Preparing for the opening day

There is still a lot of work to do leading up to the day of opening. 

David Scott has now delivered several loads of wood chippings which are in process of being spread and we have also had several loads of 19mm stone delivered. As always, the John Muir Trust have assisted with the spreading of the wood chip, and the Community Pay Back squad have done wonders with the stone. Individuals have also helped when they can with the back breaking toil. 

Altogether this has been a fantastic community effort and the results are now beginning to be seen and appreciated by the town folks.

We are now at the point where we have started to install plants and shrubs in the various tubs and on the banking ready for the opening day which has been decided on as the end of May 2016 prior to us heading off for our last trip in our old motorhome in Canada.

Many folk have donated plants, and tubs already containing plants. Ann Clark being the largest donor to date.

There was a flurry of activity leading up to the opening which was very well attended. The set-up in the morning was again damp but as time went on the weather brightened and we had a good day.

By this time we had received grants and donations of necessary money which allowed us to achieve great progress. The main donations have been from North Ayrshire Council and the Christian Action Group (Thrift Shop), plus many individual cash donations. All donations are recorded on the information board.

We worked diligently and toiled on with everything now starting to look like a garden and much better than had been anticipated. As the work progressed, many more donations of plants and planters were received.

 

With the project now nearing the grand opening day and everyone working flat out to help to make it happen, we must record our sincere thanks to everyone who has taken an interest in the area. Some sceptics have commented that it couldn't happen and that it would be subject to damage and theft, however the whole project has met with nothing but enthusiasm from far and wide and has proved to be a great asset to the town.

This photo is taken just the day before the grand opening and mainly shows the progress from a badly littered area to a very acceptable and nice place, albeit in the rain.