Write a commentJonesborough Woods has received a much needed face lift thanks to the local Jonesborough Community Association and the Ring of Gullion Partnership Scheme.
The local community association with help from the Ring of Gullion secured Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Challenge Fund money to finish off the restoration of paths, interpretation boards plus installation of new picnic benches and a story telling area for children. The newly restored woods opened on Saturday 8 July with a family fun day.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “The woods were planted around 20 years ago on Parish land behind Jonesborough Pastoral Centre. A lot of effort went into making this an inviting place to walk; with paths, picnic benches and a small pond. Sadly as the woods grew it was forgotten about, a bit like Sleeping Beauty, though instead of being hidden by a high thorny hedge, a high bank of cherry laurel did the same job.”
Councillor Mulgrew continued, “The woods continued to grow and develop to become a thriving habitat for all manner of woodland plants and animals, from a thick carpet of bluebells and wood sorrel to nesting song birds and breeding rabbits. Four years ago the Ring of Gullion Partnership Scheme and volunteers began the work of restoring Jonesborough Woods to its former glory. Most of the clearance work of removing the cherry laurel, clearing the paths, removing invasive gorse and coppicing the hazel has been done by hand.”
The partnership is working with Spouncer Ecology consultants and the people of Jonesborough to draw up a five-year community-linked management plan for the woods.
To get involved in the upkeep of Jonesborough Woods contact 028 3082 8594 or email volunteer@ringofgullion.org
