Category: Glenfinart Walled Garden

Two years to the day when two members of Ardentinny Community Council raised the possibility of buying the derelict, hidden walled garden of the old Glenfinart estate, the community has achieved just this. On 28th March this year the title deeds were handed over to Ardentinny Community Trust (ACT) This was just in time for ACT to provide some children’s activities at the Forestry Commission’s annual Easter Eggstravaganza, including the opportunity for children to hang wishes on two apple and two pear trees which will be planted in the garden. Dennis Gower, convener, said “we want to thank all the individuals and organisations who have made the villagers’ wish come true. Special thanks must go to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Awards for All who have put their faith in us. What we have realised on the way is that this secret garden is welcomed by many people and organisations as a gift for Cowal adding to hope and optimism for the future. We believe people of all ages will benefit from its restoration and use.“

ACT is having an Open Day and Celebration on Saturday 5th May, beginning at 2p.m. including visits to the garden, information, teas and homebaking. A last word from Anna Williamson, Secretary of ACT “We hope everyone will come with their suggestions and wishes as we go forward to the next stage of work to provide a garden of which Cowal people can be proud.”

Merle Ferguson.

Arentinny Community Trust goes bag packing at Morrisons in Dunoon and find that the public mostly know about the Garden project  and are delighted to have it happening in Cowal.  Merle Ferguson provides some tips for future bagpacking…

Having had a great day on Saturday at Morrisons supermarket, Dunoon bag packing for the Walled Garden Funds.:

1. You have to book very far ahead so don’t do as we did and have the actual day sneak up on you, like Christmas does, when you think its ages away.
2. At least 2 months before your allocated date, and before they can organize to do something else that day, ask friends and  villagers  for a couple of hours of their time. We had more than  eight  good people  who would have come (seriously) if they weren’t otherwise booked.
3.  Have  some extra folks in reserve  because someone’s bound to have to pull out on the day.
4.  Don’t put a notice asking for volunteers on the village notice board.  It doesn’t work. Well, would you make the telephone call? Be honest.
5.  Help  your till manager by dressing up  to cheer up those faces looking at you while  queuing (especially the kids). Everyone is actually very patient in the face of  the purse fumbling, card losing, bottle breaking public (just like you and me!)  Next time we are dressing up as  fairies!! (only kidding).
6.  Three hours is the absolute maximum  to pack before taking a break… best to have three – 2hr shifts shared out.  The good bit is that  if anyone need to leave they can do just that without any fuss.
7.  When everyone tells you they’ve read about your project in the local rag and  think it’s just great for Cowal… don’t go kissing them… there isn’t time!
8. Remember to get some coin bags from the Bank and leave plenty more time for counting up the hundreds of pennies.

Merle Ferguson

Members of Ardentinny Community Trust warmly welcomed MSP Mike Russell and local Councillor Ron Simon to the Glenfinart Walled Garden in Ardentinny.

The local MSP and Councillor congratulated trust convener, Dennis Gower, on the Trust agreeing the purchase of the garden from the Forestry Commission, a purchase that has been made possible with funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the National Lottery’s Awards for All program and the creative fund raising efforts of the local community.

Mike Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, enthused about the potential of the garden, siting established projects in Campbeltown and the Organic Growers of Fairlie as great examples of how community gardens can bring positive social and environmental benefits to communities.

Situated near the shores of Loch Long, the Grade B listed walled garden, featuring a unique curved wall, is a ‘hidden gem’. Designed as part of the original Glenfinart Estate the working garden included a series glass houses, orchards and vegetable plots. Now only the walls of the garden and some fruit trees remain.

With backing from the local community, the Ardentinny Community Trust are purchasing the garden with the express aim of turning it back into a community resource and saving it from dereliction. They have plans to reinstate the garden for food growing, recreation and environmental education and have recently appointed a project officer, Hannah Clinch, to support these developments with the backing of funding from LEADER.

If you would like more information about the Glenfinart Walled garden or would like to volunteer then please contact the Ardentinny Community Trust info@glenfinartgarden.org or visit www.GlenfinartGarden.org

Hannah Clinch

Despite the rain, Ardentinny Community Trust welcomed Cowalfest walkers to Glenfinart Walled Garden on Saturday 15th October. Walkers were able to go around the garden and also view a small exhibition on the project.

It was a plan hatched at a Highlands and Islands Enterprise conference in Ardfern last year. There, Cowalfest organiser, Diane McCormack met with Trust members and suggested they might like to include the Glenfinart garden in this year’s programme.

The Trust hopes to build on this and have garden visits and walks included in Cowalfest 2012.

Two weeks after receiving the necessary funding to purchase Glenfinart Walled Garden, Ardentinny Community Trust Ltd. has received additional grants from the Scottish Government, European Community & Argyll & The Islands LEADER 2007-2013 programme and Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) to fund a self-employed, part-time Project Officer to support the board of directors to develop a social enterprise. The total value of this contract is £10,000, to which the Trust contributed £1,000,with the remaining £9,000 coming from LEADER (50%) and HIE (50%), respectively.

The successful candidate will identify funding sources, prepare funding applications and supporting information, including community consultations and engagement, and will update the Business Plan as the funding package develops. Applicants need to have experience of fundraising, community engagement and work in the public, private and third sectors. The closing date for applications is 26 October, 2011. The contract is currently being advertised in the Dunoon Observer & Argyllshire Standard, on www.ardentinny.org and on other websites.

Additional funding has also been secured from the Scottish Government, European Community & Argyll & The Islands LEADER 2007-2013 programme (£6,295) and The Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme (£2,000) which, together with £3295 from Ardentinny Trust, will help with other start up costs, e.g.,the provision of a storage facility, tools etc.

Trust Convenor, Dennis Gower, said ‘It is very heartening to see our Glenfinart Garden project garnering such support and, as the news spreads, we receive even more expressions of encouragement and offers of help.’

This weekend the Trust is participating in the Cowalfest programme by welcoming walkers to Glenfinart walled garden at 10.30 and 13.00 on Saturday 15th October. There, they will be welcome to view the garden in its present state and receive information on the project’s progress and future plans.