Genuine help needed if Castlewellan arboretum plan is to be a success

SIR, — I was very pleased to see Sinn Fein representatives publicly supporting those that have been working on the idea of a project to restore Castlewellan Arboretum.

If this is a genuine attempt it could be very significant because we in Castlewellan Regeneration were not able, after several representations to get the former Sinn Fein minister for the Department of Agriculture and Regional Development to do anything to help at all. What has been happening to the Forest Service and Castlewellan Arboretum in particular has been nothing short of disgraceful. Good, well trained and experienced staff have, over the past few years, been laid off and the work force reduced to such a point that that they are just not capable of keeping the forest parks to a decent standard.

Our forest parks are an increasingly important resource for our local community and for our tourist trade. The Arboretum is especially so. This important collection of trees and plants is on an international scale of importance. In this age of growing interest in gardening the Arboretum as a tourist draw is very significant.

The glasshouses, which have been allowed to fall into ruin, are a similar tragic story. We put a proposal to the former minister that a partnership between Castlewellan Regeneration Ltd, Forest Service and Down Council could be created that would have levered money to have them restored. Matched with a Council Allotment scheme we could have created a sustainable long term project with one supporting the other and that would have been a great start for the whole Arboretum.

But again the Sinn Fein minister failed to show any interest. I hope now that if there is a genuine change in Sinn Fein policy and approach then the current minister might be persuaded to do something to bring the project on. We already have the support of our M.P. Margaret Ritchie who has been incredible helpful already and support from MLAs and councillors.

We in Castlewellan Regeneration would be pleased to see this project taken forward where those who have been working on it for years already would be recognised and that all groups and political parties would give their support to it.

Yours etc.,

CLLR. EAMONN O’NEILL,

Castlewellan.