Public want to go the Marshwiggle Way after naming major new pathway as part of Connswater Community Greenway

Earlier this year the EastSide Partnership, in association with Belfast City Council, launched a campaign to name three bridges and a major new pathway as part of the Connswater Community Greenway. The public put forward their suggestions and a panel of judges then selected the top 2 under each category which went out to public vote last month. 

The names relate to three bridges in Greenville Park and Orangefield Park, and the new greenway pathway that extends from Orangefield Park to Braniel.  The public have been voting for their favourites and the winning names can now be revealed as Collyard’s Bridge, receiving 62% of the vote; Avalon Bridge with 70%, Kingfisher 50.5%; and Marshwiggle Way for the new pathway with 68% of the vote. 

The final selections were approved by Belfast City Council’s Parks and Leisure Committee yesterday, subject to ratification at the next full council meeting in early May.

Here are some explanations of the winning names and the structures they are named after:

Above: Collyard’s Bridge (Existing bridge connecting Greenville Park to Orangefield Park)

Collyard’s was the name given locally to the Orchard and the house that once existed in the grounds of Orangefield Park. 

Above: Avalon Bridge (New Bridge connecting Greenville Park to Orangefield Park)

This word has links to east Belfast’s Van Morrison who has an album called ‘Avalon Sunset’.  This album also includes the track Orangefield which was written about this particular area. Van Morrison grew up in this part of the City. 

Above: Kingfisher Bridge (New bridge at Orangefield Lane)

Kingfishers are one of the fantastic species of birds that live on the banks of the Knock River in Orangefield Park. Kingfishers are small unmistakable bright blue and orange birds. They fly low over water and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water’s surface. 

Above: Marshwiggle Way (New pathway connecting Orangefield Park to Braniel)

Marshwiggle are a race that inhabits the marshes of northern Narnia, south of the River Shribble from The Chronicles of Narnia books written by east Belfast man C.S. Lewis.     

Puddleglum is the well-known Marshwiggle who is a lead character in The Silver Chair.  His great strength is that even though he doesn't always see how good can come of a situation he nevertheless will stay at his post, will do what needs to be done and in the Silver Chair his act of selfless heroism saves the whole enterprise.   

To read more visit the Connswater Community Greenway website