Kirkcudbright RNLI Community Garden is completed
A volunteer-led project to improve the Kirkcudbright RNLI community garden is now complete! The garden was completely re-landscaped with a new seating area, and interpretation boards were installed giving a history of the RNLI in Kirkcudbright. The site is now open and being enjoyed by all.
The project was led by John Collins, lifeboat operations manager and mechanic at the Kirkcudbright station. John was recently recognised for more than 30 years’ service in support of RNLI.
Speaking about the community garden, John said:
“I’m delighted to finally get our garden project to completion after almost 3 years since it was first thought of. Many thanks to my fellow crew members for all the help in getting it done. I’m sure they were all getting fed up of me chasing them to give me a hand mixing cement or laying paths etc on a Saturday morning.
We were unable to source any more funding apart from our original grant from the Galloway Glens. Half of that had already been used for the information boards on the lifeboat station already in place. The only way we could finish the job was if we did the labour work ourselves using the remaining funds for materials.
Between us we were able to get it done with tremendous help from the many local businesses who would either supply us with what we needed either on or below cost or in some cases free of charge. One of our long time lifeboat supporters Andy McQuaker even turned up himself with a mini digger to prepare the groundwork for us. All very much appreciated.
Another setback last spring was when we had over a dozen of the recently planted rose bushes actually pinched out of the garden. Somebody must of thought they would look better in their garden instead. That caused a bit of a stir in the town and we received a few donations to replace them. A generous donation from our local Tesco Community Fund and another from a local couple as well as an ex resident now living on the Isle of Man soon had them replaced. They are all in bloom now and looking very colourful.”
The project was supported by a grant of £2,000 through the Galloway Glens ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme. The Galloway Glens scheme is an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by partners including the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.
Anna Harvey, Galloway Glens Administrator, oversees the ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grant Scheme and said:
“I am delighted that this project is now completed as it has not been an easy task. Thanks to our funders the NHLF and great support from various local businesses, John and his fellow volunteers managed to deliver a wonderful space in Kirkcudbright that celebrates the town’s RNLI heritage and provides a beautiful space to enjoy the view of the River Dee. Well done everybody involved!”
