Community garden finally taking shape
The Hill Street Community Garden is finally beginning to take shape. At the heart of this project is the joy of growing with people in your own locality. Getting together in groups, sharing knowledge, and plants, and developing new ideas for growing and building awareness around a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. When Hill Street Car Park was developed, Wexford County Council were delighted to support a suggestion that land between Wexford Chamber and the entrance to Redmond Park be designated as a Community Garden. GIY were brought on board to advise and to co-ordinate a plan of action and after many meetings and lots of hard work the garden is beginning to develop. Madeleine Quirke, CEO of Wexford Chamber, said, ‘It has been a real pleasure over the past number of months to engage with various Wexford based community groups. ‘We have received amazing support from the Wexford Working Men’s Club in preparing the site and building the raised beds which will soon be full of herbs, fruits, vegetables and flowers. The garden is designed with pathways in-between the beds and the beds are edged with wood which will allow people to sit either to work or simply to enjoy the fruits of their labour.’ Angie Laffan, District Manager Wexford County Council, has been instrumental in supporting this project and has provided all the materials needed for the project so far. ‘I am delighted to see this garden taking shape and I hope that the project will go from strength to strength. Madeleine has provided great leadership in terms of bringing everybody together and it is wonderful to see people from so many different community groups here today. ‘We want this Community Garden to flourish and to grow and the only way that this can happen is for people to come together, enjoy each other’s company and learn a little or a lot about gardening,’ said Angie. The group would like to thank Carragh Paving & Landscapes who sponsored over 10 tons of topsoil and who have given generously of their time in advising the group. Beechdale Garden Centre have also given advice and supplied plants to get the project off the ground. And this is only the beginning! If you would like to be part of this project, information will be posted on the Notice Board in the Community Garden or you can contact Wexford Chamber on 053 91 22226. The magic lies in a group of people coming together, learning, sharing, having fun, keeping fit and looking after a green space that belongs to them. Happy gardening!