Elusive flax flower spotted in Cookstown thanks Mid-Ulster District Council

Q Radio team

Mid-Ulster District Council has been experimenting with growing fibre flax in a raised planters in Moneymore Manor Park and at the A29 Loughry roundabout in Cookstown this year. 

It's part of a sustainability project to raise awareness of the traditional plant. 

The project is also aimed at getting local residents, school and groups involved in growing small patches of the plant. 

It's hoped that it will be done as a means of reconnecting with history, the local environment and almost forgotten skills. 

The idea for the project was brought to the Council by a local resident, Sebastian Graham. 

He has set up the 'Mills of Northern Ireland' website and has a strong interest in bringing back the growing of flax to the area, because of its legacy and history with the district. 

Sebastian said: 

"Flax was once a country wide crop at a time and in the 1860's/70's Cookstown had possibly the largest flax market in the UK selling roughly 60-100 tonnes a week. 

"The market was roughly where Coagh Street and Union Street are today. Magherafelt also had a market for flax in King Street."

Sebastian gives talks to groups about local mills and with some locals who can remember when flax was grown in the surrounding fields.