'It’s amazing for mental health': Cork community gardeners dig in as State loses plot

With news that a new draft planning bill has accidentally written protections for allotments out of the picture, community growers are digging in to stop the Government from losing the plot, writes Ellie O'Byrne

Maria Young, Oliver Nash, Cathy Fitzpatrick, and Manuela Gomes at Togher Community Garden. Picture: Larry Cummins

It’s a bright Saturday morning and Mandie Rekaby is sieving stones out of earth into a wheelbarrow at Togher Community Garden in Clashduv Park in Cork City.

Earlier, Ms Rekaby was first on the scene, unlocking the garden’s polytunnel and the container unit where tools are stored.