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This project was to implement five community garden projects between April and September 2002 as part of the Community Gardens element of the Tern TV Beechgrove Garden series.
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
"Although the secret garden project was not the first community effort that our group has undertaken it was certainly the most exacting. Community pride soared as we watched the TV programme featuring our work. It effectively put us on the map and it has given us something to live up to. If we can do that what else can we do?"
Forward Scotland agreed to provide £16,000 towards the implementation of five community garden projects scheduled for completion between April and September 2002 as part of the Community Gardens element of the Tern TV Beechgrove Garden series.
The garden here is in a central location in the village. It had been part of a larger garden that had been developed in the past, walled off by a 2 metre wall and neglected for a number of years but there were some mature trees. The land was owned by East Lothian Council which was an active partner in the Secret Garden project.
Following the first visit of the Beechgrove team garden designer James Gordon, in conjunction with Daphne Fleming and the other committee members of the 'In Bloom' group, designed the garden. A low wall shaped roughly like a figure of eight, varying in height from 450mm to almost ground level to represent waves encloses a hard surfaced playing/ seating area. Children are able to clamber onto and sit on the wall. Access to the hard surfaced area is via a brushed concrete wheelchair-friendly footpath with handrail. There is also a stepped 'short-cut' for the children.
With the help of a local artist children have created mosaics which reflect both the history of the garden and its aims. A picnic table with seats and a circular seat around one of the trees will encourage people to linger in the garden.
By preserving the best of the trees - mainly oaks and ash - a woodland atmosphere is retained. This restful feel is enhanced by a wide variety of plants. Lesley Watson introduced an area of planting that will attract wildlife. One of the plants in this area is Dianthus 'Cockenzie'. This plant was sourced and sponsored by a local family, and is symbolic of the community involved in the project. A scented area alongside the entrance pathway is an added attraction.
For year round interest, a 'time-line' of flowering plants has been introduced, as suggested by Professor Last, Patron of the 'In-Bloom' group. These plants will give interest every month of the year.
An old wooden gate has been replaced by a spectacular new one - the design of which is the result of a competition held earlier in 2002. It was unveiled by Linzi Dixon, the 2002 Gala Queen and Mrs Peggy Johnston, the oldest resident of Osbourne Court Sheltered Housing complex.
A very active Community Council are a driving force and make Cockenzie and Port Seton a good place to live. An offshoot is the "In Bloom" group whose efforts gained the village a place in the 2001 and 2002 finals of Beautiful Scotland. The group normally meets monthly. "Meetings were regular and lengthy. Everyone voiced their opinion. Majority decisions were carried forward."
KEY PARTNERS
This community garden was the outcome of a partnership between Forward Scotland and the Beechgrove Garden (BBC/ Tern TV)
Forward Scotland were a funder and had the following roles as a partner
- Visiting each community garden, meeting with representatives of the community and their garden designer and providing guidance and support on issues of sustainable development which could enhance project outputs
- Providing guidance and support to the BBC and Tern TV on issues of sustainable development
- Providing guidance on an appropriate evaluation framework for the project
- Drafting and designing a fact sheet for distribution by Tern TV
- Providing a direct link from the Forward Scotland Website to the Beechgrove Garden website.
The residents of Cockenzie and Port Seton and local businesses were also key partners without whom the garden could not have been constructed.
FUNDERS
There were a large number of in kind donations, including:
Gosford Timber, Longniddry donated the picnic table
Strawberry Corner Garden Centre donated a large parasol for the table
Longniddry and District Rotary Club funded the plants for the time line
Castle Rock Housing Association funded the handrail
Daphne Fleming and Gordon Clarke part funded the gate
Each of the 6 sections of a circular bench round a tree is being sponsored by local people.
