat 27 April, 10am-4pm
Comm
unity archaeology dig on Divis Mountain - Sat 4 M
ay, 10am-4pm
Bioblitz on Divis Mountain - Fri 17-Sat 18 M
ay 5pm-5pm
History Walk on Cave Hill - Sat 18 M
ay, 10am-1pm
North West M
ountain Rescue fundraising walk - Sat 18 May, 9am
-5pm
North Belfast Harriers Belfast Hills 10k run - Sat 25 May, 11.30am
Invertebrate investigations at Ligoniel Park - Sat 1 June, 10am-2pm
Vintage tractor & vehicle extravaganza on Divis Mountain - Sat 15 June, 1pm-3pm
Birds of Cave Hill Country Park - Sat 15 June, 10am-1pm
Bugs and Butter�ies of Slievenacloy Nature Reserve - Sat 22, 11am-1pm
Walk for woodland and waterside wild�owers - Sat 29 June, noon to 3pm
Mam
mal watch at dusk on Cave Hill - Fri 5 July 11pm
- 2am Sat 6 July
Belfast Hills car treasure hunt - Sat 20 July from 9.30am
History Tour of Cave Hill - Sat 20 July, 10am-1pm
Meadows and m
ountains walk - Sat 3 August, 9.30am-3pm
Kite Flying on Divis Mountain - Sat 17 August, 11am
-2pmFood foraging on Cave Hill - Sat 17 August, 10am
-1pmThe History of Carr’s Glen - Sat 21 Septem
ber, 10am-1pm
Midnight bat walk at Ligoniel - Sat 28 Septem
ber, 11pm-m
idnightAutum
n amble on Carnm
oney - Sat 19 October, 10.30am-1pm
Ballyaghagan and Cave Hill walk - Sat 19 October, 10am-1pm
Events at a glance 2
01
4St Brigid’s cross m
aking and traditional crafts - Sat 1 February 12noon-2pmDusk Chorus at Carnm
oney - Sun 30 March, 6pm
-7.30pmBelfast Hills am
ateur photographic competition - April
Design
& p
rint: N
EW
CR
EA
TIO
N.co
m T
el: 028
38 321 255
For further information
visit our website at w
ww.
belfasthills.org or contact the Partnership at B
elfast Hills Partnership,
9 Social Economy Village,
Hannahstow
n Hill,
Belfast B
T17 0XSTel 028 9060 3466E: info@
belfasthills.org
The Belfast HillsThe 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.
WelcomeWelcome to our new-look programme completely stuffed to the brim with fantastic events taking place all through the year in the beautiful Belfast Hills.
It promises to be a bumper year with plenty of activities and cracking good times to be had on a hilltop near you.
Get involved in our spectacular series of invertebrates and wild�ower watches. Join our eagerly-anticipated mammal watch where you can see nature while hidden in specially designed wildlife hides.
A vintage tractor and vehicle convoy to Divis Mountain is taking place and we’ll be revving up for a wacky car treasure hunt.
We’re walking in search of woodland and waterside �owers in Carr’s Glen park and looking for bugs at Slievenacloy.
We’ll be listening for bats, �ying our kites and hunting for free food in autumn. Don’t forget our heritage festival kicking off on July 1 and get snapping to enter our photographic competition.
Remember, most of our events are free for children and unemployed meaning that getting the family into the Belfast Hills is now cheaper than ever.
So get out and enjoy our events this year and discover the history, wildlife and beauty of the Belfast Hills!
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Belfast Hills Walking GuideEasy Access - walks for everyone, including people with wheelchairs & baby buggies. Help may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections. Entrance gates may have to be opened to allow wheelchair access. Please phone the site warden before arrival to ensure gate will be open for you. Walkers can wear comfortable shoes or trainers.
Gentle - walks for people who have no speci�c health problem, who are mobile and moderately �t. Suitable for baby buggies if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Leisurely - walks for reasonably �t people. May include un-surfaced rural gravel or grassy tracks. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.
Moderate - walks for people with country walking experience with above average �tness level. May include steep hills, rough terrain and crossing occasional streams. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Strenuous - walks for experienced country walker with above average �tness level. May include steep hills, rough terrain and crossing occasional streams. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Biodiversity - walks with a particular focus on enjoying Northern Ireland’s Biodiversity. See www.biodiversity.org.
Heritage - walks that celebrate our local history and heritage including old mills, industry, notable people, places and events.
Symbols - denote general site facilities and may not be available or relevant for a listed event.
Important pointsAll are very welcome to our events but please bear these important points in mind:All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times • 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 dif�cult • The Belfast Hills Partnership actively promotes responsible countryside enjoyment & has published an Access Code.
