Feb 2012

		01	Eco Schools Celebration Event 2012 Thursday 2nd February The Canal Court Hotel, Newry see table above 02	Glasswork Stained or Otherwise Friday 3rd February Monuments and Buildings Record Public Reading Room, Waterman House, Hill Street Free 03	Snowdrop Walks Saturday 4th February The Argory, Moy Normal Admission, Members Free Strangford Lough and Lecale People and Landscape Roadshow Saturday 4th February Poratferry – Exploris Aquarium (includes free admission to Exploris) Free 04	Be Wild about Wildlife Beginner Birding Seabirds Sunday 5th February Murlough NNR Adult £5 Sunday Snowdrops Sunday 5th February Springhill, Moneymore Normal Admission, Members Free 05
06	Marine Economy and the Atlantic Area Strategy Tuesday 7th February Grand Hotel, Malahide Free Stakeholder Roadshows in Greenmount Tuesday 7th February Conference Hall, Greenmount Campus, County Antrim Free 07	08	09	10	2nd of the Strangford Lough and Lecale People and Landscape Roadshows Saturday 11th February St Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick Free 11	Pond Improvements Sunday 12th February Lagan Valley Regional Park at Lester’s Dam Free 12
13	14	Series of Talks for 2012 Wednesday 15th February Share Centre, Lisnaskea No charge, donations welcome 15	The Impacts of Climate Change on Northern Ireland Thursday 16th February Greenmount College, Antrim Free Stakeholder Roadshows in Enniskillen Thursday 16th February Main Hall, Enniskillen Campus, County Fermanagh Free 16	17	Plant a Tree Day Saturday 18th February Orlock, Groomsport No charge, donations welcome Grass Roots AGM Saturday 18th February Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church Hall, Ormeau Road, Belfast Free 3rd of the Strangford Lough and Lecale People and Landscape Roadshows Saturday 18th February Newtownards, Town Hall Free entry for registerd walkers Viking Crafts Saturday 18th February Down County Museum £3 18	Bird Box Day Sunday 19th February Springhill, Moneymore Normal Admission, Members Free Snowdrop Walk Sunday 19th February Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House Normal Admission, Members Free Seed Swap Sunday Sunday 19th February Redburn Community Centre Jackson’s Road, Holywood Voluntary Donation of 50p 19
20	The Impact of Volunteering on Quality of Life Tuesday 21st February Training Room, Volunteer Now, 34 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast. Free Stakeholder Roadshows in Markethill Tuesday 21st February The Courtrooms, Markethill, County Armagh Free 21	Practical On farm Renewable Energy event Wednesday 22nd February Greenmount Campus Series of Talks for 2012 Wednesday 22nd February Bannagh Hall Kesh No charge, donations welcome Wildflower Projects, Training Workshop Wednesday 22nd February Inverbrena Hall, Strangford £75 +VAT RCN Member Training Wednesday 22nd February RCN offices, 38a Oldtown Street, Cookstown Free 22	Asset Transfer Thursday 23rd February Farset International Centre, Springfield Road, Belfast Free 23	24	4th of the Strangford Lough and Lecale People and Landscape Roadshows Saturday 25th February The Bridge Centre, Killyleagh Free Plant you Tree for the Jubilee Saturday 25th February Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood Free 25	Pond Improvements Sunday 26th February Dyan Mill near Caledon Free 26
Excavations at a newly discovered 16 –17c fort at Ballycarry Monday 27th February Lecture Theatre, School of Geography, Elmwood Building Free 27	Stakeholder Roadshows in Claudy Tuesday 28th February Main Hall, Diamond Centre, Claudy Free Belfast, a Child Friendly City Tuesday 28th February Belfast City Hall Free 28	29

RDS Allotment Awards 1 May 2012

Applications are now open for this year’s RDS Allotment Awards. Now in their third year, the awards have a total prize fund of €3,000 and strengthen the Society’s commitment to promoting bio–diversity in Ireland. The Awards aim to recognise the hard work, dedication and attention to detail that is being undertaken by those involved in allotment gardening.

The first award recognises the individual allotment gardener and is divided into two categories: Experienced and Novice Gardener. The winner in each category will receive €500 and an RDS Silver Medal. The runner–up will be awarded €300 and third place €200.

The second award recognises the work of allotment providers and is open to local authorities, allotment societies, community gardening groups and individuals who are providing allotments. The winner of this award will receive a cheque for €1,000 and an RDS Silver Medal.

Closing date for entries is Friday, June 8, 2012. To apply, simply fill in the attached form and return it to me by post or email. Please pass this on to any allotment providers or gardeners who you think might be interested in applying.

For more information see http://www.rds.ie/cat_project_detail.jsp?itemID=308412