Gracehill Village Gracehill Village

The initial aim was to develop a walk that included God’s Acre providing easy access to the historic, unique and beautiful surrounding area. In 2011 prior to a visit by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall an adjacent area for potential woodland planting had been identified and this was to be known as Jubilee Wood in honour of HM The Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012, access to the land having been kindly granted by the owner, Lt. Cmdr. George Spencer RN Retd. This area added to the neighbouring woodland already planted by Gracehill Primary School. Over 1000 trees were planted in the area and it was agreed any path should include Jubilee Wood.

In 2014 GhOST and Gracehill Moravian Church began work to explore opportunities to connect old pathways around the village and look at the route any such path might take. Funding to commission studies was obtained from “The Challenge Fund” which at that time distributed money raised from “the plastic bag tax” to environmental projects in Northern Ireland.

A feasibility study and plans were developed with the assistance of a tree specialist, Dr Philip Blackstock and landscape architects.  It was particularly pleasing that the landscape architect involved was Mr Norman (Barney) Graham of MWA Partnership as he had been involved in the first study in 1996!

Given that this was potentially a very significant intervention in the original planned Settlement great care was taken to ensure proposals would not detract from the historic environment and unique atmosphere. Happily plans were eventually produced which brought together long overgrown paths, bits of unused land and previously inaccessible but beautiful areas.

Conservation Area and new walking loop – Bishop’s Walk

These plans highlighted the opportunities and potential for improving access to the natural and historic environment with resultant benefits for health & wellbeing, tourism and the economy. They also proposed enhancements to the setting of the village promoting the development of safe and easier access to a historic and beautiful natural area thereby encouraging people to walk and enjoy the special space. By linking woodland areas the habitat would be enhanced and there would be the opportunity for  local school children to appreciate trees and the woodland generally as a living ecosystem with both old and new trees.

After public meetings and discussions the plans were subsequently approved by the Education Authority, Gracehill Moravian Church Council and local landowners. An area of land was purchased from the Education Authority, access to another piece of land was donated and other areas were the subject of legal agreements.

Gracehill Moravian Church Council gave permission for construction of the section of path as detailed at the bottom of God’s Acre (a permissive path agreement) and for associated access and work on trees overhanging any sections of the path.

By now Ballymena Borough Council had become the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) and a new “Gracehill Village plan 2017-2022” was produced.  MEABC were developing a programme of Village Renewal Schemes and as part of the new village plan an ultimately successful application for funding for “The Gracehill Walking loop” was submitted.

With all planning and legal permissions in place and funding secured, work began in early 2020 to develop the path. Work was interrupted by the Corona Virus Pandemic but subsequently the pathway was completed by September 2020 at a cost of approximately £120,000.

Mindful of the importance of “Place” and “narrative” it was suggested to MEABC that rather than call the new amenity “Gracehill Walking loop” the names of the existing paths should be highlighted with appropriate signage.  MEABC were supportive of this suggestion and also warmly welcomed and accepted the proposal that the new section of pathway be named Bishop’s Walk in celebration of the consecration of the Rt Rev Sarah Groves in November 2018. Everyone in Gracehill was delighted!

As we celebrate this wonderful new addition to the village we thank all those who supported and helped over so many years not least MEABC for their generous funding.  Everyone can now benefit from an important amenity that not only promotes wellbeing and regeneration but also enhances the historic environment and helps celebrate another chapter in the ongoing story of the special place that is the Moravian Settlement of Gracehill.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Cllr Peter Johnston, with other Councillors, Council officers and members of the Village Association and Village Guides (2021)