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The trees of Belfast CastleSaturday 20 April, 10am to 1pmExplore the parkland around Belfast Castle with tree expert Ben Simon and learn to identify the wide variety of native and foreign trees in the estate. Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear. Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
Northern Ireland Hospice WalksSaturday 20 April from 10am
Belfast Castle (3 miles) -
Meet at car park via Downview Park West, Belfast BT15 5GR.
Colin Glen (6 and 3 miles) -
Meet at Colin Glen Forest Park car park, 160 Stewartstown Road, Belfast BT17 0HW
Contact [email protected] or 028 9078 1836. www.nihospicecare.com
APRIL 2013
MODERATE MODERATE
Community archaeology dig on Divis MountainSaturday 27 April 10am to 4pm
People of all ages will have the opportunity to take part with a chance to excavate and uncover possible treasures of the past. The big dig will take place behind the Long Barn visitors’ centre with experts from Queen’s University’s centre for archaeological �eldwork, NI Environment Agency’s Built Heritage and the Ulster Archaeology Society. Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Price: Free (Voluntary donations welcome).Booking is essential. All ages welcome.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership 028 9060 3466 or [email protected]. www.belfasthills.org.
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MAY 2013
LEISURELY
Community archaeology dig on Divis MountainSaturday 4 May 10am to 4pm
The second of our series of public open days to give people and families a chance to take part in a live excavation. The big dig will take place behind the Long Barn visitors’ centre with experts from Queen’s University’s centre for archaeological �eldwork, NI Environment Agency’s Built Heritage and the Ulster Archaeology Society. Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Price: Free (Voluntary donations welcome).Booking is essential. All ages welcome.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership 028 9060 3466 or [email protected]. www.belfasthills.org.
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Bioblitz on Divis MountainFrom 5pm Friday 17 May to 5pm Saturday 18 May
A bioblitz is an inventory of species within an area, recorded over 24 hours. This event will focus on �nding and identifying as many species as possible on the National Trust Site. A bioblitz brings together volunteer scientists, students, teachers and other members of the community. The more the merrier so please come along and help out. Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Price: Free (Voluntary donations welcome).
Contact: Belfast Hills [email protected] or 028 9060 3466.www.belfasthills.org
MODERATE
STRENUOUS
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History Walk on Cave HillSaturday 18 May, 10am to 1pm
Join historian John Gray for a walk over the top of Cave Hill, become familiar with some of the path network and �nd out the history of the hill.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Children and young people under16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
North West Mountain Rescue fundraising walkSaturday 18 May, 9am to 5pm
This is a challenging day’s walking on Divis Mountain and suitable for seasoned trekkers. Choose between a guided walk or follow a pre-set route.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Age 16 and over only.
For fundraising and other details contact John Binns on 07703 461 702 oremail [email protected]
What we do• Encourage physical and emotional
well-being with healthy walking
• Strive to protect the wildlife ofthe Belfast Hills
• Promote the heritage of theBelfast Hills
• Combat invasive species that threaten our native plants and animals
• Record wildlife, protect habitats and help guard against wild�res
• Improve access into the Hills and develop new routes
• Produce lea�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.
Friend of the Belfast Hills Sign up to become a Friend of the Belfast Hills for just £10 (£5 concession) a year and get free and reduced admission to our events as well as taking part in exclusive outings.
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STRENUOUS
JUNE 2013
EASY ACCESS
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North Belfast Harriers,Chain Reaction CyclesBelfast Hills 10k runSaturday 25 May, 11:30am
A trail run on gravel paths through the Cave Hill Country Park taking in Belfast Castle, Bellevue and McArt’s Fort.
Meet below the entrance to Boys’ Model, Ballysillan Road, BT14 6RB.
Price £12 per person (unaf�liated), £10 (af�liated).
Contact: North Belfast [email protected]
Invertebrate investigationsat Ligoniel ParkSaturday 1 June, 10am to 2pm
Get help identifying bugs, bees, butter�ies and other fantastic mini-beasts known as invertebrates at Ligoniel Park. Join experts as we search for invertebrates - an animal with no backbone - taking pictures and building up records for the area. Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear. Price: Free
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or 028 9060 3466.www.belfasthills.org
EASY ACCESS
MODERATE
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Vintage tractor and vehicle extravaganza on Divis MountainSaturday 15 June, 1pm to 3pm
Come and see a glorious convoy of vintage tractors, cars and motorbikes before watching them make their way to the top of Divis Mountain.
There’s fun for all the family and a chance to view these magni�cent vehicles – including the Massey Ferguson and McCormick Farmall showcased by Glenavy and District Vintage Club.
