Muirton Ward garden gets fab facelift
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ALL is great in the garden for Muirton Ward patients in Buckie thanks to a combined community effort.
The garden area outside the conservatory at the old age assessment unit has been transformed thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Friends of Seafield Hospital and Community Patients in conjunction with Finechty Men's Shed.
Left looking dowdy and neglected after the pandemic, the area has been transformed with planters, artificial grass and slabbing laid by Moray Artificial Grass, outdoor furniture and a revamped potting shed. The area, including the fence, has also been given a much needed lick of paint.
Friends chairwoman Megan Walls said: "We're delighted to see the garden looking so good and we're really grateful to the Finechty Men's Shed for all their help.
"We were contacted by the family of a former Muirton patient who gave the Friends a donation which made all this work possible. It'll really make a difference to the Muirton patients to be able to sit outside here on a nice day. The garden really had become quite run down.
"We're also very grateful to Finechty Men's Shed for coming along and doing so much work.
"The garden is the biggest project we've done here for ages and we hope the patients enjoy it."
A chance comment was to get the members of Finechty Men's Shed on board with the project, as group member Alan Milne explained.
"Friends member Rhonda McIntosh mentioned to us about the garden and the work which needed done so we were glad to offer to help," he continued.
"We're always happy to help out the community. Usually we work in Findochty but a project like this benefits the wider community.
"Finechty Men's Shed meets on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday so we came over to Muirton on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There were about six of us each time so we soon made short work of doing what needed to be done."
Among the tasks the Men's Shed team put their backs into were revamping the potting shed, painting and putting in planters, including some attractive chimney pot versions.
The unveiling of the revitalised gardens was welcomed by Muirton Ward senior charge nurse Glen Erskine.
He commented: "This is going to make a huge difference in terms of the access to the garden for the patients, fresh air and the chance to get their hands dirty helping to look after it.
"It's all about the chance to experience feeling and touch and it's nice for people sitting in the conservatory to be able to look out and see the birds feeding.
"We're all very grateful to the Friends, Finechty Men's Shed and everyone else who contributed to this for the patients at Muirton. It's been a great community effort."
The Friends are always on the lookout for new members to help out at their fund-raising events. The cash they raise is used to purchase items, identified by either Seafield Hospital or Muirton Ward, needed by patients. Find out more at the group's Facebook page.
Finechty Men's Shed, which is open to men aged 18 and above, are also keen to hear from those interested in joining – visit their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter at @FinechtyShed for more information. They meet from 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
