Louise Cullen welcomed to the Glens & Dalriada u3a meeting

Members at the meeting of the Glens & Dalraida u3a, held on 14 October, were privileged to have as their guest speaker, our BBC Agricultural and Environmental Correspondent, Louise Cullen.

The title of Louise’s talk was ‘My Life in Journalism: Stories, Silliness and Special Moments’.

Louise joined the BBC in October 1999 – over 25 years ago!

A u3a spokesperson said: “After many years on BBC Radio as a health correspondent, she was offered the post of agricultural and environment correspondent on BBC TV. Representing BBCNI at the international conference on climate change, COP26, just a month before starting the job, was quite an induction!

“As an enterprising child, Louise took the initiative to collect aluminium cans for recycling – for which she was paid 30p per can!

“She also lived in rural, largely agricultural Fermanagh and this helped her adapt quickly to her new position, but she believes it is her love of telling stories which helps her most in communicating with the public on TV.

“Her sense of humour has been a great asset in encountering the problems that can arise from working with animals and the N. Irish weather, as illustrated in her anecdotes and overheads.

“One bit of advice to us was: “Don’t walk on your own in unfamiliar, boggy peatland – you won’t remember the way and are likely to get very wet feet!” (She had left the guide and crew to collect a camera.)

“Louise’s knowledge of N. Ireland’s environment and agriculture were clearly demonstrated as she competently answered questions on Lough Neagh blue-green algae, renewables and recycling. She showed us some very stark statistics on how temperatures have been accelerating between 1890 and 2025, particularly in recent years, but she has a positive, balanced outlook, believing that a healthy, functioning environment, together with the right incentives, means prosperous farming.

“She reminded us of some of the positive work being done locally to address our loss of biodiversity, for example in the return of corncrakes to Rathlin.

“Finally, Louise returned to her passion for storytelling. She recommended it to us all as a great way of reminding us of our common humanity.”

The u3a is an organisation for people who have finished with full-time employment, and offers a wide range of social, sporting and recreational activities aimed at improving quality of life for older people in the area.

The group welcomes new members. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 11th November at 11am (coffee from 10.30) in Sheskburn, Ballycastle.

For more information, email [email protected] or phone 07792 450956.