Tales of the Riverbank
Many of you 60’s and 70’s children may well remember, fondly or otherwise, the antics of Hammy Hamster, Roderick the Water Rat, Turtle, The Owl and others who prowled the banks of a riverbank in East Ayshire, with a narrator cleverly describing their ‘Tales of the Riverbank’.
As you reflect on that programme of over 40 years, maybe that will be the perfect link to thinking how much life has changed around the River Lagan in recent years. Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA has prioritised the creation of vibrant cities, towns and urban areas. The River Lagan is an integral part of this as it flows through at least 2 major cities in Northern Ireland.
 For years many remember the Lagan as a smelly old place. During the summer no one wanted to go through the Stranmillis, Ormeau, Annadale or Holylands areas. To many who lived close by, the smell must have been unbearable. It took a long time but eventually the problems were identified and a remedy sought. Almost no wildlife existed around the Lagan, people didn’t dare go near it. According to Laganside the company that took charge of the project; on their website they believe this was all because of the dangerous gases that existed in the bed of the river. Decomposition was taking place in the mud on the river bed, as the water levels lowered and the temperature got higher, the smell got even worse.
 Much work has been done over the years. The Lagan Weir was built which helped to control the water levels. This was one of the biggest engineering projects carried out in Northern Ireland at the time. The river bed was dredged, Aeration systems installed, river management upgraded and pontoons erected along the river bank for people to launch their boats and to accommodate the now ever growing number of boat clubs between the Weir and Stranmillis. Paying a visit to the river Lagan recently was an education in itself. Cruising up towards Stranmillis from the Lagan Weir fish can be seen swimming around in the not so murky waters, bubbles from the aeration system revealed their location and one of the nicest parts of the journey was watching the Heron, lets call him Henry, as it flew around inches from the water’s surface.
 Our group also managed to spot a head breaking the water surface as a little otter pointed an enquiring eye towards the culprits who broke the silence as they cut through the mist just beside the Belfast Boat Club. He or she. Didn’t take their eyes off us until we headed back citywards and out of sight. And so to work. The purpose of the visit was to take photos for a publication about tide times and courtesy on the river, such as which part of the bridge a boat should go under without touching the bottom of the river. Its at this point it suddenly does dawn on you how different things are on the river.
The is a stark contrast of the deafening early morning traffic, often drowned out by a variety of breakfast radio shows and the peacefully quiet and tranquility of the river Lagan, on this morning. Its own foundation of morning mist lends to the mystery and beauty of what was once a smelly eyesore to some.
The Department for Social Development has taken on the responsibilities for Laganside, integrating it with other projects under the watchful eye and management of the Regeneration Directorate.
 Events and further development of the area will be ongoing. Maybe Henry the Heron will attract a few more birds and wildlife to the riverbank, maybe the otter will be the founder of a new wildlife holiday resort for similar creatures. Next time you drive past the Lagan, its Weir lets appreciate what has been done or anticipate what is still to come for the area. Will Hammy Hamster ever pay a visit to the banks of the lagan?...... Well, that’s another story. |
