Arran Community Land Initiative – The Friday Garden Party
Earlier this year Arran Community Land Initiative benefited from a small amount of money to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of working in the natural environment. You may have seen the posters in various places around Arran and the recent advert in the Arran Banner.
We ran an 8 week pilot and we were heartened to have between three and 12 people come along each Friday morning from 10am -12.30pm, so much so that the trustees agreed to extend the Friday Garden Party for as long as we can continue to fund it.
Participants have worked with our supervisor Darren to sow meadow mixture on the hillside; sow, plant and weed beds of fruit and vegetables; bash Bracken back from recently planted trees; make comfrey liquid feed and generally get involved in community growing.
The Garden Party is not just about getting your hands dirty, but having fun, supporting each other and learning about horticulture in a beautiful place. You can also take home some of the produce that you help to grow. During the session Rob and Nanette make the tea and provide cake to keep our strength up and have a break for conversation.
At last week’s Garden Party we had a visit from an agricultural consultant and everyone had the chance to listen and contribute to ideas for constructing a plan for the community land.
We would welcome anyone who has a bit of time on a Friday morning to come along and join in. We are a supportive bunch, there is always something which needs doing and if transport is a problem we can try to help with this.
If interested just turn up at The Hub on the Land Initiative at 10am on a Friday or speak with Rob Cowieson, Darren Townsend or myself, Nick Burgess at 700540
– NEWS – A SPACE HAS COME UP ON THE ALLOTMENTS –
We have an allotment looking for a new tenant. Allotment holders also get an opportunity to use space in a polytunnel. If anyone is interested in becoming a half or full plot holder please contact Nick Burgess at nick.cheryl25@btinternet.com
There are a great bunch of Allotmenteers, plenty of company, good advice and a lovely spot to get away from it all. The current rental is £60 per year.