Mount Ericht Community Garden
In March 2021, Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust became the proud owners of land at Mount Ericht, Rattray, purchased with a view to creating a Community Garden for the town
The well known and well respected local community group Blair in Bloom had approached the Trust in February 2020 to request assistance to acquire this Community Asset by means of a funding application to the Scottish Land Fund. As a long term leaseholder of the site, they recognised the untapped potential of the former walled garden, both for the wider benefits it could bring to the community as well as securing it for their continuing use.
The well known and well respected local community group Blair in Bloom had approached the Trust in February 2020 to request assistance to acquire this Community Asset by means of a funding application to the Scottish Land Fund. As a long term leaseholder of the site, they recognised the untapped potential of the former walled garden, both for the wider benefits it could bring to the community as well as securing it for their continuing use.
The Trust immediately agreed to take this forward having worked successfully alongside Blair in Bloom and also knowing their excellent reputation and valuable role in the town. Having undertaken an assessment of community needs, including a local survey, community support for the project was evident - the proposed project immediately inspired and engaged a number of schools, groups, and individuals who voiced a wish to participate and help with the Community Garden.
And so, after many meetings, reams of paperwork a great deal of blood, sweat, and a few tears, a funding application was submitted to the Scottish Land Fund. We were delighted that this was successful, allowing the purchase to proceed in the Trust's name and allowing us to work on an ongoing basis with Blair in Bloom and many other community groups and individuals who will all come together to create a fantastic legacy for the town. And then the hard work of bringing the vision to a reality really began!
And so, after many meetings, reams of paperwork a great deal of blood, sweat, and a few tears, a funding application was submitted to the Scottish Land Fund. We were delighted that this was successful, allowing the purchase to proceed in the Trust's name and allowing us to work on an ongoing basis with Blair in Bloom and many other community groups and individuals who will all come together to create a fantastic legacy for the town. And then the hard work of bringing the vision to a reality really began!
Feature in Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine - Summer Edition
Thanks to the Hub Magazine for publishing our article about the Community Garden. Read the magazine in full HERE. We're in the centre pages!
Thanks to the Hub Magazine for publishing our article about the Community Garden. Read the magazine in full HERE. We're in the centre pages!
Can you Dig It?
Not long after the purchase completed, local contractors Robert Smith Contractors arrived on site with diggers, dump trucks and a skip to remove all the overgrown vegetation and the rubbish which had accumulated over a good number of years. The original cobbled courtyard was uncovered and the stone walls saw the light of day for the first time in many years. Excellent quality topsoil has emerged, which was used to level the site, and then the planting of the tatties could begin!
Not long after the purchase completed, local contractors Robert Smith Contractors arrived on site with diggers, dump trucks and a skip to remove all the overgrown vegetation and the rubbish which had accumulated over a good number of years. The original cobbled courtyard was uncovered and the stone walls saw the light of day for the first time in many years. Excellent quality topsoil has emerged, which was used to level the site, and then the planting of the tatties could begin!
Blooming Tatties!
It's August and the Blair in Bloom team are trying to finish harvesting the potatoes! A number of bags of tatties were recently donated to the BaRI Food Project based at Rattray Hall. A derelict building contained within the garden has been fenced off and we now have enough money to re-roof a smaller building. A number of local groups have used the large polytunnel for evening meetings, including the Blairgowrie and Rattray Illuminations Committee. And we recently held a Board Meeting at the garden, in the baking hot sun!
