Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus
Date: 12 March 2008
No. of trees planted: 12
No. of people involved: 15
We arrived at Ulidia Integrated College to be met with a heavy shower of hailstones. It looked unlikely that we would be able to plant a foot outside the car never mind trees in the ground! Fortunately the hail turned to rain and eventually eased.
Mrs Spratt, a teacher at the school, was still keen to continue with the event provided some pupils turned up! The project was part of an after school Eco Club, and 12 pupils demonstrated their keenest to be involved in environmental projects by showing up despite the weather. Two teachers and the caretaker of the school also got involved.
The pupils planted 12 pedunculate oak along the boundary fence at the front of the school. As the school overlooks Belfast Lough from an elevated position on a hill on the outskirts of Carrickfergus, the trees had to be well planted and staked against the wind.
The sun did eventually make an appearance but did little to take the chill out of the biting wind. However, it did mean the volunteers could take advantage of the panoramic views from the school across Belfast Lough to Holywood and Bangor. The whole event was covered for the school magazine, U-Beat, and the school radio station. Many photographs were taken and interviews recorded. A cold but very worthwhile afternoon’s planting.