Case Study – Port Bannatyne Community Garden

“THE GARDEN TRANSFORMATION HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. THIS HAS ENABLED THE SPACE
TO BE ACCESSED BY VISITORS AND CREATED A PLEASANT SPACE IN AN AREA WHERE
GARDENS ARE LACKING.”

In the Winter of 2023, newly formed group, Port Bannatyne Community Gardeners on the Isle of Bute successfully applied for the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing (CMHWB) Fund.

Earlier that year, Port Bannatyne residents had begun to salvage a community garden on a site that had been tended to by locals from the year 2000 until around 2018, but which had since become overgrown and derelict. With Volunteer Fiona Niven taking a lead, the group realised that their collective efforts were having positive effects on their mental health as well as the piece of land itself. Fiona said, “most of the volunteers – including myself – are either neurodiverse or are in recovery from mental illness” and as she researched the feelings of fellow villagers the evidence of the garden’s current – and potential – positive effects grew.

Fiona posed a question to those who had shown an
interest in the rejuvenation of the space so far: ‘What benefits do you get from the community garden?’
The responses were inspirational:
“mental and physical well-being, exercise.”
“access to locally sourced, organic, zero carbon
produce.”
“benefit of mixing with other gardeners and exchanging knowledge and simply enjoying their company.”
“building and maintaining the space foster(s)
neighbourliness, social inclusion and a chance to mix with others that may not normally be in your circle.”
“A wonderful idea to encourage villagers to… eat free vegetables (and) shows the possibility of growing their own even if the only space is a window box …for salads.”
“a place of recreation, relaxation and stimulation as well as a source of pride.” “a focus, along with the community pub, of regeneration in the area.”
“outdoor exercise, socialising with neighbours of all ages. A quiet, green space, to relax in. Great for my physical and mental well being. I have osteoporosis so daylight and exercise are very beneficial.”

From here on, Fiona and other like-minded locals formed a constituted Voluntary group, aiming to return the garden to “its former glory” and through consultations with physically disabled villagers, discovered how best to resurface certain areas – and provide appropriate seating – in order to “bring it back into full and inclusive community use.”

TWO YEARS ON

Since being awarded the CMHWB Fund, the garden has bloomed. Much of the grant was used to recycle the abandoned building materials found in the space to create an accessible, communal seating area (see photos 1 and 2 above). A Bute-based Stone Waller worked the larger stones with the benches being topped with slate by Volunteers.

Paths have also been developed, with a minimum width of 120cm to assist with access – and constructed with compacted fine gravel for grip and drainage.

The ingenuity of the group has seen extraordinary use of ‘found’, recyclable materials, such as cardboard to control invasive species (photo 5) and old polytunnel covers as pond liners. Said pond can be seen in photo 6, as can the new veggie polytunnel with an extra-wide, accessible door. The vegetables are already being enjoyed by Port Bannatyne residents.

The ongoing achievements of the Port Bannatyne Gardeners are an inspiring example of community determination, resilience and positive action addressing self-care and wellbeing.

Visit their Facebook page for more photos of their ‘good natured garden’, or pop in and say hello next time you’re on the Isle of Bute. You might even come away with a tattie or two!