Glenfinart Walled Garden has been chosen to receive a grant from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme. These funds will be used to improve access to the garden and provide disabled parking.

Tesco has teamed up with greenspace scotland to launch its Bags of Help initiative across Scotland. The scheme will see three community groups and projects awarded grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag charge.

Bags of Help offers community groups and projects in each of Tesco’s regions across the UK a share of revenue generated from the five pence charge levied on single-use carrier bags.

The public will now vote in store from 27 February until 6 March on who should receive the £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 awards.

Voting in this region will take place in Tesco’s Helensburgh Store.

January issue of Gardener’s Blether, the newsletter of Glenfinart Walled Garden (PDF).

Ardentinny Community Trust is delighted to report that Dennis Gower is the recipient of a Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Community Partnership ‘Long Standing Champion Award’.

The award was presented at the Partnership’s Annual Gathering which this year was entitled “Food for Thought’ to reflect the role that food and drink can play in community life. Very apt, considering that Dennis was the driving force which took Ardentinny’s Glenfinart Walled Garden project from initial approach on the community’s first right to buy; through a village-wide consultation process; subsequent purchase; and development of the garden to what it is today. Namely, a community space which includes a welcoming and contemplative sensory garden; an orchard; a children’s garden; and a productive organic vegetable garden, all made possible by the dedicated hard work of a number of volunteer organisations and individuals. The project benefits the local and wider community in a variety of ways, offering support and development while catering for special needs.

However Dennis’ contribution to community is not confined to the garden. He has served as a community councillor for the past 9 years and, on the Council’s behalf, was instigatory in negotiations with Forestry Commission Scotland on a local hydro scheme. Therefore, this ‘Long Standing’ award is both fitting and deserved.