A Mid-Ulster group, which works with women and children affected by domestic violence, has been awarded funding to help develop a community garden.
Mid-Ulster Women’s Aid, which has outreach offices in Maghera and Magherafelt, was given a boost this week when the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards For All programme awarded the organisation £9,950.
The grant will be used to turn wasteland belonging to the group into an accessible community garden.
Martina Watson from the Cookstown-based organisation said they are ‘delighted’ to receive the funding for the project entitled ‘Ready Steady, Let’s Grow’ community garden.
“We were wondering what we could use this waste ground for so we discussed it with service users and other representatives from the community organisation,” she said.
“They all agreed that there is no space in Cookstown for allotment type gardens so we thought we would transform the space into a community garden for use by everybody in the community.”
Martina says the group have plans to turn the garden into an area where people can relax.
“We will have a polytunnel where members of the community can grow fruit, vegetables and plants. We will also have a garden shed to store the tools people use and raised beds for people to plant what they want. We will also have raised beds suitable for wheelchair users and children.
“The garden will be fully accessible to the disabled and the elderly. We also hope to have a play area for children.”
Martina says the garden will be open to anyone living within the Mid-Ulster Council area.
“It will be a good space for everyone to come along and enjoy themselves.
“We are delighted to receive this funding because this was a piece of waste ground and now it’s going to be put to good use. It’s a win-win all round,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ballymaguigan Pipe Band have also been awarded a grant of £8,693 by the Awards For All programme.
The band, which provides weekly music tuition and performs for the wider community at various events, will use the funding to provide equipment and activities for the band and local community.

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