By Katrina Goldsmith
Planning is underway for a series of community garden projects around Midlothian.
The garden will provide a space where families, groups and individuals can get together to get away from the digital technologies which are so prominent in our daily lives. It is hoped that the garden will provide the community with a space to socialise and enjoy a range of activities in the great outdoors, thus improving the bond of the community and boosting health and wellbeing.
A Crowdfunder page was set up in early January and awareness for the Crowdfunder page was communicated by reaching out to communities on Facebook and getting involved in small village markets to spread the news through word of mouth. Wellbeing Essentials successfully raised over £30,000 in under 70 to fund their inspirational woodland garden. The money raised will go towards the construction and decorating of the garden. When the project is fully completed it will include gym equipment, outdoor table tennis, flower beds, Community spaces, food growing beds, model railway and e-bike hire and much more.
Roslin community garden plans have currently been put on hold as Wellbeing Essentials awaits planning permission from the council.
In the meantime, the social enterprise has been working on another community garden project in Glencorse. Land gifted to Wellbeing Essential by the Glencorse Association charity.
Wellbeing essential’s officer, Jim Hiddleston stated: “We are optimistic about getting planning for the garden, but whilst we are waiting, we are preparing to start the hard work on our next project in Glencorse. We have started working on creating a Nature Activity Park around the Centre and are working with them to add many new features to the large grounds around the centre that are currently grass areas.”
The plot has plenty of space to create a thriving and natural environment for the community and wildlife to enjoy. The space is intended to serve the community, a Wellbeing Essential cabin is included in the plans and it is hoped the space will be used for the activity groups run by the centre, social events, and weddings.
The Glencorse community garden is set to begin construction on the 18th of November. With the aid of landscape gardeners and the local community, construction is to begin with building a landscaped deer relaxation station. Additionally, Volunteers from Glencorse Centre and Wellbeing Essentials have volunteered to help plant 600 trees will be planted around the woodland garden. Alongside this, a pétanque piste is set to begin construction on the 7th of November.