Historic Callan walled garden gets a new lease of life

ABOVE: Tony Whittle  working away in the walled garden. 

It was always Patrick Lydon’s wish that the land be shared with people who enjoy growing. The walled garden has hosted allotment growing for many years, but it is now being organised by Noel Bruder under the Westcourt Community Growers umbrella.

The allotments are just one part of the group, which encompasses two businesses - ‘Living and Growing’ and a person with special needs who loves growing and is supported to run a small vegetable growing business - and a new Community Supported Agriculture project.

The pilot project is a food growing cooperative bringing together people who would like to grow their own vegetables but don’t necessarily have the time or skills to maintain an allotment, with people who do have the knowledge and skills. In its very early stages, the project is just planting its first vegetables this spring.
“The land is great, it can absorb a lot energy into it,” Noel said, and can accommodate different types of people.

ABOVE: Noel Bruder thinning the onion rows.

Westcourt Community Growers is also at an early stage but as a group it hopes to expand into future social and educational endeavours.
Membership is not charged for but members are asked to ‘pay’ with their time, to help with community endeavours, for example if someone falls behind with their allotment, other members can help out.

Gladys is full of praise for Kilkenny Leader Partnership who support development in the area and especially their support for the projects at Westcourt.
The allotment area will be expanding under one of these projects, for next season. Noel estimates that 200 to 300 square metres will be available and anyone interested can ring him on 0852651133. He can also be contacted by anyone interested in getting involved with the Community Supported Agriculture project.

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