A meeting to determine the level of public interest in and viability of allotments in Kilkenny will take place tomorrow (Thurs 25th) in the Citizens Information Centre on the Parade.
Among issues for consideration at the meeting will be the possibility of forming an allotments association as is the case in other urban areas where allotments are run by local authorities. This is a means of regulating the activities of plot holders and to act as a support network, where information and skills are shared in the craft of gardening.
Cllr Malcolm Noonan, who will chair tomorrows meeting recognised some time ago that there were many people in Kilkenny City who had limited or no access to space for growing fruit and vegetables due to smaller garden sizes and apartment dwellings. Also, some people were attracted to the idea of allotments because of the possibility for skill sharing and learning. ‘I would hope that we can advance this initiative with the cooperation of Kilkenny County Council. Obviously it would be all the easier if a landowner were to come forward and enter into a leasing arrangement, but for the moment its important to get interested parties together to discuss possibilities’ he stated.
Guest speaker on the night will be renowned Gardener and Author, Shirley Lannigan who has written recently in the Kilkenny People about the importance of allotments in the community.
The relevance of allotments and local self reliance will also be discussed in relation to the
Transition towns initiative. Transition Towns is a movement that started in Kinsale, Co Cork and has spread rapidly throughout the UK, Ireland and in Europe. The aim of the initiative is to develop local self sufficent communities through support for local food production, reduced dependency on imported energy and fostering local community development based on interdependence and sustainability.
The meeting will take place at 7.30p in the Citizen’s Information Centre and anyone with an interest in allotments or community gardening is welcome.
