Allotment Spring Clean Weekend
13 May 2009
Allotment Holders at Eden Allotment Gardens participated in the annual spring clean-up last weekend (9th & 10th May 2009). The Allotment Holders were encouraged to chip in by cleaning up their part of the community gardens.
Picture of Allotment Holders: Richard Williamson, Melanie Brown, Carrie Gault & Andrew Gault.
"Waste bags, litter pickers, gloves and a skip where available to group. This was an opportunity for the Allotment Holders to get together to get rid of unwanted items and debris" said Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer with Carrickfergus Borough Council.
"The goal of Spring Clean weekend is to beautify our allotments and to get Allotment Holders to take part in cleaning up for the summer period. The allotments at Eden have grown from strength to strength since the launch last April (2008). We started with 36 allotment plots but now have 189 plots within the five hectare site. This makes Eden Allotment Gardens the largest allotment site in Ireland.”
“Allotments are a great way to relax and unwind from the stresses of modern living. They are a good way of producing healthy delicious fruit and vegetables at a relatively low cost and you could produce them organically if you wanted too. Allotments are also an effective way to make friends with people who share your interest in gardening. You will also be doing your bit for the environment by reducing the pollution associated with the transportation and packaging of shop bought food.”
Having an allotment is no longer about flat caps and thermos flasks. Nowadays allotments are the preserve of Jamie Oliver just as much as Arthur Fowler. The last few years has seen a real upsurge in the number of people who want to get an allotment. A whole generation of twenty-something’s and young families are rolling up their sleeves and picking up a trowel.
Allotment plots at Eden come in a variety of each size to suit all requirements. Rental costs for an allotment are very modest and based on the size of the plot. An average plot (160sq meter) works out at less than £1 a week. Concessions are available for those who are in receipt of a state pension, unemployed, registered disabled, or a student on a grant. “
“Eden allotments are provided and administered by Carrickfergus Borough Council. If you would like an allotment please visit our website www.edenallotments.co.uk or pick up a leaflet at any Council facility.” Ended Mr. Daye
For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer.
Telephone: 028 9335 8039
E-Mail: greenspace@carrickfergus.org
Web: http://www.edenallotments.co.uk
