Community Growing

Lockdown has seen families and residents in central Alexandria getting dug into their community garden spaces.

With the support of local charity the Leamy Foundation they have planted 24 fruit trees, 80 herb plants and a mountain of kale.

And they're now getting to harvest and enjoy their fresh produce.

Kevin Mason, project manager for the Leamy Foundation, said: "During lockdown we had families and individual residents helping to maintain the beds and do improvements to the kitchen garden in Alexander Street and putting plants in McAllister Road as you head down to the river.

"Between them they've planted a community orchard, lots of herbs and put in three more perennial beds to bring more colour to the place and that has got other people talking about it and wanting to get involved.

"We've also had people want to get involved in a small art project which we can help with by supplying the materials."

With lockdown easing the Leamy Foundation is also starting back its weekly gardening sessions at St Mungo's and keeping in line with government guidance.

Kevin explained: "We need a bit more structure to our weekly outdoor activities, so for now places are limited. We're in St Mungo's on a Monday between 10 - 1pm.

"We are also looking for volunteers to join the Learn & Grow Hit Squad to help with small landscaping projects, planting trees, grass-cutting and maintaining outdoor spaces in various local schools and nurseries.

"We were working in 16 communities across West Dunbartonshire pre-Covid and we will be working step-by-step withe schools to start this again when we can."

To get involved with a local community garden near you contact the Leamy Foundation's Facebook page or email info@theleamyfoundation.com