as a keen amateur naturalist and botanist, i find the dire and rapidly deteriorating state of our environment in armagh to be very depressing. The flora and fauna of our countryside is extremely limited. those green field are monocultures of rye grass, tree coverage is the lowest in europe, orchards are lovely to look at but multiply pressure-sprayed with pesticide, our insect populations are crashing, the remaining last corners of interesting wetland, etc, are ripped up and drained by the ubiquitous JCB, hedges are flayed in the nesting season. pavements, gutters and urban wate areas are at least a great source of botanical interest if you look carefully. are we suggesting that the council should soak our pavements with glyphosate? our politicians don't seem to have insight into environmental issues, or intent to monitor and police environmental damage. time for more scientists in the political arena! martin smith
Just had a walk in our local park area and enjoyed seeing how the wild flowers are in abundance this month.
Much more of a challenge is the all year round disregard for litter baskets. Even worse is broken glass which can be left outside your gate or near children’s play areas. This is a real scourge and reverts badly on our community.
Sorry but I think all this concern for the environment is just an excuse, the state of some residential areas is a disgrace and it is no wonder people are asking why we pay rates. Would they leave the mall in that state?
People need to start realising that the council aren't responsible for everything that happens in our towns / villages and estates. We need to start realising that there are other government bodies to blame here as well. I think if people actually started to research what departments carry out what services and adjust their language accordingly instead of just saying "the council" it might help. Council staff in some departments are overstretched and understaffed - usually those who are on the ground doing the actual work we can see. Some individuals love to demonise the council and their workers and don't appreciate what IS done for them.
The concept of no mow May is a great idea, as pointed out it is important to provide opportunities for pollinating species. However the council takes the policy to be "do nothing may" open stretches of grass on roadsides and odd little untouched areas (end of paths and unconcreted, paths etc) are fine and serve as the intended habitats. However plants sporadically sprouting at road/path margins or along pathways abutted by buildings, serve no valuable purpose to habitat and biodiversity , merely creating unkempt and unloved appearance. But are a testament to the scrimping of the council and a neglect of the district in favour of their money hoarding strategies.
The result is irritating residents and the cries of why and what do we pay rates for goes up.
A simple bit of extra habitat could be provided with additional planters and hanging baskets to actually encourage early pollinators.
I live in Shankill estate in Lurgan & the grass throughout the estate is a disgrace. My late father worked as a charge hand with a Housing Executive grass cutting maintenance squad & would be raging to see the state of the area! It hasn't been cut in weeks! An absolute disgrace!
as a keen amateur naturalist and botanist, i find the dire and rapidly deteriorating state of our environment in armagh to be very depressing. The flora and fauna of our countryside is extremely limited. those green field are monocultures of rye grass, tree coverage is the lowest in europe, orchards are lovely to look at but multiply pressure-sprayed with pesticide, our insect populations are crashing, the remaining last corners of interesting wetland, etc, are ripped up and drained by the ubiquitous JCB, hedges are flayed in the nesting season. pavements, gutters and urban wate areas are at least a great source of botanical interest if you look carefully. are we suggesting that the council should soak our pavements with glyphosate? our politicians don't seem to have insight into environmental issues, or intent to monitor and police environmental damage. time for more scientists in the political arena! martin smith
No mow May is good....
Leave it, weeds along a grass verge are very important to our pollinators, it may be a little unsightly but it isn’t doing anyone any harm.
Leave it for the bees. I would extend no mow until autumn and stop spraying weed killer
It's fine on grass verges but footpaths and kerbs need to be kept weed free
Just had a walk in our local park area and enjoyed seeing how the wild flowers are in abundance this month.
Much more of a challenge is the all year round disregard for litter baskets. Even worse is broken glass which can be left outside your gate or near children’s play areas. This is a real scourge and reverts badly on our community.
Sorry but I think all this concern for the environment is just an excuse, the state of some residential areas is a disgrace and it is no wonder people are asking why we pay rates. Would they leave the mall in that state?
People need to start realising that the council aren't responsible for everything that happens in our towns / villages and estates. We need to start realising that there are other government bodies to blame here as well. I think if people actually started to research what departments carry out what services and adjust their language accordingly instead of just saying "the council" it might help. Council staff in some departments are overstretched and understaffed - usually those who are on the ground doing the actual work we can see. Some individuals love to demonise the council and their workers and don't appreciate what IS done for them.
The concept of no mow May is a great idea, as pointed out it is important to provide opportunities for pollinating species. However the council takes the policy to be "do nothing may" open stretches of grass on roadsides and odd little untouched areas (end of paths and unconcreted, paths etc) are fine and serve as the intended habitats. However plants sporadically sprouting at road/path margins or along pathways abutted by buildings, serve no valuable purpose to habitat and biodiversity , merely creating unkempt and unloved appearance. But are a testament to the scrimping of the council and a neglect of the district in favour of their money hoarding strategies.
The result is irritating residents and the cries of why and what do we pay rates for goes up.
A simple bit of extra habitat could be provided with additional planters and hanging baskets to actually encourage early pollinators.
Don’t mow grass but remove the weeds along kerbs etc.
I live in Shankill estate in Lurgan & the grass throughout the estate is a disgrace. My late father worked as a charge hand with a Housing Executive grass cutting maintenance squad & would be raging to see the state of the area! It hasn't been cut in weeks! An absolute disgrace!