Words & Photos by Harvey Smart
Nestled against the banks of the Canal and hidden at the end of a leafy cul de sac, Beardmore Community Garden is an oasis of horticulture on the site of Dalmuir’s former dockyards and factories.
When I arrive on a sunny April afternoon, the garden’s green fingered volunteers are hard at work, readying the grounds for the summer growing season.
Rose Dorman, the founder of the community gardens, is a fountain of energy and very enthusiastic to talk about everything they have been doing so far.
“I used to volunteer with Angela Caldwell down at CATRA (read their story in Issue 28) when this was just starting up.
“I went to Bellsmyre community garden as well to see how they were running it; they were all fantastic to meet and get their help.
“The whole load of community gardens is just great. Andy from Greenspace keeps us all in touch and if we need anything – he’ll push us in the right direction.”
“So, there’s been a lot of collaboration between the community gardens?” I ask.
“Oh yes, but there’s competition as well,” she laughs. “When I see Angela planting this and that, it spurs us on to do more. It’s inspiring.”
She gives me the tour around the garden, which is already in full swing as the weather warms up.
There are strawberries, chives, kale, brussel sprouts, and they have just planted ‘Bankie Peas’, a special variety originating in Clydebank.
“I just wanted to grow vegetables,” Rose says.
“I called up Link Tenant Association and asked, ‘can I put vegetables in, because I stay in a flat?’. They said no, but there’s space at the end of the street if you want to start a community garden. So, it started from there.
“Everyone around who doesn’t have a garden can come and use the space. You can come and learn and take stuff, because we’ve got flats which have areas outside to put pots and things.”
She shows me the homemade fertilizer they have been working on.
“We went round picking nettles and put them in a bucket and added molasses. It’s ready now so we’ve watered our plum trees – we got funding from Scotmid for a mini orchard, so we’ve got three of those.”
The gardens’ newest addition is the large polytunnel, which WD CVS helped Rose get funded. The older, small polytunnel is now being used by kids from the local nursery.
“The kids all planted sunflowers in here yesterday, so they’ve all got names on their pots, and they planted peas over there.”
We sit down in the big polytunnel, and all the volunteers introduce themselves.
They’re a mixed bunch. Some came from Link, some from volunteer programmes and some referred by the job centre.
The volunteers on site today include Jean, the chair of organisation, Lorraine, the secretary, Margaret, Gordon, and Ronnie, a former greenkeeper.
“I’m still a greenkeeper,” he says adamantly.
I ask the group what their proudest achievements in the garden are. The answers are varied, but they all agree on one thing.
“Being able to have a harvest and share it.
“If there’s anything ready, we put it in baskets out front. A lot of folk think it’s just for ‘poor’ people.
“They think ‘leave it for someone that needs it’, and I say ‘you need it! You can’t buy this in the supermarket!”
They’re also proud of the fact they don’t use any unnatural chemicals in the garden.
“One of the most important things is there are no pesticides on anything,” Lorraine says. “Rose is very particular.”
Another thing they tell me that stands out is the health aspect, both physically and mentally.
They have been working hard in the sun all morning, but all seem in excellent spirits, laughing and joking around over cups of tea and Mr Kipling cakes.
Even during the off season, the garden provides a little community hub for the gardeners.
“During the winter, if there’s only three or four of us in here, we can have a good game of cards, or dominoes.” Ronnie says.
I ask the group what lies ahead for the garden.
“We just want to be growing and expanding and be sustainable.
“We’d like to see more people using the space. And try to make it more popular with the kids. When you volunteer, you learn things you would never imagine you would do.
“It’s very good for your health especially if you’re suffering mentally, just to hear the birds and that.
“It’s a great wee spot.”
Help keep Clydesider free for all: Join Clydesider Community Magazine’s Ko-fi Membership