Confederation of Community Groups branch out with community orchard plan

As part of plans to mark 50 years of the  Confederation of Community Groups the organisation is forwarding a  “50 Trees for 50 Years ” project which will see community orchards planted throughout the district.

Over the coming months 8-10 small community orchards will be established within the Council area. Welcoming the initiative Council Chairperson Valerie Harte said that she would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the CCG on this initiative  noting  that she was particularly delighted to see so many local community groups engaged with the project on behalf of their communities.

Groups involved in the project include Barcroft CA, Linenhall CA, Drumalane / Quayside Close CA, New Town Together Men’s Shed, Lisdrumgullion Men’s Shed,  Derrybeg CA, Lislea Men’s Shed ,  Ballinacraig CA , Ballybot CA, SWAGATH, Martin’s Lane CA, Carnagat CA and Craobh Rua Camlocha.

During an insightful and entertaining presentation at the launch in Ballybot House, Newry local horticulturist Dr. Seán Mac An tSaoir  outlined to groups the dos and don’ts of setting up small scale community orchards. Community activists got an opportunity to put their questions to Seán and people were very complimentary about  the quantity and quality of knowledge they were able to avail of from his presentation.

Also in  attendance at the event were Council officials Therese Hamill , Slieve Gullion AONB officer, Danielle Begley, Council Bio-diversity officer, Cathy Mc Mahon, CCG Community Development officer, Laurence Bradley CCG Development Manager and Raymond Jackson CCG CEO .