Forres Friends of Woods and Fields granted £4000 from Moray Council developer contribution fund for community garden project

A LOCAL environmental charity has been awarded £4000 for fencing to protect a community garden it is creating.

The Forres Friends of Woods and Fields (FFWF) were delighted to hear that their application to Moray Council’s developer obligations fund had been successful, allowing them to protect fruit and vegetables growing in a field they steward at Chapleton.

Trustee Lin Batten is pleased to “get a jump-start on the community growing”.

She said: “We are grateful for the support via developers giving back to the community. The application process consisted of relatively straightforward questions including asking how our project will benefit the area. However, we had to wait until after the submission deadline for a final quote from our fencing contractor. We applied for an estimate of £4000 but the final quote was higher so we are seeking match funding with other grants. We are also waiting on planning permission to erect the fence.”

FFWF are stewards of 26 acres on the ridge to the South of Sanquhar Loch and adjacent fields behind the Mosset Burn. On Upper Chapleton Field, the charity has prepared, ploughed and limed an acre plot for organic community-growing, ready for the Spring.

Lin said: “It’s vital to surround the field with fencing as the area is notorious for roe deer.”

The fencing will have a gate for public access to the community garden with rows of beds.

Lin added: “Eventually, we hope to have a polytunnel for more delicate crops, such as tomatoes and cucumbers. The garden will be a place for growing organic vegetables, as well as learning how to grow and to interact with other people from the community. The garden will not be based on allotments but volunteers will take the produce as they see fit. Hopefully, we will be able to donate surplus to other charities such as Moray Food Bank!”