Glenfinart Walled Garden’s patron and friend, Sophie Thompson/Lumsden recently planted a plum tree in the garden’s fledgling orchard. She was also kind enough to share her thoughts on this special garden project:
The Glenfinart walled garden feels like it is reclaiming something so utterly nourishing for the local community, literally getting down to the roots of the enchanting place that is Ardentinny. [pullquote]It made us feel so honoured to be a wee part of such an awesome community endeavour.[/pullquote]
The inclusive nature of a garden that embraces all ages, something organic that lies at the very heart of the village, that everyone can be a part of and benefit from, is the sort of thing that can lift a spirit and make a person want to burst in to song!
I spared Anna and Bill Williamson that as we went along on a bright day in February (Yes BRIGHT!) to plant a Plum tree. I just felt plugged in to something so special.
Visited said Plum with Mr Plumsden and the kids a few weeks later. It made us feel so honoured to be a wee part of such an awesome community endeavour.
An utterly fecund place for the roots of Ardentinny to be tended and flourish.
Sophie and her sister Emma Thompson are patrons of Glenfinart Walled Garden.
Glenfinart Walled Garden, Ardentinny will be joining with Forestry Commission Scotland to celebrate the Eggstravaganza on Easter monday (1 April) from 10.30 am. Besides giving the adults an opportunity to look around and see the changes from last year we will again have fun things for the children to do, seed planting, pin the egg on the bunny (with chocolate eggs to win) make a chalk picture on slate etc…
Come and find out what it’s all about, even if it snows !!!
Ardentinny residents and visitors warmly welcomed a team from Beechgrove Garden on Wednesday, 6 March. The Glenfinart Walled Garden’s application for inclusion in this year’s Beechgrove programming had been shortlisted and the programme’s producer, their garden designer and a researcher came along to give a small presentation on what could be expected, if our garden was selected, and to meet local people and visit the garden itself.
Garden designer Lynn Harris
Producer Gwyneth Hardy began by introducing her colleagues, Landscape Designer, Lynn Harris and Researcher, Stacey Shear. She then went on to explain what the Beechgrove Garden Community Garden initiative would bring to the Glenfinart Walled Garden project, should it be chosen as one of the three community gardens to be featured from a shortlist of 12.
This year, for the first time, Beechgrove will go out UK wide. There will be a Thursday night showing in Scotland only, to be repeated on Sunday afternoons in Scotland and broadcast to the rest of the UK. This should provide even greater exposure for the chosen projects and their locations.
Gwyneth explained that Beechgrove does not do all the work. Instead it acts as an enabler, a catalyst, providing projects with a kick start and a helping hand. The first of these is a deadline. Whatever the agreed plan, it will need to be completed by the end of July, August, or September, depending on which programme deadline is agreed for each garden.
The second, and probably the most important source of assistance, is the guidance and expertise of Beechgrove’s Landscape designer Lynn Harris. Rather than impose her ideas, she would work together with the community in drawing up a realistic plan for a particular phase of the garden, along with a planting plan and construction plan. She would also help in sourcing materials and would manage the project off-site with regular visits at crucial stages.
The Beechgrove Team visit the garden
Finally, in addition to completing a worthwhile gardening project for and by the community, the surrounding area would benefit enormously from having a whole programme focussing on its horticulture and beautiful gardens.
After questions, everyone visited the garden where they were able to chat about the project on site. Thereafter, it was back to the village hall, for tea and a mountain of home baking. While we’ve been told that the competition is fierce and the odds are 3:1, there is a group of very enthusiastic and optimistic folks in Cowal hopeful that Ardentinny’s Glenfinart Walled Garden will be one of the Beechgrove community gardens featured this year.
Dennis Gower plants one of the fruit trees with some of the volunteers
On 31st January, stalwart supporters of Glenfinart Walled Garden,who still remember when an orchard grew there, turned up to begin planting 30 young fruit trees brought by John Hancox, from The Commonwealth Orchard. John is the person who began Apple Day, which is now celebrated every year in the Scottish Parliament. He is also an expert in Scottish Heritage Trees.
Leigh Hamilton, ranger with the National Park, brought 4 volunteers to help and along with some local people, a good start was made in spite of the very wet weather. Bill Williamson, Convenor of Ardentinny Community Trust thanked Leigh and also, John Brown (Strone) Ltd who have contributed to making the garden safe for volunteers. He also thanked
