Come and witness the transformation of a plot of land to an allotment in People’s Park on Friday and Saturday.
High density living in more urban environments can mean that growing space is limited. GIY believes that we need to think outside our ‘window’ boxes, when it comes to available land for growing. Many of us have heard of pop up shops and restaurants so why not an allotment ?
According to GIY founder Michael Kelly, ‘Allotments are a right rather than a luxury, using disused council or property developers land is a win win for all. In today’s climate, many sites are temporarily vacant whilst waiting to either be sold or to build upon. Disused land can not only be an eyesore within a community but is also a potential magnet for anti social behaviour, seeing it as a potential resource opens up vast areas of green space which can be used for growing.’
According to Kelly, GIY has seen a huge increase in enquiries about available allotments. Setting up an allotment requires some planning and to be successful they need to have proper facilities such as sheds, fencing and water. However, many more sites than are currently available could be considered. The land can be short leased for the growing season orlonger.
Come down and visit the GIY Pop Up Allotment, and witness the green field site being transformed on Friday and Saturday, 9th and 10th . The Pop Up is being created with the assistant of Ballybeg Horticulture Initiative and Waterford City Council.
Also, on Saturday at 11: 40 in the GIY Gathering there is a panel discussion on Allotments – Greening their Public Spaces, come and let us know what and how it is happening in your area.
The GIY Gathering The GIY Gathering 2011 (Waterford City, September 10th and 11th) is the largest meeting EVER in Ireland of people that are interested in growing their own food. It is an unmissable opportunity to celebrate the harvest and be inspired by other GIYers from across the country. There are over 40 workshops, talks, demos, panel discussions, debates, expert Q&As, and forages over two days. Speakers include some of Ireland’s and the UK’s top horticulturalists, chefs, broadcasters and food writers: Joy Larkcom, Bob Flowerdew, Darina Allen, Ella McSweeney, Suzanne Campbell, John McKenna, Duncan Stewart, Klaus Laitenberger and Michael Kelly. A single €25 ticket gives you access to all Gathering events (except the GIY Street Feast on Saturdaynight) over the two days – you can buy tickets and read the event brochure at www.giyireland.com
About GIY:
GIY is a registered charity that aims to make home-grown food the norm by inspiring people to grow their own food and giving them the skills they need to grow successfully. We bring GIYers together in the community and online so they can have fun and learn from each other. GIY was founded by author and journalist Michael Kelly in 2009 and there are now nearly 100 GIY groups around Ireland and 10,000 people involved. The organisation started in Australia last year and will launch in the UK in 2011.
For more information contact Sarah Fleming at GIY Ireland on +353 51 834138 or email sarah@giyireland.com, Skype: sfleming1706, Twitter: @giyireland
