Woodland View
woodland view is a small woodland creation site positioned on a
drumlin on the outer edge of Bowtown housing estate on the SE edge
of the town of Newtownards in County Down, N Ireland. It is flanked
by Abbot Drive/Bowtown Housing Estate, and housing at Eastmount off
the Bowtown Road. New housing is presently being built adjacent to
the site and Castle Gardens Primary School has relocated to a newly
built school on the opposite side of the Bowtown Road. Housing will
soon surround the site and this edge of the town will continue to
expand outwards.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive gifted the land in 1997 as
one of the 50 Woods On Your Doorstep (WoyD) sites in Northern
Ireland. The development and first 5 years maintenance of the 50
sites was 50% funded by the Millennium Commission.
The agricultural land, most of the site had been maintained as
grass with a twice yearly cut for 25 years by the Housing
Executive. Following consultation with the local community,
facilitated by Bowtown Residents Association, the 3.76 ha site was
planted in 1998/99. Volunteers from Bryson House Urban
Environmental Unit, contractors and the local community planted it.
Planted with a mixture of native broadleaved trees dominated by
oak, a few Horse Chestnut have been planted at the
community’s request. Forest Service provided a Woodland Grant
Scheme grant for the planting.
Public access is integral to this WoyD site. A circular grass
path network was drawn up in consultation with the local community
and following lines of preference. Access is gained from Abbot
Drive. Forest Service granted community Woodland Supplement for the
whole site.
Each WoyD site had a feature created to mark and celebrate the
millennium. In Woodland View this is an open area at the top of the
hill with a panoramic view over Strangford Lough and to Scrabo
Hill. In the centre of this area is an upright log with a face made
up of bronze oak leaf shapes. Artist Betty Newman-Maguire created
it in the winter of 2001/2002. Unfortunately the face has long
disappeared and only the log remains.
Ellie's Cache
This is my first Cache so any suggestions are welcome. The cache
is a medium sized tab loc box and contains the usually swaps and
log book and a small suprise for the FTF. I am also going to
include my first trackable in the cache to be moved on. The cache
is quite well hidden in a camo bag for extra protection to the
elements. Please use discretion when retrieving and replacing as
this area is frequented by dog walkers and kids who like to play in
the area. Also please ensure you replace the cache where you found
it to avoid accidental discovery. Thanks.
Enjoy!!!