Vandals strike at garden project
Mindless vandals wrecked a bench in The Knowe Community Garden Centre.
The idiots rolled a large cable drum into the seating area of the sensory garden.
Staff at the community garden, run by Auchinleck Community Development Initiative, were left devastated when they arrived at work and saw the destruction.
But the team were delighted when their photographs on
Facebook resulted in a neighbour project in Netherthird, NCAT, offering to help.
David Hannah put the bench back together and Pollock’s Farm Equipment assisted with an offer of parts.
With that low point behind them, Meg Sharp and Kaye Hannah travelled down to London for the Groundwork Community Awards, where they won the best community garden or green space category.
The team had already won best community garden in Shire Housing’s Competition.
Kaye said: “We’re elated to have won our second award this year.
“I am delighted for our board of directors, staff, volunteers, local nursery children and school pupils who all contributed to our success.
“We’re really grateful for everyone who took the time to vote.”
The Knowe also received 500 young trees from The Conservation Volunteers.
The team plans to arrange for classes from Auchinleck Primary to plant some of the trees.
The Knowe joined the winter resilience initiative with East Ayrshire Council, who supplied equipment to grit paths and clear snow and ice from the garden.
Knowe’s volunteer Jordan Whiteford has received his John Muir Discovery Award.
A spokesperson said: “Despite setbacks, with the power of partnership working we are making Auchinleck a nicer place to live.”