The Avondhu

Ballylande­rs Sensory Garden set to bloom

- MARIAN ROCHE

Visitors to Ballylande­rs will spy a beautiful new addition to the village, tucked away behind the village playground. The sensory garden is almost complete, with a new utility building in-situ.

As it is February, blooms are yet to be out to their full effect, but plans are in place for an entrance through a larch arbour, planted with honeysuckl­e to the well, where it will be surrounded by wild strawberri­es and herbs. Bamboo grass will susurrate, and the whole space has been designed to accommodat­e picnics, talks and gatherings with three distinct areas, fringed by pollinator-friendly plants.

The one- storey building nearby will, when complete, house public toilets, a meeting room and outside a drinking water fountain, and a covered barbecue area will mean the area is popular during the warmer months. Bog wood, which is on the way to the garden, will represent the nearby beauty of Griston Bog.

While Clár funding of €50,000 was secured for the project, alongside LEADER funding, a gap still exists that Damien Fitzgerald of Ballylande­rs Developmen­t Associatio­n is hoping to close the gap with ongoing fundraisin­g efforts with the communtiy. They are running a ‘Monster Raffle’ via Klubfunder, and prospectiv­e entrants can enter the draw via the website.

AGM FRIDAY

The Ballylande­rs Developmen­t Associatio­n would like to remind everyone that their AGM will be held in the new building this Friday evening at 8pm, and will be followed by a meeting to discuss plans for St Patrick’s Day.

 ?? ?? A focal point at the Ballylande­rs Sensory Garden is the attractive well, pictured nearing completion.
A focal point at the Ballylande­rs Sensory Garden is the attractive well, pictured nearing completion.
 ?? ?? Some of the strategic planting at the Ballylande­rs Sensory Garden.
Some of the strategic planting at the Ballylande­rs Sensory Garden.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland