Newsletter 17 May 2024
Clean Air Workshop
Next Saturday we are pleased to host a Clean Air Workshop in association with UCC in our Allotment.
This will be a very interesting Workshop which will include a brief intro and description of the project. Stories of Air Quality from our community. Details of the Air Quality In Ballincollig based on data received from monitors and show the key pollutants.
Nature, biodiversity and how they fight air pollution but also how air pollution can impact biodiversity.
It promises to be a very interesting and important workshop.
Refreshments will be available.
Why???
This week at our Monthly Committee Meeting we praised the residents of Coolroe Meadows and Greenfields for the magnificent way their greens look and the way that since their contractor stopped using spray around the base of the trees and kerbsides. We were then advised to look at another section of an Estate where the contractor sprayed without any problem or consideration for the environment and that Ballincollig and Cork City Council do not use herbicide to kill grass/weeds. The difference is incredible but the damage is huge. Residents who employ these contractors have to lay down conditions to them and what they want. Coolroe Meadows and Greenfields did this and their areas have certainly not dis improved if anything they look much better and pollinator activity has increased significantly which is exactly what we all need to be doing. The end of this story is a positive one in that the contractor involved had a very positive conversation with a representative from BTT and they assured us that they will no longer be using spray.
🐝 World Bee Day 🐝
Come along join the World Bee Day on this Sunday near the playground in The Regional Park at 1pm
Darkness into Light 2024
Darkness into Light Ballincollig 2024 was another fantastic success. The photos show a section of the large crowd coming down Main Street and the second an hour later and nothing except a lovely dawn. Well done to the involved in making this amazing event so meaningful.
Garda Coffee Morning
Last Friday morning we were invited into Ballincollig Garda Station to receive half of the proceeds from their recent community coffee morning in the station on behalf of Ballincollig Tidy Towns and The Field of Dreams.
We were delighted to receive a very substantial donation of €2118.00 from the staff at Ballincollig Garda Station. Our sincere thanks to everyone involved in organising this wonderful event and to all those who contributed.
Sustainability in Action Campaign
We were proud to be involved with AIB Ballincollig this week with their Sustainability in Action Campaign. Our volunteers got very good feedback and support from customers in the bank. Our thanks to the Staff in Ballincollig for this opportunity.
Busy Bees 🐝
This week as we worked in the allotment we noticed a lot of activity around the Solitary Bee Posts which were being put in the ground this week. When we investigated we noticed that the bees were not waiting and have been very busy going in and out of the holes in the posts depositing and sealing the holes. We sought advice from Pat Deasy from Irish Bee Conservation Project https://www.ibcp.ie/
Pat explained exactly what the bees were doing and for us to wait for a week or so to move the posts. Watching the bees at work has been enthralling and also shows the importance of supporting IBCP in their efforts.
Worknights Continue
Our worknights continued last Thursday evening but unfortunately had to be postponed believe it or not because of torrential rain on Tuesday. We finished preparing the two new beds and are now reading for planting. We also got the first cut of the grass with the assistance of local company and supporter of BTT O’Donovan Agri Environmental.
The weather has not been favourable but hopefully we will get back on track next week.
Weekly Litter Pick
On Sunday Morning we had 20 volunteers plus 3 Transition Year Students plus our youngest member Dylan.
A total of 9 bags of litter was collected by Pat one of which was from during the week.
9 bags litter collected. We also collected 1 bag of glass bottles.
Denis was busy with the TY Students putting compost around the orchards at Cleburne Mews and then emptying the cigarette and gum bins throughout Ballincollig.
Cork City Biodiversity Week
Biodiversity Week starts tomorrow Friday 17th May to Sunday 26th May
Click here for the leaflet with the Programme of Events for the week.
This is a Week to celebrate Biodiversity within Cork City and a chance like minded people throughout the week.
Cork City Community Newsletter
Wednesday 15th May 2024
To open the Newsletter click HERE