A gardening project boss is looking to dig up new members in Dumfries.
Paul McGregor wants new recruits to sign up and volunteer to get their hands dirty developing the Sandside Gardening Project at the junction of Sunderries Road near Stakeford Street in the town.
He said: “It was my daft idea to start it all back in 2015,
“But, seriously, it is now an ongoing project and always evolving despite it being all volunteers on the committee. I am the chairman and we have about 10 members.
“We are a small group and we do what we can.
“We’ve started working with kids in the estate and getting them involved in the project and we want something for the young people as well as the old.”
The youngest member is James Peacock, aged 12, who has been helping out since he was seven.
He said: “I like pretty much everything about the project and do what I can. I enjoy it.”
The latest member to receive a key for the fenced off garden area is nearby resident Beccy Gough.
She said: “My mental health had been suffering since Covid and I was trying to push myself and this is a great project to get involved in to get out and about.
“My stepson Dylan McCrindle is 10 and he is getting involved. He is a pal of James and helped me collect my key.”
Another member, Roger Holdroyd, from Troqueer, said: “Beccy has been helping us out with water for a while and it is good to see her getting involved.
“We are trying to get a water supply installed and also electricity which would really help.”
Roger, who owns the garden’s mascot Molly the dog, added: “I’m a joiner and I do a lot of the woodwork around the place.
“If we can get more young people involved the project will really grow.”
Meanwhile, Paul said: “We want to include people who are able-bodied and also people like myself who are disabled and they don’t need to be from our estate. We are a diverse group and welcome everybody.
“It would be great to get funding too because we are just volunteers.
Anyone who would like to join should send their details to: sandsidegardenproject@gmail.com
