The Original Factory Shop in the News
Allotment gift to help adults with learning disabilities
The joys of tilling the soil have been unearthed for adults with learning disabilities following a donation of allotment land and gardening supplies.
Elizabeth FitzRoy Support, which helps adults with autism and Down's syndrome, has been given use of the plot by a landowner at East Barsham, near Fakenham.
The Fakenham branch provides care and support to about 60 people, either in their own homes or at the charity's day centre at Hall Staithe.
About two-thirds of them have taken the opportunity to plant potatoes, runner beans and carrots at their new allotment since they started work on it last month.
This week they accepted seeds, tools and gardening gloves from the Original Factory Shop in Fakenham.
Senior support worker Chris White said: "As a charity we're there to help adults with learning difficulties to have fulfilling lives, and this is just brilliant for these guys.
"We hope to grow things we can eat and hopefully then get enough to be able to sell some on Fakenham Market."
The landowner, who did not wish to be named, offered the use of the plot through the Landshare scheme championed by TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
The charity eventually hopes to expand its allotment to include benches, compost bins or even greenhouses, but Mr Smith said the most immediate need was for more spades, hoes, rakes and forks.
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12 May 2010 by Fakenham and Wells Times
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