New community garden to be opened in Fife town

St Andrews Environmental Network has announced a new and exciting community growing project in partnership with St Andrews Preservation Trust.

A new community garden is to be opened adjacent to the St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum’s Formal Garden.

This year the St Andrews Environmental Network will concentrate on clearing the site and pilot a section for growing food for the North East Fife Community Hub Café and the Community Fridge at the St David’s Centre.

Over the coming years the group will expand the area for growing food and hope to be able to supply the Hub Café with seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Jane Kell, general manager of St Andrews Environmental Network, said: “We have been looking to establish a growing project for several years now however finding a suitable site has been a challenge.

"I was delighted when we were approached by the St Andrews Preservation Trust about a possible partnership as they had an underused garden space.

"The concept of growing for the community was piloted at the Kernel site (St Andrews Botanic Garden) however the growing element of the project closed after the loss of the “Climate Challenge Fund” funding.”

Samantha Walker, curator at St Andrews Preservation Trust, added: “We acquired the garden space in 2019 and installed an ramp and path in 2020.

"Our garden co-ordinator, Marysia Denyer, was keen to use the space for growing and this made us wonder if there was a need locally for an edible garden.

"After getting in touch with Jane it was clear there was a need, and we felt an edible garden would be very complementary to our existing sensory and heritage gardens. We are all excited to work in partnership on this pilot project and can’t wait to see it take shape.”

Earlier this year, a bid by the St Andrews environment charity to take over the mothballed council office at St Mary’s Place was rejected. The office would have been turned into a third-sector ‘eco-hub’.

If you are interested in volunteering at the garden, please e-mail [email protected].