Keir Penpont and Tynron Community Trust created a garden group back in August 2021. They then accessed the use of an old disused tennis court site beside the Penpont to Keir core path, on the edge of Penpont in Dumfries and Galloway to create the garden.
In Nov 2021 the Scottish Governments Inspiring Scotland division, were giving grants for Community based projects. KPT were successful in receiving £32K for the garden project. This allowed for 3 part time staff and all the purchasing of equipment, sheds, preparation of the ground clearance, raised beds and polytunnel.
There are over 15 volunteers that work variously through the week and on weekends to get the garden installed and structures built. The current phase is now planting.
KPT approached Joanna Lumley back in March 2022 to ask if she would kindly do the official opening of the Community Garden in July. Joanna’s had a long association with the area and until recently had a cottage in our parish.
Joanna kindly accepted the invite to open the garden. Joanna messaged at 2pm on 16th April to say shes coming through Penpont around 4pm and would love to see the progress of the garden!
Senga Greenwood from KPT developemt Trust said “A Luckily we had a garden working bee that day and there were a group of very enthusiastic volunteers and staff on site to welcome Joanna and talk her through the project. The date of the Official Opening and Joanna’s availability is yet to be confirmed.”