Park at the National Trust car park on 12 Divis Road. Viewing from 1pm to 3pm with the cavalcade driving to the top of Divis Mountain.
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Birds of Cave Hill Country ParkSaturday 15 June, 10am to 1pm
Bird expert Larry Toal will introduce some of the many bird species on Cave Hill and recount fascinating details about how they live and survive.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear. Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
LEISURELY
LEISURELY
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Bugs and Butter�ies of Slievenacloy Nature ReserveSaturday 22 June, 11am to 1pm
We’ll be grabbing our butter�y nets and magni�ers and taking wing around this Belfast Hills site that’s totally brimming with lots of lovely wildlife. We’ll explore under �owers, leaves and in every hiding place for bugs, beetles, bees and butter�ies.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Price: Adults £2. Free for Friends of the Belfast Hills, children under 16 and unemployed.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or 028 9060 3466.www.belfasthills.org
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Walk for woodland and waterside wild�owersSaturday 29 June - 12noon to 3pm
Join us to follow the course of the river valley at Carr’s Glen park. We will investigate �owers and plants which choose the riverside as their habitat.
We will also have a craft tent where artists will help you make a model of your favourite �ower to take home.
Entry is free and suitable for all the family.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or 028 9060 3466.www.belfasthills.org
Belfast Hills Heritage Festival 2013Make a summer date for another action-packed and fascinating festival kicking off on July 1. The week-long series of events promises to be fun for all the family.
Enter a world of fantasy and laughs with storytelling for children or hop on our heritage bus tour of the hills. Go fossil hunting, have a go at pond dipping for water creatures and get along to our arts and crafts fair. Grab some popcorn for our local �lm night, or take part in our heritage and nature walks.
The full festival line-up will be posted on our website or sign up online to our e-newsletter to keep up-to-date on what’s happening. Booking is required for most events.
JULY 2013
MODERATE
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Mammal watch atdusk on Cave Hill11pm on Friday 5 to 2am Saturday 6 July
Join Belfast Hills Partnership staff in their wildlife hide to observe the nocturnal activities of our much-loved local mammals.
Places are limited to the space inside the hide, so advance booking is essential.
Entry is free.
Contact: Belfast Hills [email protected] or028 9060 3466. www.belfasthills.org
MODERATE
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Belfast Hills car treasure huntSaturday 20 July 9:30am (last start 11:00am)
Collect your map at the starting point at Belfast Hills Partnership’s of�ces. Get on the grid to solve all the clues, take photographic evidence of what you �nd, buy certain items and beat the other teams back to the start. Staggered start times allocated when booked in advance.
This is also a race against the clock as you must be back at base on time otherwise you will have points deducted.*
Price: £5 per car/vehicle.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or 028 9060 3466. www.belfasthills.org
*NB All cars must stay within legal speed limits. Drivers are responsible for any damage or speeding �nes/penalties incurred.
History Tour of Cave HillSaturday 20 July 10am to 1pm
Cormac Hamill will lead a walk over the top of Cave Hill and recount some of the folklore associated with this Belfast landmark. Spectacular views included.
Meet at Belfast Castle. Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear. Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
AUGUST 2013
STRENUOUS
EASY ACCESS
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Meadows and mountains walkBog Meadows Nature Reserve to Divis Mountain, BelfastSaturday 3 August, 9:30am-3pm
Join in the annual meadows to mountains walk, organised by Cairde Pairc na bhFal (Friends of Falls Park) from Bog Meadows to the top of Divis Mountain.
Transport will be provided back to Bog Meadows and refreshments will be served in St Gall’s GAC clubhouse.
Price: £2.
Contact Ulster Wildlife Trust 028 4483 0282 or [email protected]. www.ulsterwildlifetrust.org
Build and �y your kite on DivisSaturday 17 August 11am to 2pm
Calling all kite runners! Come along to the Long Barn at Divis where the Belfast Hills Partnership will team up with Divis National Trust warden Dermot McCann to make and �y lots of kites! Price: £2 to make your own kite. Alternatively if you already have a kite, come along and �y it for free. Staff will show you how to �y your kite safely.
Park at 12 Divis Road, Hannahstown. Belfast, BT17 0NG. No need to book, just come along! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership028 9060 3466 or [email protected]
The PartnershipThe Belfast Hills Partnership aims to act 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 bene�t the Hills.
The Partnership has secured Heritage Lottery Funding for a Landscape Partnership Scheme in the hills. The aim is to bring communities back in touch with the landscape that has shaped their communities.
