Scotland Celebration Success

Community gardening and farming went to Holyrood in March, when Ministers and Members of the Scottish Parliament took part in an well-received event to recreate the unique flavour of community growing groups springing up across Scotland.

Guests were able to compete in a produce competition with certificates for the best spring flowers, fruit and veg, jam and chutney, and cheese. They also enjoyed music from the Columcille Ceilidh Band which uniquely features musicians with and without learning disabilities. The aim of the event, organised by FCFCG, was to celebrate the work of the people involved in Scotland's community green spaces and give them the opportunity to showcase their work.

Hosted by Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for Environment, and attended by eight MSPs as well as representatives from Scotland's community farming and gardening projects, the event also featured the publication of an updated map of Scotland's community gardens and farms. It the only one of its kind in Scotland and the number of groups featured on it demonstrates how far community gardening and farming has come since FCFCG first set up its Scotland office five years ago. The map also highlights the phenomenal amount of interest there is in these community-led activities in Scotland, especially in relation to growing food, due to concerns over issues such as food miles, climate change, improving well-being and healthy eating.