The wet weather didn’t put a dampener on (South East Fermanagh Foundation) SEFF’s community allotments open day as more than 150 people came out to enjoy the demonstrations and displays at the event hosted on Saturday, July 23 at the allotment on Nutfield Road, Lisnaskea.
Noreen Guy and George Morrison.
Kenny Donaldson, SEFF’s Director of Services, explained what happened at the open day.
He said: “For us, the key objective of the open day was to have other local groups and organisations represented as well as attendees from across the community. The event very much achieved this, with in excess of 150 people coming out on a wet afternoon.
Liam Boyle and Malcolm Glenn.
“The volunteers attached with our site organised and delivered the event and can justifiably feel very proud of their efforts. The event was about families and the community coming together, and we had lots on offer throughout the site for those attending, including arts and crafts, a floral art workshop, the display of a cot boat with those involved in building it engaging with visitors, a presentation on beekeeping and honey-making, and not forgetting the impressive models produced by Malcolm Glen.”
Chris Allan, Greig Allan, Majella Wray, Maclolm Glenn and Kenny Donaldson.
There were also fresh vegetables and fruits available for people to take home upon giving a donation.
Face painting and a bouncy castle kept very young children amused on the afternoon, and there was plenty of food available, ranging from burgers and chips to ice-cream.
Kenny continued: “SEFF’s community allotments are a very important project within the work of the group and over the past three years a team of volunteers led by Malcolm Glen and Tony Watson have transformed the site into something to be truly proud of.
“There are very high volumes of fresh produce harvested from the site. There are also training workshops run to further develop plot holders’ skills and, crucially, there is special peer-to-peer support in place for those who need that extra bit of care, who may be battling mental health and/or addiction-based issues.
Timothy Elliott puts on a display of flower arranging.
“The project is also a wonderful example of genuine integration of people in action. Our difficulties in this place [Northern Ireland] are directly associated with territory and land – who owns it and who controls it.
“SEFF’s Community Allotments Project teaches that so much more can be achieved when the land is shared, and people commit to supporting one another.”
The project has received investment from The Victims and Survivors Service, Lloyds TSB Foundation NI, the National Lottery (Awards for All funding), and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
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