About Us


 Che was first formed in April 2007 on a plot of ground formally used by the Lisnaskea community as a rubbish dump.  It had been filled in and ignored for many years until Che got their hands on it.

 

The site of the garden was provided by Fermanagh District Council. In years gone by the site was the old Council Rubbish Dump beside the Lough Head. With the site having been an old dump it meant there was no topsoil to work with.

 

This means we have to continually bring in top soil and compost, so far over two hundred tonnes. Each of the raised beds are around one foot deep, meaning lots of soil will be needed as we progress. In the early days water had to be carried some distance to the plants as the drainage, because of the landfill, was of great concern, but thanks to the dedicated members of CHE, we and the plants survived.

 

Example pic

 

Costs of soil and wood for the raised beds mean that we will always be carrying out fund raising activities and seeking sponsorship from businesses in the community.

 

Seeing the garden progress from a barren piece of ground to what it is now has been wonderful. The list of people and organisations we need to thank is endless, however here are some of our main supporters :

 

Fermanagh District Council, for the site.

Billy Johnston, for the manure.

Oak Healthy Living.

The Organic Center.

B & Q, for supplying our tools.

Clarkes Quarry, for gravel for the garden paths.

Liam Smyth Construction for the topsoil.

Dowlers Ltd Lisnaskea for timber.


Volunteers.


Example pic

Along with a raft of local volunteers and helpers we also have a group of young men in our ranks we like to call our green guerrillas, these young men have been there from day one, each one with a gift and each one with a need.  

 

They are from the Killadeas Special Day Care Centre based at the SHARE Center, three miles outside Lisnaskea. They and their carer, Raymond McBrien, never fail to turn up at the gardens every Thursday.

 

The Area.

 

There is a nature walk just metres away from the garden, which is ideally situated beside the lake, so there is a great deal of wildlife to be seen and enjoyed  such as swans, cormorants, mallard ducks and water hens.  

 

CuckooRecently we had a foreign visitor to the garden. A cuckoo took up residence for an evening filling the air with its unmistakable call.

 

As the seasons change  the wildlife too changes, along with our gardens.