Growing Matters
Community, biodiversity and an open day in East Lothian
Growing Matters is a small community charity that’s ten years into a 25-year project transforming the walled garden at Gilmerton House in East Lothian.
Close to the village at Athelstaneford and right beside the Museum of Flight at East Fortune, the Gilmerton walled garden was once just a field full of sheep. The Growing Matters team has introduced abundant wildlife, biodiversity, flowers and produce to a now much-loved space.
With no paid manager, it’s run by volunteers who have created a really special place that’s a haven in the centre of a mass farming area. The team encourages people to follow with skills and interests to follow them as they wish, so large swathes of willow and, lavender, along with piles of potatoes, are being cultivated through individual passions. A pond was created last year and, on the day it was filled from the on-site well, swallows were right there. The team sells flowers at Soul Food on Causewayside and has abundant vegetable and flower plots, as well as the opportunity for individual mini-allotments.
On Sunday 23 August, from 12-4pm, the garden will hold an open day, with the opportunity to join in some activities, enjoy tea by the pond and buy produce to take home. More details are on their website: www.growingmatters.org.uk
You can quite easily get lost finding this garden, which is much of its charm, just make sure you follow the instructions!
Other interesting points about the garden include that it’s right beside a former World War II village with fully intact buildings, taking you back to the time when East Fortune was a major airfield. It’s fascinating and worth a look.
While this garden is not like many of the city gardens I have visited, where engaging with a community in need is central to its ethos, the Gilmerton walled garden is still transforming lives for a dedicated group of people and really packing a punch in terms of wildlife and biodiversity. I came away with a real sense of peace and rejuvenation.
