Birley Bush garden in Kemnay continues to flourish

Birley Bush community garden and allotments at Kemnay was fairly buzzing with activity on Saturday.

Since its creation out of a barren 'orphan' space this venture has flourished just like the many flowers, plants, trees and shrubs that now populate it.

One of the founders Sue Wainman explained: "We wanted it to be a place where we can play, grow, plan, discuss, gain skills, laugh, find friends and grow as a group and as individuals:"

Birley Bush certainly now ticks all the boxes.

One visitor on Saturday was Rosa Lopez with baby Emma who had come to donate a fruit tree.

A loquat she had grown from seed in Spain and which her mother in Barcelona had tended and then sent over to Kemnay is now happily ensonced in a sunny spot.

The sweet sound of an accoustic guitar was an added pleasure to the ear and was supplied by local song/writer/poet Aaron Jones pleased to be back in business after the long Covid absence of engagements.

Greener Kemnay's Sarah Temple was delighted with the days attendances.

She said:" One positive thing about Covid lock-downs is that it got so many people interested in gardening and taking it up with great enthusiasm."

Castle Fraser head gardener Ruth Wardle had an appreciative audience for her Q&A talk on soil and home composting, passing round coffee jars of samples for folk to examine.

One of Birley Bush senior gardeners Douglas Barclay enjoyed a morning planting tatties and onions (his favourite vegetables) with some help from Sue Wainman.

Visitors also enjoyed a barbeque, a treasure hunt and were invited to help recover the community garden's poly tunnel.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.