Whitehead Volunteers Tackle Green Lane During Summer Festival Clean-Up

Volunteers joined a guerrilla gardening session at Green Lane in Whitehead as part of the Whitehead Summer Festival 2026. The activity was organised by Windsor Residents Association in collaboration with Whitehead Community Centre.

Volunteers came together to improve Green Lane in Whitehead during a community gardening session held as part of the Whitehead Summer Festival 2026.

The guerrilla gardening activity took place on Saturday 25 July from 11am to 1pm. Participants met at Whitehead Community Centre on Kings Road before making their way to Green Lane.

The event was organised by Windsor Residents Association in collaboration with Whitehead Community Centre and formed part of the wider summer festival programme coordinated by the Whitehead Community Association.

Volunteers Spruce Up Green Lane in Whitehead

Green Lane runs from Chester Avenue between Whitehead Congregational Church and a nearby derelict building.

The area had become overgrown with weeds and vegetation. Volunteers worked along the pathway to clear unwanted growth and improve the appearance of the well-used local route.

The clean-up was led by Ann O’Donnel, Executive Chair of Windsor Residents Association, alongside volunteers including Ann Cameron, Sam from Whitehead Congregational Church and local community volunteer Kerry Irvine.

Yana Tweed, from the Ransevyn, Garden Village and Islandmagee Road Residents Association, was also involved in the community effort.

Japanese Knotweed Area Carefully Avoided

The derelict site beside Green Lane is heavily affected by Japanese knotweed.

Because the invasive plant can spread when cut, broken or disturbed, volunteers avoided working directly within the affected section.

Instead, the group concentrated on clearing other weeds and vegetation from areas where the work could be completed safely.

The knotweed infestation made the task more challenging. However, the volunteers still achieved a visible improvement along the lane.

Part of the Whitehead Summer Festival 2026

The Green Lane clean-up appeared in the Whitehead Summer Festival programme as a Guerrilla Gardening activity.

The programme invited residents to join Windsor Residents Association to spruce up part of Whitehead, meet at the community centre and bring their own gloves.

The festival runs from Saturday 25 July until Saturday 8 August and includes community events, workshops, live music, guided walks, children’s activities, talks and family entertainment.

Updates to the programme are available through the Whitehead Community Association website.

Residents’ Association Supports Community Events

Yana Tweed and volunteers from the Ransevyn, Garden Village and Islandmagee Road Residents Association also support activities across Whitehead.

The group helps organise the annual Santa’s Grotto and the Whitehead Cultural Festival. These events offer entertainment and activities for residents and families from across the area.

The events receive support through funding from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The work of local residents’ associations demonstrates the important role volunteers play in improving public spaces and organising events for the wider community.

Community Groups Working Together

The Green Lane project brought residents, volunteers, church representatives and community organisations together for a practical local improvement.

Projects like this help make shared spaces cleaner and more welcoming. They also encourage residents to take an active role in their neighbourhood.

Anyone interested in future clean-ups or community events can contact Whitehead Community Centre or their local residents’ association.

Useful Links

• Whitehead Community Association and Community Centre
• Whitehead Congregational Church
• Steam Trains Ireland

Residents can support future projects by volunteering, joining local events or contacting Whitehead Community Centre to learn more about upcoming activities.