Builders thanked by gardeners

A plot at Merrylee Allotments on Glasgow’s Southside has been made more accessible to people with disabilities, thanks to local builders’ merchants, Travis Perkins.

Materials to create raised beds and a slabbed path for better access for people with limited mobility were provided, along with advice and guidance on what to do.  Said Carr Gomm Community Development worker, Kevin Fullerton: ‘We’d like to thank Bryan Mawer and his team at the Muirend branch of Travis Perkins for their terrific support. Along with the help of plot holders at Merrylee Allotment Association, the efforts of our own participants and matched funding from the Moffat Charitable Trust, the plot has been transformed.’

Twice weekly facilitated gardening sessions have been taking place at the plot since 2010. Last year it was agreed that raised beds and a slabbed path would make gardening more accessible to more people. Carr Gomm is a support charity which works to enable people to live life the way they choose and to play a part in their local community.

Kevin added: ‘We hope this work will encourage more people to get involved and enjoy the benefits of growing their own fruit, vegetables and flowers while getting some exercise in the open air.’

Person centred, Car Gomm provides support at home and through its Community Development team of trained and committed workers. See www.carr-gomm.org for further information.

 

Global garden to celebrate the Games

Glasgow’s first Commonwealth Garden was formally opened this week when Councillor Archie Graham attended the event at North West Women’s Centre in Maryhill and helped plant heather to represent Scotland.

Created by women of the centre following a design by Jane Gibb, the garden was funded by a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Awards For All Fund.

Plants represent the main countries of the Commonwealth and their continents.

On one side Asia blooms with bamboo, rhododendron and irises. India is represented with a herb tea plant section and Europe’s space uses beautiful geraniums, roses and other plants.

Flora from the Americas, Africa and Australasia includes a maple tree for Canada, large spiky bushes for New Zealand and America, grasses from Africa and a plethora of colourful flowers from all three areas.

Over the next two years the Women’s Commonwealth Garden will have a project for local children to help them learn more about Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow in 2014. The children will make gold and silver ‘medals’ on sticks to put into the garden next to the plants or flowers of the countries which win them.