GREEN-FINGERED volunteers working to breathe new life into a garden in rural East Lothian have received a £10,000 boost.
Gilmerton House Kitchen Garden’s Growing Matters will put the five-figure sum towards the building of a much-needed community shelter and workspace for volunteers.
The group is working to develop the old kitchen garden on the Gilmerton Estate, near Athelstaneford.
The volunteers are bringing the once derelict garden back to life and creating a productive space where people and plants can flourish.
June Tainsh, chairperson of the trustees, was delighted with the funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
She said: “This achievement is testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, particularly over the last two difficult years.
“The trustees are delighted that the building is now going ahead and can’t wait to see the benefits of this new area for the local community.”
The shelter and workspace will allow volunteers to host craft activities such as willow weaving, fabric dying and tuition in beekeeping.
Additionally, they aim to offer workshops to develop creativity in horticultural crafts, reskilling people in traditional, useful crafts which help to promote self-sufficiency and use of locally sourced materials – supplied from the garden as much as possible.
Since 2016, the group’s aim has been to provide a beautiful garden space for people and plants to grow – a perfect place for the nurture of health and wellbeing, and the promotion of biodiversity and sustainability.
Kate Still, The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland chairperson, was pleased to help out.
She said: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country.
“This project delivered by Growing Matters is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.”
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