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.

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.

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.

[Click images to enlarge]

Glenfinart Walled Garden newsletter – Issue 2 (PDF)

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

The first month of the New Year sees some major work going ahead in Glenfinart Walled Garden. Thanks to David Robertson and colleagues from the Forestry Commission the ground has been cleared for the arrival of 30 fruit trees on Thursday, 31st January.

John Forth from the National Park is organizing half a dozen volunteers to help with planting along with our volunteer co-ordinator, John Kloumann. John Hancox from the Children’s Commonwealth Orchard  will be on hand to advise. We plan to have plenty of hot soup and sandwiches. Weather permitting of course, we will be glad to see anyone who would like to lend some time and energy on the day or even to just come and say hello.

Ardentinny Community Trust would like to thank all of the above and also a special thank you to Jim Robinson, Ardentinny, who stepped in during an emergency with good humour , much hard work and expertise! For more information you can contact Bill, Convener, tel. 01369 810238 or Merle, Secretary, tel 01369 810220.

Merle Ferguson.

The ambitious Glenfinart Walled Garden project took a major step forward this week with the installation of a 24 square metre log cabin. The building will be used as the main administrative centre for the project.

Trust Convenor Bill Williamson said “2012 has been a remarkable year for Ardentinny. With the support of the community and our funders, we have acquired this historic garden and are now on the way to returning it to its former glory”.

Despite the freezing conditions on Tuesday, the crew from Forest Craft completed the cabin build before nightfall. Volunteers from the village also braved the elements to dispose of the recently felled birch trees and goat willow.

Over the coming weeks the group will be planting some 30 fruit trees in the garden as well as fitting out their new premises.

The Trust would very much welcome additional help. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Bill or Anna on 810238, Merle or Dennis on 810220 or Jimmy on 810170.

[HTML1]