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MODERATE
MODERATE
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Food foraging on Cave HillSaturday 17 August 10am to 1pm
Dermot Hughes will lead a foray into the woods and grassland of Cave Hill to point out edible and useful plants.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
SEPT 2013
The History of Carr’s GlenSaturday 21 September, 10am to 1pm
Henry Bell will lead this rummage around the industrial ruins hidden in Carr’s Glen and explain their signi�cance in the history of Belfast.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
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Midnight bat walk at LigonielSaturday 28 September, 11pm to midnight
Take a guided walk around the bat busy dams of Ligoniel with staff from theBelfast Hills Partnership and membersof the NI Bat Group.
We will be using special bat detectors to pick up the frequency of these night time mammals and attempt to identify as many different species as possible. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking required. Price £2.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or 028 9060 3466. www.belfasthills.orgLEISURELY
Autumn amble on CarnmoneySaturday 19 October, 10:30am to 1pm
Roll up and get food for free! Join in a guided walk around the Carnmoney Hill site and seek out nature’s bounty. There are many plants, berries and nuts which can be collected and used in a variety of traditional recipes and healing remedies.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear. Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Entry is free. Donations welcome.
Contact: Belfast Hills [email protected] or 028 9060 3466.www.belfasthills.org
OCT 2013
MODERATE
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Ballyaghagan and Cave Hill walkSaturday 19 October, 10am to 1pm
Get to know Ballyaghagan Nature Reserve with Cormac Hamill and see a different side to Cave Hill.
Participants should be equipped for inclement weather and wear suitable footwear.
Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: Free
Contact: call 028 9029 1357 or email cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
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MODERATE
St Brigid’s cross makingand traditional cra�sSaturday 1 February, 12 noon to 2pm
Cros Bríde, Crosóg Bríde or Bogha Bríde, is an Irish symbol that possibly derives from the pagan sunwheel. It is usually made from rushes on the feast day of St Brigid. It was traditionally believed that a Brigid’s Cross protects the house from �re and evil.
Come along to the Belfast Hills Partnership’s of�ces at 9 Social Economy Village, Hannastown Hill, Belfast BT17 0XS to make these traditional crosses on St Brigid’s Day.
Price £2
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership 028 9060 3466or [email protected]. www.belfasthills.org
FEBRUARY 2014
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Belfast Hills amateur photo competitionGet snappy and enter our photographic competition with images celebrating the wildlife, landscape and beauty of the Belfast Hills.
Free to enter. Junior and adult categories.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or028 9060 3466.www.belfasthills.org
APRIL 2014
MARCH 2014
MODERATE
Dusk Chorus at CarnmoneySunday 30 March, 6pm to 7:30pm
Bird experts will lead a walk around the wooded area to hear the sometimes forgotten about Dusk Chorus. The bird song can be equally as impressive at this time of the day as at dawn. Participants should be equipped for cool evening temperatures and wear suitable footwear for a steep terrain. Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking in advance required. Price: Adults £2, Free for Friends of the Belfast Hills, children under 16 and unemployed.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership [email protected] or 028 9060 3466. www.belfasthills.org
ProjectsOver 30 different projects are being undertaken by the Belfast Hills Partnership with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Through our Landscape Partnership Scheme we are addressing landscape threats and opportunities, getting communities involved with the hills, improving access for users and providing training.
Belfast Hills Partnership, 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, Belfast BT17 0XS.
Belfast Hills Training Courses
Brush up on your skills or learn new ones on a Belfast Hills training course. There are lots of programmes to choose from including GPS and mapping, biological surveying, practical conservation skills, walking in the hills training and archaeological surveying. These courses are a great way to enjoy the hills and meet new people, but apply early as they rapidly book up!
Keep up-to-dateAll events are posted on our websitewww.belfasthills.org. Just click on our events section. You can keep up-to-date with the Belfast Hills news and get event reminders by signing up to our e-newsletter and e-alerts. Just email [email protected].
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VolunteeringFancy helping the hills practically? You don’t need experience to get involved in the work we do, just a willingness to get stuck in and get involved. We hold various volunteering days throughout the week and all through the year. You can help us out with anything from butter�y surveys in fragrant meadows to hedge planting for wildlife. Long term volunteers can even become Hills Rangers and help look after a speci�c site in the hills.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact our Volunteer Of�cer. Email Freddie Harris at [email protected] or call 028 9060 3466.
Belfast Hills Conservation Volunteers
The Belfast Hills Conservation Volunteers get together at least once a month (usually the fourth Saturday) and help with a wide variety of tasks.
Here are just some of the projects that we get involved in:• Hedge-planting• Scrub removal• Invasive species surveys• Tree planting• Wildlife surveys• Litter picking• Path maintenance
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