Come and see how the garden grows

Anyone with an interest in horticulture, food production, bee-keeping and green-fingered enthusiasts are invited to attend an open day at the Arran Community Land Initiative’s site in Whiting Bay next weekend.

Showing the fruits of their labour, volunteers will be on hand to show visitors some of the many activities that take place on the land and the progress that has been made in establishing the expanse of land for community use.

On display on Saturday May 5, between 10am and 4pm, will be the community allotments which are coming alive as plot holders busy themselves pre- paring the beds for spring planting. There are 12 allotments and, for anyone interested, there is currently one full allotment (7.5m x 20m) available for £60 annually and two half plots (7.5m x 10) for £30. Each plot comes with an indoor polytunnel raised bed as well.

The orchard areas, which now boast 150 fruit trees, will be coming into flower imminently and the bees in the Arran Bee Group hives will be emerging to collect nectar and pollen for honey production.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to take a look at the rare Arran Whitebeam trees which are planted on the land along with the polytunnels bursting with vegetable seedlings which will be transplanted into the community garden beds.

If you are feeling inspired by the community land and fruit and vegetable growing, you can join a workshop making a herb box out of recycled pallets which are planted with six culinary herbs that you can take home.

There will be coffee and tea available and flatbreads freshly made in the bread oven.

Volunteers will be happy to show you around the orchard or take visitors for a walk around the pathways that are being planted with Scottish wildflower seeds by volunteers and school groups.

The Arran Community Land Initiative, which is a registered charity and is run mainly by volunteers, welcomes anyone to lend a hand on site. There will be a programme of volunteer activities from May onwards to suit all ages.

The site is signposted from Golf Course Road in Whiting Bay but, owing to the limited parking on site, visitors are encouraged to walk to the site whenever possible.

Toilet facilities and seating areas are available in the hub and polytunnels.

ACLI demonstrates the various methods of composting from a wormery to a hot bin.

Visitors are being encouraged to go and have a look at the community land during their open day early next month.

Children enjoy one of the many educational activities that are on offer throughout the year.