River trail and library launched in Newmills

A TRAIL running alongside the Torrent River and a red phone box ‘lending library’ have both been launched at a special event in Newmills.

Organised by the village’s Wildlife Gardening Club, it was attended by Councillor Dominic Molloy and Councillor Meta Graham – the current Chair and Deputy Chair respectively of Mid Ulster District Council.

The new river trail was developed to connect the existing Newmills Community Garden to the Newmills aqueduct and provide a safe walking route for the local community to use, while affording scenic views of the Torrent River.

The phone box ‘library’ is an exciting development for the village and has seen an old-style red telephone box being installed in the community garden, which will be used as a ‘lending library’ where local people can visit and exchange books and DVDs.

Commenting on the opening of the two new features, Andy Griggs, the group’s chair, said, “We are delighted to have been able to develop and launch these new community assets with the fantastic support from Wrights Tyres and Mid Ulster District Council.

“These have helped us to continue to enhance the Newmills Community Garden and develop a range of activities that help make positive contributions to local wildlife, have positive impacts on the health and well-being of local people and instil a sense of community spirit and pride in the area whilst allowing access to a local green space and volunteering opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.”

The Newmills Wildlife Gardening Club was set up in 2018 to help maintain and develop a local community garden in the heart of the village.

The group’s aims are to foster a sense of civic pride and stewardship in the local area by those involved directly in the work as well as the wider community.