Midlothian volunteers transform barren wasteland into community garden sanctuary

A Midlothian community has banded together to transform a barren piece of land into an exuberant community garden.

The transformation led by Newtongrange Guerilla Gardeners of the former site of the Top Club, which had become a derelict wasteland, that was overgrown and covered in litter ever since the Main Street social club was demolished more than a decade ago.

Work began in February 2023 when permission was granted for the abandoned land to be put to good use by the volunteers.

One year on it is unrecognisable as it has become a beacon of sustainability, as well as a hub of intergenerational activity.

The work of the community has been celebrated with the project being heralded as an example of what happens when locals take ownership and pride in their local community.

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Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds teamed up to transform the 1150 sqm area into a community garden, landscaping and building a space that includes a 20ft greenhouse, two gazebos, an orchard of apple and cherry trees, a willow den, a pond, a children’s play area, beehives and wildlife homes for bats, hedgehogs and frogs.

It has also played host to a number of successful events including the King’s Coronation celebrations and a Halloween pumpkin-picking party.

“By exchanging knowledge and experience with other more established community gardens, it’s opened our eyes as to what is possible with further support and funding,” Laura Joyce, the community garden designer and volunteer co-ordinator said.

“Ideally, we would love to appoint an employed worker that could open the garden more often and coordinate group access so the garden could be utilised to the fullest.”

Volunteers of all ages chipped in to transform the area.

Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners – a voluntary group formed in 2021 – had a vision of brightening up the village, making it a greener and more welcoming place for all.

The aim is to provide an opportunity for locals to work together to transform public spaces and boost the well-being of all villagers.

Within days of publishing the proposed garden design, the Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners were inundated with people wanting to help – either by donating spare garden tools, furniture, bulbs, and plants or by giving up their time to dig, weed, sow, and grow.

A team of up to 30 volunteers now tend to the garden on a twice-weekly basis, growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables which are distributed free of charge to the local community via The Pantry.

Ponds were added to the area.

Any waste is returned to the community garden to create compost – the sustainable circular economy is overseen by Laura, whose efforts were recognised last year with a Places for People Community Matters Award.

The community garden was also awarded an RHS School Gardening Award at Level Five for its engagement with local children.

The volunteers are keen to further relationships within the village and are currently in talks with Newtongrange Primary School and St Annes Sheltered Housing to ensure the garden is as inclusive as possible for all within the local community.

Volunteers getting their hands dirty planting an orchard tree.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary, volunteer Rebecca McCosh said; “It’s just one year since we first broke ground here and what has been achieved already is astonishing. It’s not just about the physical transformation of the land, but also the transformation of attitudes.

“People have been inspired and empowered by the fact they can make a real difference to their local area and to the environment. New relationships have been forged here, new skills have been acquired here, and new life has been breathed into a space that was hitherto abandoned.

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“And this is just the beginning!”

Newtongrange Community Garden is open every Tuesday and Saturday, 9:30-11:30am.

For further information, follow the Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners on Facebook.