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Minister visits planned community garden
23/08/2012
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay this week visited a group in Stirling with exciting plans to take over council land to build a community garden.
Braehead and District Community Council are working within their community, local businesses and schools to create a space where people can come together to grow food, socialise and learn new skills.
This is just one great example of how Community Councils are playing an important role across the country, ensuring their areas strive to become better places to live.
The project, kick-started with funding from the Scottish Government, has already agreed suitable land with Stirling Council. The Community Council have been working with garden designers and local gardeners and have created ambitious designs to build a project that serves their local community while become a beacon for similar projects around the country.
Mr Mackay visited Braehead Tea Rooms and met members of the Community Council to talk about the project, as part of a visit to Stirling. He also met with Stirling Council Leader Corrie McChord and Chief Executive Bob Jack.
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay said:
“I was delighted to meet with members of the Braehead and District Community Council and hear about their plans for a community garden.
“The project is a great example of a community working together to make things better within the local area.
“Not only are they building new facilities which enable residents to learn how to grow their own food, they are also creating a focal point that fosters pride within the community.
“Although the vision I saw in Braehead is very special, I know that is not unique; there are people with good ideas working to make their communities better all over Scotland.
“That’s why our proposed Community Empowerment and Renewable Bill, which is currently open for consultation responses, will be so important. The Bill is about helping people with great ideas, determination and dedication like I’ve seen here at Braehead to get things done.
“Our website, our-great-ideas.org, is a step towards that goal – helping people all over Scotland to share their ideas and experience to spur each other on, making Scotland an even better place, one community at a time.”
Related information
You can view the website here: www.our-great-ideas.org
You can read more about the proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/06/CommEmpower060612 and read the consulation here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/06/7786