Digging Deeside relaunches at new Queensferry site
A community gardening project that was forced to close after severe flooding has reopened at a new site in Queensferry.
Digging Deeside, run by RainbowBiz CIC, was officially relaunched on Friday 30 January 2026 at Queensferry War Memorial Institute.
The project had operated weekly at Mill Lane Allotments in Connah’s Quay for several years before Storm Babet caused extensive damage in late 2023.
Floodwater from an overflowing brook covered raised beds with contaminated silt and left a shed submerged in more than three feet of water, forcing the gardening sessions to stop.
Digging Deeside provides social gardening activities for around 30 people, offering a safe outdoor space to learn skills, improve wellbeing and make social connections. It was set up 10 years ago and had become a regular fixture at the allotments before the flooding.
While a new site was sought, the group continued to meet indoors at Connah’s Quay Labour Community Club, where members took part in alternative activities to stay connected.
In July 2024, RainbowBiz CIC announced plans to develop a new outdoor site at Queensferry War Memorial Institute, supported by funding from Parc Adfer, Keep Wales Tidy, Police and Community Trust, Asda and other local donors.
RainbowBiz director Ian Forrester said: “The new Queensferry War Memorial Institute site sees a large expansion in space compared to the previous site. We now manage 5 raised beds, 4 no-dig beds, two polytunnels and a large greenhouse. We now have access to the facilities we so desperately needed.
“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.”
The project aims to improve wellbeing and relieve stress through weekly gardening sessions, offering basic gardening skills, life skills and a safe place to meet others.
At the relaunch event, RainbowBiz CIC announced that the garden would be named the Lord Barry Jones and Lady Janet Jones Gardens, in recognition of the organisation’s long-standing patron, Lord Barry Jones.
Lord Barry Jones said:“As Patron of RainbowBiz CIC it has been an honour for ten 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 8 long years.
“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.”
Founding directors Sue Oliver and Sarah Way 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.”
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