Issue 235 - East Down BT24 • BT30 • BT31 • BT33
Free pilates taster sessions for carers
Carers Week will be celebrated in the Newry and Mourne area from 5-11th June.
Dr Sally Montgomery, Northern Ireland Committee Member for The National Lottery Heritage Fund with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage and participants who enjoyed a final morning exploring the ‘small places’ of Slieve Gullion Forest Park, looking for the three dragon species.
Dragons in the Hills Project Comes to an End
Over the last three years, the Dragons in the Hills project has sought to discover more about Northern Ireland’s little dragons – our three native amphibians and reptiles: common frog, common lizard and smooth newt. The project, which is led by Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and The Herpetological Society of Ireland, is now drawing to a close. Through £100,000 of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it has worked to improve our understanding of these beautiful but poorly understood animals across The Ring of Gullion, the Mourne Mountains and
the Strangford and Lecale AONBs. Participants from all walks of life have got involved over the last three years, including students from 12 local schools, members from community groups and people from the business sector. Through a number of outreach events and field trips, they have helped to explore and study these creatures and their habitats and learn about the importance of conservation and monitoring. To
celebrate the programme’s success, recently the participants enjoyed a final morning exploring the ‘small places’ of Slieve Gullion Forest Park, looking for the three dragon species and taking part in some fantastic environmental games and activities. Dr Sally Montgomery, Northern Ireland Committee Member for The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “We know that nature is incredibly important to National Lottery
players, and this funding for the Dragons in the Hills project means that they can play their part in preserving Northern Ireland’s significant and varied wildlife. We’re incredibly proud to be playing a role in ensuring our natural heritage is safeguarded for generations to come, but also that the projects we fund give people the chance to connect with the nature and wildlife that is on their doorsteps.”
As part of the Month of Community, FREE workshops are on offer to those who have a caring responsibility. These free pilates sessons will take place at Market House, Ballynahinch on Monday 5 June from 10.00am – 11.00am or Thursday 8 June from 10.00am – 11.00am In association with Carers Week these workshops are on offer to those who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction etc. No fitness
or experience is needed and it is suitable for all ages and mats will be provided for all attendees. Pre-Booking is essential as only Limited spaces are available. To record your interest please complete the registration form via the Link: https://forms.office. com/e/4ZVpyqRJ6G Month of Community is a time when we celebrate everything that makes our communities great. For more information see: https://www. v o l u n t e e r n o w. c o . u k / month-of-community/