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Thank You to the Solastalgia Podcast Crew of Queens University Belfast from Quarterlands Group
Dear Solastalgia Podcast Crew,
As we head into year three of our fight to save a small part of the Lagan Valley Regional Park, it’s only fitting to express our deepest gratitude to the incredible team at Queens University Belfast behind the Solastalgia Podcast. Your thoughtful and well-informed podcast highlighting our current situation has not only shed light on our cause but has become a beacon of understanding and inspiration for our community.
From the very beginning, you exhibited a remarkable ability to grasp the intricacies of our fight, capturing the essence of what has motivated a group of friends and neighbors to stand up for the village and landscape we hold dear. Your commitment to thorough research and genuine empathy has turned our local struggle into a narrative that resonates far beyond the borders of our community.
Throughout your podcast series, your interviews and discussions have expertly highlighted the importance of our local Biodiversity and the unique challenges we all face in preserving this natural haven. The passion with which you approached our story has not only amplified our voices but has also fostered a sense of unity among us.
Your understanding of solastalgia, the emotional and existential distress caused by environmental change, added a profound layer to the narrative. By delving into the emotional impact of potential loss, you’ve given a voice to the deep-rooted connection we share with our surroundings—a connection that is often overlooked in the broader conversation about environmental conservation.
We want to express our sincere appreciation for the tireless effort you’ve put into creating a podcast that not only educates but also inspires action. Your ability to blend facts with emotions has touched the hearts of our community members, reinforcing our commitment to the cause.
As we reflect on the past couple of years since we have been keenly aware of the issues in the destruction of our world, it’s evident that your podcast is a catalyst for positive change. The awareness you’ve raised, the connections you’ve fostered, and the support you’ve generated have all played a pivotal role in our ongoing fight.
In conclusion, we extend our deepest thanks to the entire Solastalgia Podcast crew from Queens University Belfast. Your dedication to our cause has been nothing short of remarkable, and we are profoundly grateful for the impact you’ve had on our journey to save a small part of the Lagan Valley Regional Park.
Here’s to another year of resilience, community, and the shared pursuit of preserving the places we call home.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Quarterlands Group
Quarterlands is a grassroots collective made up of friends and neighbours who live in and around the Quarterlands Road, Drumbeg. They have come together as a campaign group to question, resist and hold to account proposed plans from a private “developer”, who wants to build 17 luxury houses on a Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI) within the Lagan Valley Regional Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Discovering flaws and discrepancies in a planning application process that appears to show little regard for the site’s precious biodiversity, the Quarterlands Group is gathering evidence, enlisting expert support and keeping a forensic eye on the planning portal’s document trail.
In this episode, we talk to Roisin, local resident and a member of the Quarterlands group. We discuss the natural beauty and environmental significance of the site, its magnificent old hedge, the way the group formed and mobilised, their encounters with local councillors and administrators and what drives the group to continue working tirelessly and voluntarily to protect this place – one of several along the Lagan Valley – against commercial exploitation.
