This is my friend Elizabeth. A few years back she set up Lilias Flower Farm and started selling gorgeous bouquets of locally grown flowers in Rostrevor and surrounding areas. It’s been a massive learning curve but each season she gains experience and the range and quantity of flowers she sells grows. Part of her dream is to bring beauty in people’s everyday lives here in this little corner of Ireland. She’s doing that, one bunch of flowers at a time.
She also dreams of bringing transformation in the Great Lakes region of Africa (Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo) and in January 2020 she finally had the chance to go to that part of the world and meet some locals. She quickly discovered that people there are the same as here. They too enjoy the beauty of flowers.
Profits from flower sales the last two years went towards helping Youth with a Mission in Congo (the same bunch as An Cuan here in Rostrevor) set up a sewing school for widows. They are taught to sew and also how to set up their own small business in order to become self-sustainable. The first year they were able to train 45 people and the next year 150 applied! Elizabeth (and all of us who bought some of her gorgeous flowers!!) helped buy more sewing machines and supplies. There was devastating flooding the Congo at the same time Covid was having a major impact. Widows from the sewing program were able to help sew mattresses and covers to give to those who lost everything. I love that buying flowers from Elizabeth has both short term benefits to me but also long term benefits to a country I know hardly anything about.
As the business continues to grow she dreams of using the process of growing flowers to offer horticultural therapy or just a chance for people to come and work alongside her. Elizabeth, like myself, understands that business can play an important role in our communities- far beyond just making a living.
This is my favourite time of year for Lilias Flower Farm. The tulips are out in all their glory! But as they come to an end we will see dahlias, snapdragons, ranunculus (not that I have any idea what those are…..) and so much more. Bunches of flowers are available from Mauds, Rostrevor, Church Lane Cafe, Warrenpoint and the Moygannon Garden Centre. Follow Lilias Flower Farm on Facebook or Instagram to see when they are available.
For the next week Good Craic Gifts and Lilia Flower Farm are collaborating on an Easter special. A flower and chocolate combo delivered locally (Rostrevor, Newry, Warrenpoint, Hilltown, Kilkeel, maybe even Newcastle and Castlewellan if you ask nicely). A small bunch of flowers and a packet of NearyNogs chocolate slates £15 and large bunch (as shown in this picture) with the chocolates £20.
Over the next few weeks we will continue to partner together to offer ways for you to show love to friends and family, especially those who might be struggling with this extended lockdown. Gift/flower combos could include premium Wild About Soap handsoap or body butter or a nice journal or some chutney..... we can create something special for almost any occasion and combine it with a handwritten card if desired. Just get in touch!
goodcraicgifts@gmail.com
Or phone Belinda at Good Craic 079 369 77029
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