Strong support for Edenderry Community Garden proposal

Some weeks ago Cllr Mark Hackett, along with the other councillors, were approached by Tús Supervisor, Jimmy Pierce, about providing the gardening group in Edenderry with a permanent home.

Mark said he thought that it was an excellent idea from the outset.

“I think this project is the future, we need to get outdoors, to connect to nature and to grow some food, gardening has proven social and health benefits for individuals of all ages and abilities.

The proposed site in Edenderry is on council land between the pitch and putt course and the skatepark and while plans are at early stages, thanks to the work already put in by Jimmy and his colleagues at Offaly Local Development Company, the local community are very enthusiastic about the project.”

“My thanks to Jimmy, Nuala and Derek for meeting Minister Hackett and myself at the site this week. I brought a motion to council recently on the importance of council support for community gardens and I suggested their inclusion in our Local Climate Action Plan. But what Offaly Local Development is doing is making the garden actually happen, and I am happy to do whatever I can to support. “

Minister Pippa Hackett added: “It was great to hear how inclusive the plans for the community garden are, and how many diverse groups might benefit. We talked through funding opportunities and I don’t believe that a lack of funding will hold this project back.

"It ticks so many of the boxes we need to be ticking from social and health benefits to biodiversity and climate action. I know there is a public meeting to progress the project on Tuesday, 16th January, at 12 noon at the Cabin, Fairgreen. I wish all those who are working on, volunteering with and enjoying this community garden the very best for a bright future."