Huge Progress

During the summer Audrey, Caroline, Joyce and Paul continued to do a great deal of additional work on the garden, both keeping it in order and planting lots more shrubs and plants etc. They have done a fantastic job.

When we finally arrived home, we went up to the garden via the Main Street and on turning the corner into the garden - WOW, what a sight, all the flowers were in full bloom and the banking was full of nasturtiums, what an array of colour.
As can be seen from this picture there has been a great deal of work done to make the garden attractive to all.

Beith Development Trust helped by including the garden in the Main Street revamp project and have painted the stair, provided a red Community Garden Board and a sign above the notice board which we had installed some time before the opening day. The Trust also provided the gazebo/bandstand which will be seen at the top of the high area. The picnic table at the high area was donated by the Community Pay Back team.    Audrey Addies' guides painted the tiles which can be seen on the newly bricked up section behind the blue picnic bench. This bench was donated by Taigh Mor Care Home.

This is the gazebo donated by the trust.

Litter picking is done regularly by several individuals including ourselves. Brian Smith and his grandson and Fergus Highgate always pick on their way past. Streetscene provided the bin and we change the bag when it is full and place it beside the bin already in position just round the corner in Main Street.              

                                                    Rose and Caroline enjoying a cuppa during a break from work.

These are some of the painted stones which Lisa has donated

 

 

At last year's Christmas Lights & Laughter event, John Irvine arrived with his big fairground ride and set it up from the pavement right up past the mid-way of the garden, this did a little damage but all was made good again with the assistance of the always helpful John Smith of Smith Brothers Ltd.

When visiting the Snowdrop Festival in Dalry at Blair Estate, we asked if it would be possible to have some of the tree sections which had been cut so that we could make a table and wee seats for little people. These were given gladly and are now in place. One wee lad comes in several times a week to see if his worm is still under one if the blocks, as expected the worms are always there.

You will see we have also installed several vegetable planters after receiving a grant from the Trust. These have been very well used by unknown locals. One lady brought her wee granddaughter in and described how she used to carry a bag of sugar and dip a stalk of rhubarb in it as a treat - Hopefully these days are not yet departed!
The planters contain Rhubarb, Gooseberries, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Strawberries and several herbs which are there for use by anyone who wishes to use them. The cabbages were well used, mainly before they were mature, however that is why the produce is there - to be used.
We have another planter which has still to be installed and will be shortly if we can get a break in the weather.

Recently the Townhouse celebrated their 200th anniversary and the small parade assembled in the garden before setting off along the Main Street heading to the Townhouse. This was a great day for the town and something which will add to the history of the area.
Everyone was dressed in period costume which really made it an "occasion". A serious amount of time, research and work goes into these kind of events.

Opposite is the red sign donated by the Trust and also some tiles which have been painted and by Caroline's granddaughter Annaliese and installed by Harry, her granddad.

Readers will have by this time seen how great a community effort the garden has been and how it has given the town something which they can be proud of.