Toryglen is going green!

Mar 18 2009 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

GREEN-fingered volunteers at the Toryglen Gardening Club have been creating wildlife and vegetable gardens in the grounds of St Brigid’s Chapel and Ardnahoe Nursery.

As part of the Toryglen Environment Project their work has included planting apple and pear trees with children and community members, putting in composting areas, planting hedgerows and building raised beds.

During the spring they will also be planting native Scottish wildflowers to improve the local biodiversity.

Community development officer, Abi Mordin said: “Our work with local children has been continuing as we have supported both Toryglen and St Brigid’s primaries with their eco-schools projects.

“Hedges and small trees have been planted in school grounds along with a host of daffodil bulbs. In Toryglen Primary we are helping with plans for a Garden Party in their school garden, and at St Brigid’s we are providing an artist to work with the children designing and creating a mural to improve the playground environment.”

Elsewhere, this year’s Blossom Workshops are up and running with wood carving and wood work, mosaic design and creation, renewable energy and basket making being among the topics explored.

As with last year these workshops will feed into the Blossom Festival on May 9 at Glenmore Avenue, which will be celebrated with music, activities, information and refreshments. The Blossom Festival will also see the launch of the new organisation as the Toryglen Gardening Club is changing its name to Urban Roots.

Abi added: “We will be focussing on growing fresh fruit and vegetables for volunteers to take away with them, and to sell any surplus locally.

“We will be working with groups to look at energy use, transport and waste in the context of climate change. We will also very soon have a Fruit Barra up and running at Toryglen Church of Scotland, selling low cost, good quality fruit and vegetables.

“Other plans for the future include a kids summer gardening club, setting up a food co-op, encouraging people to take up healthy walks and other health initiatives.

“To make all this happen, we have as ever a whole medley of volunteer opportunities that are open to anyone living locally.“

Take a look at the new website www.urbanroots.org.uk or call 0141 613 2763.