slievenacloy

Few artists underestimate the value of a sketch; one I viewed recently proved particularly effective. The drawing, a lovely sketch of a Butterfly Orchid was lifted out of a bin by Mike Meharg at the end of a car boot sale to raise funds for the Ulster Wildlife Trust. Unsigned and crumpled up it contained some field notes referring to Slievenacloy, a special place high in the Belfast hills. Mike placed the drawing beneath his hearthrug to straighten out the creases and forgot all about it. Four years later the forestry commission purchased Slievenacloy and submitted plans to plant it out with conifers, Mike Meharg then working as an EHS Officer attended the annual Forest District Conservation Committee meeting and was asked to comment on the submission; remembering the sketch he registered a concern that the site might be of interest; back at the office he hoked out an old file that briefly mentioned wildflowers and butterflies but it was not until a full survey of the Belfast hills was requested that Slievenacloy was identified as a prime example of species rich grassland. The chain of events initiated by the sketch eventually led to the area being declared an ASSI and its subsequent purchase by the Ulster Wildlife Trust. I recently attended the official opening, it's a place I know very well and the warm weather was a pleasant change from its usual misty garb. The orchid sketch, now signed, framed and taking pride of place turned out to be by Raymond Piper an artist with a deep affection and knowledge of wild Orchids who has spent a lifetime discovering and recording specimens. Raymond Piper was delighted that his drawing had gone on to have a life of its own and act as the catalyst for the sites preservation. My own drawing is of the Common Spotted Orchid one of the eight species found growing in the reserve and three of the cows whose numbers are carefully controlled to maintain the habitat. The beauty and attraction of orchids is that each individual plant is unique, varying in colour and shape indeed the same can be said of the cows.
If you are interested in a painting you can contact Eamonn by ringing 07962 189132

A sketch by Raymond Piper
Few artists underestimate the value of a sketch; one I viewed recently proved particularly effective. The drawing, a lovely sketch of a Butterfly Orchid was lifted out of a bin by Mike Meharg at the end of a car boot sale to raise funds for the Ulster Wildlife Trust. Unsigned and crumpled up it contained some field notes referring to Slievenacloy, a special place high in the Belfast hills. Mike placed the drawing beneath his hearthrug to straighten out the creases and forgot all about it. Four years later the forestry commission purchased Slievenacloy and submitted plans to plant it out with conifers, Mike Meharg then working as an EHS Officer attended the annual Forest District Conservation Committee meeting and was asked to comment on the submission; remembering the sketch he registered a concern that the site might be of interest; back at the office he hoked out an old file that briefly mentioned wildflowers and butterflies but it was not until a full survey of the Belfast hills was requested that Slievenacloy was identified as a prime example of species rich grassland. The chain of events initiated by the sketch eventually led to the area being declared an ASSI and its subsequent purchase by the Ulster Wildlife Trust. I recently attended the official opening, it's a place I know very well and the warm weather was a pleasant change from its usual misty garb. The orchid sketch, now signed, framed and taking pride of place turned out to be by Raymond Piper an artist with a deep affection and knowledge of wild Orchids who has spent a lifetime discovering and recording specimens. Raymond Piper was delighted that his drawing had gone on to have a life of its own and act as the catalyst for the sites preservation. My own drawing is of the Common Spotted Orchid one of the eight species found growing in the reserve and three of the cows whose numbers are carefully controlled to maintain the habitat. The beauty and attraction of orchids is that each individual plant is unique, varying in colour and shape indeed the same can be said of the cows. If you are interested in a painting you can contact Eamonn by ringing 07962 189132

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