Colintraive Community Garden Project
2003 BEECHGROVE COMMUNITY GARDEN INITIATIVE
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The Community Garden is situated to the rear of Colintraive Village Hall. The Village Hall was built in 1960 on the site of the old Meal Mill and Smiddy and the original village Inn. The Bowling Green, built in 1994, is adjacent to the Hall.
The ground for the garden is probably just over half an acre, and for the last 50 years has been left to nature and for the sheep to graze the remnants of the old mill lade and pool. It was with this in mind that Lynn Harris, for the Beechgrove Garden, provided us with a design which incorporated the re-creation of the lade and pool.
Work commenced on the Garden Project on Saturday 24th May, giving the “locals” a fairly tight schedule with filming set for 23rd July. But, to their credit, everyone rose to the challenge and created a beautiful garden. There is no doubt that the pool, the sheer peace of the water, and the plants surrounding it are a beautiful centre piece.
The garden is now fronted by a striking stone dyke, and has two entrances, one of which is wheel chair friendly. All the paths within the garden allow access for the disabled, with picnic benches available for all.
We are very proud of our achievement in Colintraive. This was no mean task, and it only goes to show what a Community working together can achieve.
Thank you to everyone involved… another milestone in the history of Colintraive.
Alex McNaughton, chairperson.
Colintraive Village Hall Committee
Those of you with good memories might remember back to December 1998, when an article about the proposed “Village Hall Millennium Project” was included in the Parish community newsletter. Although continually on the agenda the project has foundered in the Slough of Unsuccessful Grant Applications. But after successfully applying to the Beechgrove Garden Community initiative, the renamed “Colintraive Community Garden Project” is now very much a reality.
The name may have changed, but the aim of the project remained the same: to provide an attractive and useful amenity for all, including pathway access; seating; a water feature reminiscent of the old mill lade; reconstruction of walls; a bridge; bird and bat boxes and planting of indigenous species to encourage wild life.
The cameraman, George, filmed the “before” scene and Lynn Harris, the designer, met with the Hall committee to discuss the layout and “wish list”. Lynn returned a fortnight later with a draft design for approval. The design was displayed in the Hall and comments were welcomed. Camera crews and presenters [Jim McColl et al] filmed on 24th and 25th July 2003 and the programme was broadcast the following week.
We did it!
It was with the goodwill and enthusiasm of the community that the required deadlines for work on the garden prior to filming in July were achieved. Over 4 years previously, many helped with the initial clearing, either giving of their time, muscles and equipment, or providing welcome refreshments for the labourers. In doing so again it not only made the project so much easier, but also created an atmosphere of fun and community spirit.
The Colintraive Community Garden Project has it’s own Factsheet on the Beechgrove Garden website www.beechgrove.co.uk in which we are able to acknowledge all the support and donations received.
Sara McLean
