The Big Christmas Walk

The EastSide Greenways Project, in the heart of East Belfast, has created trails and maps to encourage visitors and locals to learn about the vast history of the area and to visit the Connswater Community Greenway, a 16km of continuous cycle and walkway through east Belfast.
On The Big Christmas Walk, Lynette Fay and Barra Best begin in the C.S.Lewis Square, a tribute to the East Belfast born writer of the Narnia chronicles, where they meet Jacqueline O'Hagan Manager for Eastside Greenways and talk to Stephen and Jenny Beggs, two local actors who are playing Mr and Mrs Beaver from "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and hear from the East Side Rock Choir performing "I Wish it could be Christmas everyday".

They walk along part of the Greenways, meet some local people, learn about the history and wildlife of the Connswater, Loop and Knock rivers, and even try to spot an illusive Kingfisher that live in Orangefield Park while talking to local historian Aidan Campbell! They hear how the Connswater River was moved in an extensive flood alleviation scheme and, with the sound of East Belfast acclaimed singer songwriter Van Morrison's song "Brown Eyed Girl" in their heads, they stroll down to "The Hollow" where the three rivers converge and meet Jack Harrison from the Bloomfield Community Association who grew up around the corner. They finish their walk by taking in the view of the Harland & Wolff's cranes as they walk the Flora Street Walkway and head back to CS Lewis Square.

All that plus plenty of seasonal tunes and Van Morrison tracks.

Barra Best and Lynette Fay take a seasonal stroll on East Belfast Community Greenways.

On The Big Christmas Walk, Lynette Fay and Barra Best walk along the Greenways, meet the people and volunteers behind the walking tours, learn about the history and wildlife of the Connswater, Loop and Knock rivers, find out about the rich biodiversity, the reedbeds and mudflats and even try to spot an illusive Kingfisher that live in Orangefield Park! They hear how the Connswater River was moved in an extensive flood alleviation scheme. With the sound of East Belfast acclaimed singer songwriter Van Morrison's song 'Brown Eyed Girl' in their heads, they stroll down to 'The Hollow' where three rivers converge and cross the Beersbridge Road outside Van the Man's old primary school, Elmgrove, to take in the view of Harland & Woolf's cranes as they walk the Flora Street Walkway.

Their walk begins and ends in the Narnia inspired C.S.Lewis Square, a tribute to the East Belfast born writer of the Narnia chronicles, where they meet traders at the festive market, hear about the linen mills, the Belfast Ropeworks company and get to talk to Mr and Mrs Beaver from 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe'.

Barra Best and Lynette Fay take a seasonal stroll on East Belfast Community Greenways.

BBC Radio Ulster presenters Barra Best and Lynette Fay pull on their walking boots (and Santa hats!) for a Christmas walk along the Community Greenways in East Belfast.