Environment Minister Sammy Wilson visits Eden Allotment...
10 October 2008
Eden Allotment Gardens welcomes Environment Minister Sammy Wilson.
The Environment Minister Sammy Wilson visited Eden Allotment Gardens today (10 October 2008). As part of the tour, the Minister met with plot holders and representatives from the Eden Allotments Association Committee and Carrickfergus Borough Council. "We are delighted to be able to meet the Minister and were pleased that he was able to make time in his busy schedule to visit the allotment site. It was heartening to hear and see evidence of the government’s interest and commitment to allotment gardening.” said Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer.
Mr Daye continued" During his visit the Minister was able to see the fruits of the plot holders work during the Summer period. The vibrant allotment site at Eden in Carrickfergus Borough was opened in April 2008. What started as 36 plots has grown already to 98 plots and we hope to have more plots ready in 2009 to satisfy our growing waiting list which presently stands at 68. I would encourage residents of the Borough to visit Eden Allotment Gardens off Beltoy Road to view what the allotmenteers have achieved in the past few months - the area is truly transformed."
"Allotment gardening can provide a number of benefits to individuals, such as the opportunity to produce a wide range of relatively inexpensive healthy vegetables, whilst at the same time providing physical exercise in the outdoors. It can create the opportunity to make new friends and provide the chance to socialise with others who enjoy a similar rewarding pastime. Allotments can provide a great sense of well-being and give pleasure and satisfaction to people who through their own skills and effort produce their own food and of course in addition allotments are also beneficial to the environment and wildlife generally. Carrickfergus Borough Council is committed to improving the quality of life for all the people of Borough through the services it provides including our allotment service" ended Mr Daye.
Council Allotment Website: www.edenallotments.co.uk
Eden Allotment Holders Association: www.edenallotments.org
For further information please contact:
Stephen Daye, Parks & Countryside Development Officer, Carrickfergus Borough Council.
Telephone: (028) 9335 8039
E-Mail: inbloom@carrickfergus.org
