Community Fund – Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens – July Update
What a great month in the gardens! We’ve had a host of important guests, new groups, our wonderful regular volunteers and so much fresh produce that everyone is going home with bags full of vegetables they have grown together.
Firstly we would like to say a big thank you to Kezia Dugdale MSP, Alison Johnstone MSP, Councillor Gavin Corbett and Dick Fitzpatrick NHS Lothians for showing great support after the news of the relocation. All taking time out of their busy schedules to meet in the gardens to discuss the future plans and relocation of our site. We feel humbled with their support and look forward to working with them over the coming months during this time of change. Our small gift of strawberries and lettuce was a token to show our appreciation of their help.
Kezia Dugdale MSP and Dick Fitzpatrick meeting RECG team to talk about the garden relocation
The fun has definitley been in full flow this month as harvesting is our main activity. Sadly the strawberries have finished but with such an abundance for the three weeks they fruited they were very much enjoyed, so much so that everybody visiting got given a punnet to enjoy. We are now enjoying tayberries and blackcurrants while we watch the brambles are rippen. There has been enough broadbeans, kale, chard and spinach to ensure everyone in the gardens are eating enough greens to keep them fit and healthy. And the rule is that no-one can leave the gardens without a lettuce under their arm so please come along, give a hand and enjoy one or all of the above!
We were delighted that representatives from the World Development Trust were able to donate a mornings work at the garden too. Luckily for us it was our week to turn the compost so those extra helping hands really made a difference so thank you Liz, Jane and Eddie.
Natures Play is proving to be as popular as ever with over 40 pre-schoolers and parents coming each week to get involved in woodland play and gardening activities. We are delighted that there are even more keen young greenfingers enjoying the garden.
And finally a big thank you to all our fabulous regular volunteers who make the continual difference to the garden. With their on going support we are able to supply two restaurants from the Edinburgh Larder Chain with a beautiful box of vegetables each week as well as enough for the volunteers to take home themselves – a small reward for their amazing hardwork and dedication.