Gallowshade Gets Growing
“We believe that access to fresh homegrown food can change lives- and we’re here to help make that happen”
Gallowshade Community Links joins the food-growing revolution, successfully transforming an overgrown field on the edge of Forfar into a thriving community garden in just 4 years. The former berry field is now a productive community space for growing fresh fruit and veg, as well as a fantastic local amenity for social gatherings, connecting with nature, and play.
The site hosts 30 food growing plots, three sheds, two polytunnels, an orchard area, a pond, and a viewing platform with breathtaking views across the Strathmore Valley. The current committee was formed in 2021 with a shared vision of creating positive opportunities for local people and delivering free activities that would appeal to families in the area. Since then, they have organised cinema nights, discos, and other community events.
A committee member suggested they utilise the Angus Council Food Growing Strategy 2020-2025 and the Community Empowerment Act to request access to the council-owned berry field to develop a community garden space, and they haven’t looked back. The group initially faced considerable barriers in accessing and developing the land themselves, but with persistence, widespread support from the local community and the backing of a local councillor, an agreement was reached and growing got underway in 2022.
The garden is an open community space, accessible to everyone in the area. 26 growing plots of varied sizes provide opportunities for individual growers, while 4 community plots are managed by garden volunteers. A local school group, the Strathmore School Allotment Group, also manages a plot. Plot holders sign an open-ended allotment agreement that governs the use of the plots, and in return, they can access free tools and water. The plots are free to participants, reflecting the committee’s belief that access to growing fresh and healthy food should be available to everyone. By sourcing and securing small grant investments for infrastructure and expansion, the committee has enabled more people to participate and contribute. The Chairperson reflects, ” The garden is now getting to the stage where we wanted it, we’ve raised interest, built something special, and people have come. The space belongs to them, and we hope they enjoy it.”
This year, the garden will expand further across the field, with five new plots being added. Angus Council’s Parks Department has provided essential support with strimming tools and dropping off compost when needed. Garden volunteers and committee members maintain the communal grass areas, tend community plots and organise popular events including the Easter Egg Hunt, Tattie giveaway days and a summer BBQ. The garden also gets assistance from The Alba Explorers, who have done work on the pond and trees, an outdoor and environmental group for young people.
The Chairman’s advice to others: “When working as a community with a vision, don’t let barriers, or the first couple of ‘no’s, knock you back. Be persistent. We could have given up a few times, but our vision for this community space kept us going.”
To learn more about the work of Gallowshade Links and see the amazing transformation they have made, visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/gallowshadeforfar/media