Digging Deeside was re-established by RainbowBiz CIC at a new site in Queensferry, after its original location was devastated by storm damage.
Storm Babet played havoc across the UK in 2023. The wind and huge amount of torrential rain that came down in Deeside badly affected Mill Lane Allotments. The brook overflowed and caused terrible damage to the entrance and the first raised bed and shed where the RainbowBiz CIC’s Digging Deeside group run one of its projects each week.
Connah’s Quay Labour Community Club kept the Digging Deeside Group together in 2023.
Digging Deeside ran weekly at the Connah’s Quay allotments, providing environmental activities in a safe outdoor space for about 30 individuals who access the group to make friends and learn new skills. The project was set up 10 years ago by RainbowBiz CIC. Since then, the group has evolved and many individuals have benefited.
Storm Babet and the resulting carnage put an instant end to the gardening project as the raised bed with all the growing vegetables was covered in flood water and sulphurous silt from the overflowed brook, a hazardous situation. Digging Deeside’s new brightly coloured shed was left standing in about three-and-a-half feet of water at the flood’s highest peak, damaging everything in the shed and the shed itself.
RainbowBiz CIC did not give up on their project, seeking out new premises and working on a new strategy to keep the group together. Connah’s Quay Labour Community Club was the first to step up and offer a space for the group to continue meeting, replacing their trowels for crafting, karaoke, pool and darts. This has been their home for almost two years.
Some of the volunteers from the community who gave their time to assist with the Digging Deeside build: Lewis Evans, Martin Bell, Jordan Thornelow, Isaac Van Heuwart, Harry Homer and JamesSmibert.
RainbowBiz CIC directors Ian Forrester, David Williams, Sue Oliver and Sarah Way, negotiated a new site for the project.
In July 2024, RainbowBiz CIC announced they would be starting a new Digging Deeside site build at Queensferry War Memorial Institute. With support from funders Parc Adfer, Keep Wales Tidy, Police and Community Trust, Asda and other local donors.
Director Ian said: “The new Queensferry War Memorial Institute site sees a large expansion in space compared to the previous site. We now manage five raised beds, four no-dig beds, two polytunnels and a large greenhouse. We now have access to the facilities we so desperately needed.
Lord Barry Jones addresses attendees to the RainbowBiz CIC Digging Deeside site Launch
“The social gardening project is aimed at improving well-being and relieving stress. The weekly community project offers basic gardening skills, life skills and the chance to make new friends. Most importantly, the project offers a safe place to meet like-minded people.
“Now at our new home, we are delighted to expand the reach of our project further into the community, working with local organisations and businesses to distribute the organic vegetables we will be producing to where they are needed most in the local community.”
RainbowBiz CIC have also recently been accepted for support from Travis Perkins to establish a new project, Woodwork for Wellbeing, using reclaimed wood to create garden furnishings. They will look to start delivering this project within the next few months as work commences on the development of this new community activity.
Queensferry War Memorial Institute Garden before work commenced on the new allotment in July 2024.
At this new site RainbowBiz CIC are also working alongside friends and colleagues from Veterans and Community Hub CIC to make the Queensferry War Memorial Institute a wellbeing-centred space for the region.
RainbowBiz CIC has been supported by its Patron, Lord Barry Jones, since its inception in 2015. At the recent site launch on Friday, January 30, RainbowBiz revealed the new garden would be named after Lord Jones and his wife Lady Janet Jones, as a lasting tribute to the community service of the former MP.
Lord Jones said: “As patron of RainbowBiz CIC it has been an honour for 10 years to support the social enterprise in all of its community work.
“Digging Deeside is the first project set up by RainbowBiz CIC founders Sue Oliver and Sarah Way. It started at the Community Gardens in Connah’s Quay, Later becoming more established at Mill Lane Allotments. Where it thrived for eight long years.
“Myself and Janet have visited many times to celebrate support from wonderful organisations such as The National Lottery and Police and Community Trust.
“We were saddened by the closure due to flooding at the end of 2023. The team have done an amazing job to push through and establish a new, much larger site with the support of some amazing volunteers. Today we are delighted to open a new chapter of Digging Deeside at Queensferry War Memorial Institute.
“Janet and I are honoured that RainbowBiz CIC have chosen to name the new allotment The Lord Barry Jones and Lady Jones Gardens. We wish it every success in future.”
Founding RainbowBiz CIC directors Sue and Sarah said: “We are delighted to see the Lord Barry and Lady Janet Jones Community Gardens finally opened officially. We will look forward to seeing all the community enjoying this beautiful green space in the heart of Deeside.
“We hope RainbowBiz will continue to lead on inclusivity and make this a safe space for everyone to enjoy.”
If you wish to attend Rainbowbiz CIC’s Digging Deeside Project, visit the RainbowBiz CIC Lord Barry Jones and Lady Janet Jones Gardens on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, 1pm-3pm for the Digging Deeside sessions, or for more information visit rainbowbiz.org.uk, email info@rainbowbiz.org.uk or call Ian on 07809185121.
If you would like to make a donation to the projects in material or monetary form, contact: info@rainbowbiz.org.uk or via PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/rainbowbiz
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