The following gave financial support:
Beechgrove Garden
Scottish Natural Heritage
The Cooperative Society
Greentrax Recordings, Cockenzie Business Centre, Cockenzie
Self Expressions Hairdressers, Links Road, Port Seton
Dr. Pollock and Partners, Cockenzie Health Centre
W. A. Muir, Roofers and Plasterers, Manse Lane, Port Seton
J. Robertson, Links Road Garage, Port Seton
Cha's Chip Shop, Seton Place, Port Seton
New Look Hairdressers, Barracks Street, Port Seton
Lothian, Borders and Angus Cooperative Society
British Legion (Cockenzie and Port Seton Branch)
Mr and Mrs D. Paton
Mrs E Bowers
Cockenzie Power Station gave the use of a platform hoist (Cherry Picker)
THEMATIC CRITERIA
East Lothian ; Parks / Gardens; Education; Local Amenities
Plan
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To create a garden which would be a safe environment where children could learn about nature and the principles of bio-diversity and where older people and parents and toddlers could enjoy peaceful and sheltered surroundings.
The aim of the "Time Line" border is for it to be a time line for flowers and so will have flowers in bloom every month of the year except December. Children in the community have planted plants, which flower in the month of their birthday.
OUTPUTS
This work has provided a central focus for community activity and the development of environmental awareness. It has increased the number of local people involved in community and environment activity and has contributed to biodiversity. It is an amenity equally available to all. Visitors to the garden come to find out about principles of sustainability.
FUTURE STEPS
Work is continuing at different sites in the town. There is now an enhanced level of knowledge and skill which means people can increase the enjoyment they get from spending their time doing environmental work.
This year some land around the school will be getting the treatment from the gardening team in partnership with the PTA.
Progress
Creation of the Secret Garden
East Lothian Council's Landscape and Countryside Department cleared the site of unwanted or unhealthy trees, tree stumps and an accumulation of almost 20 years rubbish. Council staff then levelled the site.
One of the problems encountered early on was the restricted access to the garden - through the small wooden door. Heavy machinery, stones for the walls and other heavy, bulky items had to be lifted over the wall by crane or J.C.B. Tree stumps and the vast amount of rubbish etc. had to be removed the same way. This was done by East Lothian Council's Transportation Department.
Construction
The position of the walls and pathway was marked out, the local stonemason Gardner Molloy of Matchless Masonry built the walls.
The wall foundations, wheelchair ramp and hard standing were built by Grant McKinnon and his team from Four Seasons Landscaping Ltd., Wester Melville Farm Cottages, Lasswade who gave freely of their time, help and expertise.
Meanwhile, local volunteers started the unenviable task of preparing the ground for planting removing weeds, stones, bricks and old tree roots. After clearing the ground, topsoil provided by East Lothian Council and composted bark mulch to suppress weeds were spread over the planting areas.
Andrew Watt and Son, Blacksmith, Thurston crafted the wrought iron gate and the handrail alongside the wheelchair ramp.
Local children and adults got together under the expert eye of Neil Russell, local artist, to make the mosaics which are positioned around the garden - 'secrets' for the children to find! Neil who over the last few years has supervised the creation of the mosaics, which form visual focal points around Cockenzie and Port Seton, volunteered his service for this project. Topps Tiles, Edinburgh gave the tiles for the mosaics.
Review
ACHIEVEMENTS
A beautiful garden which is an environmental amenity for the whole community
The garden is highly successful. Demand is greater than the garden has capacity to cope with. The town now has a large number of visitors who have come to see the garden. This has brought income into the town.
Interests in the project remains high. Current maintenance is carried out by volunteers. The "In Bloom" group intend to carry on indefinitely. They are currently working on new gardens for the school and updating some of their earlier projects.
The community council won an award as the leading community council in Scotland. There are strong local characters with lots of enthusiasm and this is infectious. A large number of people are involved in community activity both on committees and volunteering.
LESSONS
The fact that the garden was going to be the subject of a television programme was also a huge incentive for people to get involved. A regular newsletter is used to advertise for volunteers and inform residents of the project.
"Go for it". This organisation started with "a bit of ground with a few plants in it".
First, establish the ownership of the site and check with the local council planning offices for permission.
Identify the needs of the community
Be realistic about the ability of your group. Identify skills and expertise and sources of funding.
Check out if you need insurance cover and observe health and safety measures when working on site.
Value every person involved. Goodwill is all.
The town has won a number of awards for it's environment work which has also been encouraging. Success leads to success. Judging dates for the competitions give a focus to the work.
The relationship with the local council is extremely important.
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