THE future of a popular Northside allotments project
is in doubt due to staff shortages at Dublin City Council.
Hundreds of applications were received for the pilot
project at the Walled Garden in St Anne’s Park, Raheny, when it was launched in
2010.
However, in correspondence seen by Northside People,
the city council has written to 90 plot holders summoning them to a meeting on
February 18.
The letter read:
“The purpose of the meeting is to
discuss all allotment matters. It is important that as many people as possible
attend and become involved in the running of the Walled Garden.
“As you may know, staff numbers have once again been
reduced from St Anne’s and at present there is not the personnel to look after
the garden.
“For the Walled Garden to survive and succeed, it will
have to be run as a collaborative project with everyone involved.
“Due to the present staffing difficulty a decision has
yet to be made whether the pilot will be continued after 2012.
?
The letter, which was sent by the executive parks
superintendent, added:
“I am hoping that the proposed meeting will help infect
new energy into the Walled Garden project which is vitally important to ensure
its continuance.
?
A local gardening enthusiast who has mental health
issues told Northside People he would be devastated if the allotments closed
next year.
Seasoned horticulturalist and Phibsboro resident, Jim
Corrigan, was among the plot holders who received the letter from the city
council. He said the plot is more to him than a piece of land.
“The plot helps calm me down and it helps my emotions
to see things growing and to talk to the other people who have plots in St
Anne’s,
? he told Northside People.
“I would be devastated if I lost it. It would leave a
big hole in my life.
?
Mr Corrigan (64) spent much of his professional life
working in gardens in the UK and Germany and was one of the many who jumped at
the chance to own an allotment in St Anne’s Park when the scheme was launched.
“Gardening is my passion and by keeping the allotment
I’m able to keep up my gardening skills,
? he said.
“It’s the love of my life. I also love meeting and
talking to people and being able to help them with their allotments so it’s a
real social outlet for me.
?
The fruits of Mr Corrigan’s labours also benefit the
community as he donates almost all of his produce to a drop-in centre in Dublin
15.
“I’m not married, I don’t have children and I wouldn’t
have the need for all my produce so every week I leave a bag of whatever I get
from the garden at the back door of a centre for people with mental health
issues,
? he explained.
“I grow all sorts of things including cabbages, leeks,
Brussels sprouts and onions, and every Sunday without fail I’m out in St Anne’s
tending to my plot.
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