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Officially opening Enniskillen Eco-Island Project on Cherry Island are Carol Follis, Groundwork Northern Ireland; Cllr. Thomas O’Reilly, Chairman, Fermanagh District Council; and Jim Masterson, Store Manager, M&S, Enniskillen.
An island in the heart of Enniskillen has been transformed into a nature lovers retreat thanks to a partnership project between Fermanagh District Council, M&S Greener Living Spaces Fund, and Groundwork Northern Ireland.
A new canoe jetty and slipway, picnic benches, improved path surfaces, creation of a butterfly garden, planting of native bulbs and the installation of an interpretative panel with information on biodiversity and climate change, has helped breathe new life into Cherry Island which is located beside Johnston Bridge in Enniskillen, within the town’s urban centre.
Officially opening Cherry Island, Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said:
“I am delighted to see the redevelopment of such a wonderful public amenity in Enniskillen which provides a natural and accessible green space in an urban centre for locals and visitors alike. This project would not have been possible without funding from the M&S Greener Living Spaces Fund, Fermanagh District Council and Groundwork Northern Ireland.”
Jim Masterson, M&S Enniskillen Store Manager, said:
“We’ve seen the Cherry Island project develop over recent months and are delighted to celebrate the rejuvenation of what was a neglected and uninspiring urban green island space in Enniskillen.
Carrier bag charging is helping our customers to cut down on the number of carrier bags they use, but if they do need to use one they can be assured that all the profits from their 5p will be invested in good causes.
Over 80% of our customers now bring their own bags with them when they shop with us and the ones that don't have helped fund 100 Greener Living Spaces across UK. These fantastic outcomes prove that bold decisions have the biggest impact when it comes to the environment."
Carol Follis, Senior Project Development Officer, Groundwork Northern Ireland, added:
“Groundwork Northern Ireland is particularly delighted to be involved in this project which has transformed Cherry Island into an attractive outdoor resource in Enniskillen. We would like to play tribute to Marks and Spencer and Fermanagh District Council for their partnership approach in implementing this project.”
Cherry Island is accessible to pedestrians from Johnston Bridge or alternatively by canoe from the newly installed jetty on the island. It is Enniskillen’s first eco-island project, helping raise awareness of Biodiversity in County Fermanagh and the issue of climate change.
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