NURSING FOREST GARDENS
Forest gardens are an environmentally and economically profitable way forward for farmers, according to the Centre for Environmental Living and Training (Celt) in Scariff, Co Clare. Formally known as agroforestry, the system uses the land for growing trees, food crops and or livestock grazing. "It derives from the ancient system of forest gardens whereby the trees provide shelter, shade, sun-traps and nutrients (drawn up through their roots from the sub-soil)," says Bob Wilson, founder member of Celt and director of the Clare Biodiversity Group. Celt is encouraging landowners to take up agroforestry practices and a native tree nursery has been established. Agroforestry is not part of Irish forestry policy. www.celtnet.org
GRAFFITI CLEANUP
Over 700 sq m of graffiti has been removed from 115 locations in Dublin city centre since early December. It was organised by Dublin City Business Improvement District (Bid), a new association working on behalf of businesses operating from Parnell St to St Stephen’s Green. Over 2,500 businesses in the area pay an extra levy on their rates for the service and Bid in turn pays for the additional cleaning it recommends. Businesses must give permission for graffiti to be removed from their premises. Dublin City Council is responsible for the removal of graffiti from public buildings but private businesses must organise for the removal from their own buildings. See dublincitybid.ie or call 01-6334680.
FABULOUS FOLLIES
The Follies Trust was set up in 2006 by a group of people who share a passion for Follies (an ornamental building purely for decoration), which are to be found in country house gardens, towns and cities. Partly because they serve no obvious useful purpose, these structures often fall into ruin. One of the chief aims of the Follies Trust is to encourage the conservation, restoration and protection of these buildings in their original setting. It also aims to promote traditional construction skills.
Its first project is the restoration of three mausolea in Knockbreda churchyard in Belfast. The trust also organises a series of lectures in Dublin and Lisburn. The next lecture takes place in the Coach House, Dublin Castle on Monday at 7.30pm. www.follies-trust.org
ECOWEB
www.ecofarm.ie
Check out this website for information on an unusual organic food production training course held over eight weekends on Clare Island, Co Mayo. The course will be run by Christophe Mouze and will cover growing vegetables and fruit in gardens and polytunnels. Participants can choose to avail of full board with organic vegetarian meals on the island farm during the course.
