4NI, Northern Ireland on the Internet (www.4ni.co.uk) West Belfast, No. Ireland
Community garden launched by Childrens Commissioner A vital community garden situated in one of the most deprived communities in Northern Ireland was officially opened today by the Childrens Commissioner Nigel Williams. The garden was created with a lottery grant of #50,000 from the Creating Common Ground Consortium, which delivers the Big Lottery Funds Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities programme. The garden, which is situated in the grounds of St Aidans Primary School in west Belfast, is the result of a unique partnership between the school and Corpus Christi Services. Joe Connolly, Director of Corpus Christi Services, said: We were delighted that St Aidans Primary School donated the piece of land for this valuable project. It is a prime example of the voluntary and community sector working in partnership with a local primary school. Nigel Williams added: The Community Garden at St Aidans Primary School is a great example of what can be achieved when voluntary, community and statutory services work together imaginatively. The Big Lottery Fund along with St Aidans Primary School and Corpus Christi Services have all helped to breathe life into this derelict ground. As Commissioner I would encourage other groups, and statutory bodies to forge creative alliances such as this one to benefit children, young people and everyone living in their local community. The garden, which boasts seating areas, shrubs, plants and safe play areas, was developed on a piece of rubbish-strewn waste ground and has now become a social meeting point for parents and the wider community. ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
