Words by Harvey Smart, Photos Courtesy of CATRA
There is a hotbed of green activity happening in the centre of Alexandria and it’s open to the whole community.
In 2022 CATRA (Central Alexandria Tenants and Residents Association) received funding to build community gardens and green spaces around Alexandria.
Since then the project has blossomed into multiple large gardens, raised beds and green areas around the CATRA base on Alexander Street, growing everything from fruit and vegetables to wildflowers.
Angela Caldwell is spearheading the green initiative with help from WDC’s Greenspace team. She also works with organisations such as the Blue Triangle Housing Association, who refer volunteers to work in the gardens.
Angela explains: “The people they support are often not in a good place for different reasons, with depression, addiction and things like that, so they refer people to us to help get their life back on track, even if it’s just to help them out of depression or get a wee bit of exercise, or a new hobby.
“It’s really just to get them into new habits, and there’s no better habit than getting a healthy kick, especially at this time of year.”
The nearby GP surgery also refers patients to the project.
“We’re open to all ages, disabilities and genders.” Angela says. “Everyone is welcome.”
For some, working on the gardens has been transformative.
One volunteer in his sixties who recently retired discovered a new lease of life working in the gardens as Angela recalls: “He stays by himself and doesn’t have any family. He was really quiet, wouldn’t say boo to anyone.
“Now, he’s a lot more confident, it really brought him out of his shell. Some of the things he comes out with now are just hilarious.”
The group aims to foster a sense of community in the Vale by bringing people together to work on a common goal.
Their main garden area is behind CATRA, between North Street and Alexander Street. It consists of fruit trees, strawberries, vegetables and herbs. They also have raised beds further up the street behind a block of flats, and beds full of ornamental perennials down on Lennox Street.
“We have about seven different areas we maintain, but they’re varied in the amount of attention they require from us. The wild areas really take care of themselves.”
There have been some challenges to overcome as plants in beds by the Leven kept disappearing.
“We put in fruit trees and somebody nicked them. Then I thought I’d just put soft fruits and bushes. I put them in on Friday, came back down on Monday and they were gone,” Angela sighs.
“So this is just going to be another wild area, which is probably better as it will take care of itself and I’ll only need to come down here once every couple of weeks.”
As far as the future goes, Angela is hoping to expand the project.
“I hope more people will get involved to improve the green corridor of Alexandria.
“We’re just greening it up and making it look pretty. I want to do extensions to different parts of the Vale, at the moment it’s really just Alexander Street and the centre of Alexandria. I would like to go further down towards Bonhill Bridge.”
Even if you don’t fancy volunteering, Angela encourages starting a garden at home. “I don’t think people realise it doesn’t need to be on a massive scale. If you’re just wanting to feed yourself or your immediate family, it is doable.
“Even an hour or two growing your own produce in your own garden – it’s going to be healthy, save you money and give you something to do. These things are all positives.”
If you’re interested in giving your time to the community garden project, drop in to CATRA and speak to Angela. No matter the level of your ability or gardening experience, as long as you’re prepared to pitch in and get your hands dirty, she’ll find something for you to do.
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