Greenisland Allotments officially re-open

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, officially re-opened nd Allotment Gardens on Saturday 11^th June 2016.

Cllr Wales said “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all this afternoon to the official re-opening of Greenisland Allotment Gardens. Due to a number of development issues with Greenisland Allotment Gardens over the past year, Mid and East Antrim Council have made a number of significant improvements to the site including new fencing and gating. There will be a series of workshops delivered by The Conservation Volunteers onsite each weekend throughout the summer, beginning today, which I hope plot holders and the local community will take advantage of.”

“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is committed to improving the quality of life for all the people of the Borough through the services it provides including our allotment service.

Allotment gardening can provide a number of benefits such as the opportunity to produce a wide range of 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. 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. Allotments are also beneficial to the environment and wildlife generally. Owning an allotment could also mean cancelling that expensive gym subscription and having an alternative workout at your very own 'green gym'. “

“I hope today will be an opportunity for you all to find out what allotment gardening is all about and perhaps consider taking on a plot here. I hope Greenisland Allotment Gardens can be transformed into a horticultural paradise full of delicious fruit and veg and hope the local community will fully embrace and look after this valuable asset so it can be enjoyed for many years to come.”

To celebrate the official re-opening a community fun day was held on site with activities including grow your own workshops, scarecrow making, bee hotel building and face painting.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has three allotment sites – Greenisland Allotment Gardens, Greenisland, Eden Allotment Gardens, Carrickfergus and Larne Allotment Gardens, Town Parks, Larne. To find out more or to apply for a plot please visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/allotments