Storm Babet uproots Digging Deeside

Storm Babet played havoc across the UK. Sadly, the wind and huge amount of torrential rain that came down in Deeside badly affected Mill Lane Allotments

A couple of weeks ago we all witnessed Storm Babet which flooded many houses, businesses and played havoc across the UK.  Sadly, the wind and huge amount of torrential rain that came down in Deeside badly affected Mill Lane Allotments due to the brook overflowing and causing terrible damage to the entrance and the first raised bed and shed where the Digging Deeside group run one of it’s projects each week.

Digging Deeside is a social gardening project running weekly at Mill Lane Allotments in Connah’s Quay which provides environmental activities in a safe outdoor space for around 30 individuals who access the group to make friends and learn new skills.  The project was set up 10 years ago this January by RainbowBiz CIC.  Since then, the group has evolved and many individuals have benefited.

Storm Babet and the resulted 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 around 3 and a half foot of water at the flood’s highest peak, damaging everything in the shed and the shed itself. The group facilitator has not yet been able to access the shed as the entrance to the allotments has been devastated and thick sludge covers all the road by car and path to the area.

RainbowBiz were then contacted by Connah’s Quay Labour Club, who very kindly offered a temporary space for the group to meet, whilst Digging Deeside is unable to access the Allotment site.  The group have been made to feel really welcome at the Labour Club and have enjoyed lots of fun activities.

The Labour Club also has a full size pool table and the people we support have really been enjoying games between themselves and staff.  There is lots of space inside the club, which makes it fully accessible for everyone.

Some of the people that RainbowBiz support prefer to take part in activities away from others, the Labour Club is able to offer space enough for everyone’s needs to be accommodated.

Sue Jones, Treasurer of Connah's Quay Labour Club said:

"The Labour Club has gone through some major management changes recently.  As the new committee we are trying to make this a welcoming community hub. When I heard that RainbowBiz were looking for a place to meet, I immediately got on the phone to see how we could help".

Most of the people that RainbowBiz supports are from the Deeside area and often struggle to socialise and feel a part of the community.  Having been made to feel so welcome at the Labour Club, has meant a lot to the entire group.

Sarah Way, Director at RainbowBiz CIC said:

“We would really like to say thanks to Sue and all the staff at the Labour Club for hosting our Digging Deeside group and making it a home from home environment for everyone we support”.

You can visit the Labour Club on Fron Road in Connah’s Quay, and take a look at their Facebook page to see all the fantastic events they have coming up.

If you would like to join the groups we host, RainbowBiz CIC Project Facilitator Ian Forrester invites you to visit us at the Connah's Quay Labour Club on Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm, where he will talk you through all of the projects available for you to attend.

If you would like to find out more about RainbowBiz CIC please visit their website at: 

www.RainbowBiz.org.uk

If you would like to make a donation to the projects in material or monetary form please contact:

ian@rainbowbiz.org.uk

or via PayPal on the website: 

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rainbowbiz

Pictured - RainbowBiz CIC Digging Deeside Attendees with Labour Club Treasurer Sue Jones (Second from left) and staff member Carol Anderson (Fourth from Left Front Row).