Northern Ireland Vegetable Association Programme of Events

The Northern Ireland Vegetable Association has released an excellent programme of events over the coming months. All events commence at 7.30pm at Knockbreda Parish Church Halls, Purdy's Lane, Newtownbreda (opposite Sanitfield Road / Forestside). For further information telephone 02890703147.

Tuesday 16th February 'Success with Tomatoes'.

Tuesday 16th March 'Growing for Sowing' plant and seed swap.

Tuesday 20th April ' Growing Vegetables in Containers.

Tuesday 18th April 'Best in Show' - prsenting your fruit and vegetables at flower shows.

Tuesday 15th June 'Visit to Eden Allotments'

Learn to Grow Your Own Organic Fruit & Vegetables

Groundwork NI, in partnership with The Organic Centre, will be running a 3-day "Learn To Grow Your Own Organic Fruit & Vegetables" course starting on Saturday 23 January. The course costs £20. For further information contact Gary McNally on 90749494.

National Tree Week Event at Eden Allotment Gardens

National Tree Week (25 November - 6 December 2009) is an annual festival to mark the start of the tree planting season, and a nationwide celebration of trees and woods. National Tree Week is a great chance for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. Across the Borough there will be lots of opportunities to plant trees.

Tree planting at Eden Allotment Gardens on Saturday 5th December at 11am. Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland will be planting trees with the allotment holders. This event is part of Breathing Places Tree O'Clock, if you join us, we might even break a Guinness World Record or two, for the most number of trees planted within one hour! For further information please contact Helen Tomb on 90645169. For more Tree Week events in Carrickfergus visit the Carrickfergus in Bloom Tree Week webpage.

Autumn Pumpkinfest

Fun for all the family as you pick, scoop and carve out a pumpkin at Castle Ward on Saturday 17th October 2009 to Sun 18th October 2009.  Explore the pumpkin people trail, harvest an organic pumpkin and sample some organic pumpkin soup in the tea-room.  An extensive display of local crafts will also be on display. Cost: Normal admission, members go free. Time: 1 to 5pm. Visit their website www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Trees Matter — Plant Them

National Tree Week (25 November - 6 December 2009 ) is an annual festival to mark the start of the tree planting season, and a nationwide celebration of trees and woods. National Tree Week is a great chance for us to do something positive for our local treescape. To celebrate National Tree Week, Carrickfergus Borough Council is inviting everyone to help make trees matter by planting and celebrating trees in National Tree Week. The council would like to hear from any group or individual that would like to take part in National Tree Week. Residents and groups who cannot take part in National Tree Week but would like to plant a tree in their own property can download an application or contact Carrickfergus Civic Centre. If you have any ideas on what Eden allotmenteers could do either contact a member of the committee, visit the forum or use the contact page. See photographs of last years tree planting event.

National Allotments Week 2009: Family Fun Day

National Allotments Week is taking place on 10th to 16th August this year. A Family Fun Day will take place on Saturday 8th August plus many other events during the week long celebration. National Allotments Week is promoted by the National Allotment Gardens Trust in partnership with the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. It is a week to:

a) Promote the awareness and availability of allotments both locally and nationally;

b) To show both the public and local authorities the strength of support for and interest in the heritage of allotment culture;

c) Highlight the social benefits of allotment gardening, which include benefits to health, education and community well-being to all.

See the Council allotment website for further information: www.edenallotments.co.uk

Film: Grow your Own

The Council will be showing the film ‘Grow your Own’ on 12th August 2009 at 7.30pm sharp in the Town Hall, Antrim Street, Carrickfergus. See film trailer at youtube.

Scarecrow Competition

To celebrate National Allotment Week Carrickfergus Borough Council is running a ‘Scarecrow Competition’ sponsored by Sunnybank Garden Centre at our Family Fun Day at Eden Allotment Gardens on Saturday 8th August 2009. Your scarecrows can be anything from the traditional scarecrow in dungarees and checked shirt to a themed scarecrow!

How do I enter? Bring your scarecrow along to the National Allotment Week Family Fun Day in Eden Allotment Gardens on Saturday 8th August 2009. Entries must be received by 2pm. Judging takes place at 2.30pm. Simply complete the entry form below and bring it with you on the day.

Who can enter? Anybody living in the Borough of Carrickfergus can enter. This competition is not open to Carrickfergus Borough Council employees or any person involved in the running of the competition, or their immediate family members. Entrants under the age of 16 must obtain permission from their parent/guardian before entering.

For further information click here.

Carrickfergus Garden Society 52nd Flower Show on 15th August 2009

The Carrickfergus Garden Society Flower Show is sponsored by Carrickfergus Borough Council & Sunnybank Garden Centre. Date - 15th August 2009. Venue - 1st Carrick Presbyterian Church Hall, Lancasterian Street, Carrickfergus (beside the Fire Station). Staging Times: 8am - 11am on the morning of the Show. Public viewing from 2.30pm Admission: Adults 50p Children Free. As well as the displays of competition entries, there will also be stalls selling garden produce, plants, cut flowers, cakes, tray bakes, jams, chutneys etc. Refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits) will be available from 2.30pm. Prize Giving will take place at approximately 3.30pm after which the exhibits which have been donated to the Society will be sold to the public. Schedules are now available to download.

ALLOTMENT CLASS - confined to individual Eden Allotment Holders. Prizes: Vouchers of 1st - £15.00 2nd - £10.00 3rd - £5.00. Class 31a One collection of 3 kinds of Vegetables taken from the following vegetables: 7 (pods) Peas, 7 (pods) Beans, 1 Cabbage, 3 Carrots, 1 Cauliflower, 7 Shallots, 3 Onions, 3 Tomatoes, 3 Potatoes, 1 head Celery, 1 Marrow, 1 Cucumber, 3 Leeks, 3 Beetroot. NB:Only one entry per allotment holder permitted. Entries must be lodged with the Show Secretary not later than Thursday 13th August, 2009. Space allowed 900mm x 750mm. Points: Maximum 10 points each kind.