Duneane allotment garden has been established in Spring 2016 after many
months of administration Work in the T. I. D. A. L office getting a lease from
A. N. B. C and the Diocese and planning permission for the shed From,
Council. A funding application was successful to the Challenge Fund for £ 8.000 and after initial meeting with Groundwork N-I. they Were so impressed with
our plans and ethos that they also committed to bring £ l2,000 of funds and
support in advice and tutoring to Our garden project.
This success has created a poly tunnel, ten Community beds. ten personal
garden beds, a storage shed and a space for future crafting and cooking. There
is also a chicken coop which creates much interest and Visitors From every
generation . Potatoes were planted in mid March with many seeds For lettuce
scallions , peas and so on. These were harvested in June and July with much
delight by all those Who participated. Currently there is an abundance of growth
With onions, lettuce, scalLions, peas, runner beans, beetroot, rainbow carrots.
Carrots, cabbage, mange touts, strawberries, garlic, tomatoes , Cabbage, many
herbs, flowers and wild flowers.
This is an outstanding Community project with benefits Which are much more
than simple plant growth and organic Vegetables. In a Few short months we
have about 20 adult gardeners ,20 young people and the participation of the
local Primary school. The benefits for physical, emotional well being are Well
documented and many of our participants are recovering from anxiety ,
depression and other problems. Part of our funding had up cycling as its central
theme Which is making for a Very interesting, colourful space. The youth are
making hanging baskets from tyres and bottle top flowers. The plans and ideas
are now coming from the gardeners as We have just been donated a fishing
boat there is great excitement, a real sense of community and being connected
to each other and our locality.