Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley is joined by Amy Rose and Harry McMillan from Maghaberry Primary School to plant trees in Wallace Park following the winter storm damage.

The Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley, was recently joined by Amy Rose and Harry McMillan from Maghaberry Primary School, to plant new trees in Wallace Park following damage caused by recent winter storms.

Alderman Tinsley explains: “The Council took the decision to replace every tree that was removed or damaged due to storms or routine thinning with two new trees, where possible. Storms Ophelia, Eleanor and Dylan wreaked havoc right across the island of Ireland with devastating consequences and the Council’s parks did not escape.

“Unfortunately we lost a number of trees in Wallace Park and Moira Demesne and other green spaces throughout the area. The Council’s Leisure & Community Wellbeing staff assessed the situation and had to take remedial action for the trees that were deemed dangerous. It was upsetting to lose the trees, some of which were hundreds of years old, but we must be thankful that no harm was caused to the public. We pride ourselves on our beautiful parks and the Council is pleased to maintain this for future generations to come. Getting the local school children involved in the tree planting means they feel a part of this very important restoration project and I would like to thank Maghaberry Primary School for coming along and helping out,” he concluded.

The Council has planted a range of deciduous trees in Wallace Park including oak, hornbeam, birch and lime and plans to carry out similar tree planting in Moira Demesne and other affected areas over the following weeks.