Joy for Growers after £367,043 Lottery funding

The group, which is based at the allotments in Ardrossan, received the grant as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Our Place initiative which aims to empower local people and groups to bring lasting positive differences to their area.

The Three Towns Growers will use the grant to improve a range of facilities, including expanding the number of growing areas, improving site access and providing a new purpose-built eco cabin for local community groups to use. The purpose-built cabin will provide a space for educational learning and training. There will also be a small community kitchen and rest area where members of the community can socialise while gardening, plus new accessible growing areas.

Chairperson of the Three Towns Growers, Denise McKenzie, told the Herald: “Everyone’s over the moon because it just means so much to the site. We totally underestimated how popular it [the group] was going to be. None of us expected it. Over the years we’ve grown to be an organisation that provides education both formally and informally.”

She added: “We are delighted to have received an Our Place Award of £367,034 from the National Lottery Community Fund. This funding has created a fantastic opportunity for the charity to make the step change needed to maximise our impact on the local community.

“Three Towns Growers aspire to become an education and therapy centre that provides a broad and varied range of opportunities for all ages. The board and members are delighted, and we’ve had nothing but messages of support from the community since we made the announcement at the weekend.”

Big Lottery Fund Scotland chairperson, Maureen McGinn, said: “I am delighted that Three Towns Growers has been successful in securing a Big Lottery Fund grant. The funding will make a big difference where it is needed most, and I wish the Three Towns Growers every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project for the benefit of their local community.”