FOR the keen gardeners of Eglinton Growers community allotment in Kilwinning, just as important as producing a successful season of veg is growing friendships.

There is a real sense of community at the Kilwinning allotments so much so that they are expanding the community garden within the grounds with ambitious plans to create a children’s garden and sensory garden.

There is already a community orchard with fruit trees taking shape and working alongside the North Ayrshire Foodbank, Eglinton Growers has set up raised beds for fruit and veg to be given to the Foodbank.

That’s just one plan that is being grown at the community allotments.

Chairman Ian Lakey said: “We have had plans drawn up and we are now looking at starting work on expanding our community garden side of the allotments.

“From a picnic area to sensory garden, a new car park and some other ideas, we are all working hard to make this happen.”

Two gardeners who have seen a friendship blossom are Suzanne and Anna who enjoy neighbouring allotments. Since lockdown they have seen more of each other than they have of family members and enjoy sharing a cuppa and a chat every time they are at Eglinton Growers.

When we went along to meet Ian and Jim Brown of Eglinton Growers they were busy clearing up after finally solving their drainage problems.

Jim said: “It was true team work, at one point we had 14 of us digging as George worked the digger.

“That’s what it’s all about, a sense of community.”

Over the next few weeks we

will be taking a closer look at the Eglinton Growers community, meeting some of the allotment gardeners and looking at their plans for expanding the community garden.