Barshaw Park in Paisley wins new community garden in RHS Garden Day Competition
Paisley is to benefit from a new community garden inspired by its local heritage after it was named the only Scottish winner in the RHS Garden Day Competition!
Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 26 April 2022 13:28
Unveiled on BBC One’s The One Show by JJ Chalmers, Paisley joins Huntingdon in England and Randalstown in Northern Ireland as one of four areas to receive funding for a community garden – with the Welsh winner still to be announced.
Barshaw Park will see the creation of a new space that nods to the town’s textile past with the design featuring the world-famous Paisley Pattern through curved and accessible raised beds and extensive trellis work for fruit and flower training that frame the entry way and ensure an inviting and sociable space.
Moveable beds, with curved undersides to sit a wheelchair under comfortably and provide much needed versatility in a community space, will be made from local distilleries’ recycled barrels.
At the site of the former donkey paddock, the Community Garden has been designed by landscape duo Nicola Semple and Susan Begg of Semple Begg and will be managed by the volunteers from Friends of Barshaw Park - who will receive an additional £15,000 over the course of the next three years for investment in the garden and the group’s work within the community.
Irene McDonald, Chair of Friends of Barshaw Park, said: “Community gardens are all too often formal affairs, fenced off from the very people wanting to access them.
“The redevelopment of our space prioritises creating a warm welcome with benches for socialising, or simply observing, with fragrant, colourful climbers for inspiration and relaxation.
“The moveability and versatility of the raised and border beds means everyone should have the chance to learn and bestow new gardening skills in Barshaw Park and we’re excited to open it to the public this Spring.”
Friends of Barshaw Park will run a series of workshops from the space, such as the harvesting and cooking of crops, promote a gardening buddy system to help with hands on learning and operate a tool library, filled with equipment, to inspire and facilitate gardening beyond the confines of the site. Local people will also be able to take home fresh produce and cut flowers grown in the garden.
Angela Smith, RHS Development Officer for Scotland, said: “Friends of Barshaw Park are an energising and inspiring group of gardeners who are helping to restore their namesake space to its former glory.
“The creation of a new community garden will serve as a local hub, enabling the group to even more freely share their skills with residents and inspire many more people to get growing.”
The space will be framed on all sides by walls made from larch sleepers sourced and grown on the Isle of Bute, espalier fruit trees of local varieties, and edible hedges with Scottish berries. Natural composting, wormery and extensive rainwater collection underpin the garden’s green credentials.
Karen Anderson, Sustainability, Place & Assets Manager at Renfrewshire Council, said: “We’re delighted for the Friends of Barshaw Park group that they have been successful in their bid for a new community garden and I’m sure families and parkgoers will be delighted at the new, inviting space within the park as the designs look fantastic.
“We work closely with the group to enhance this prominent public park in Renfrewshire at every opportunity and we will continue to support them however we can to bring the new garden to life.”
For more information about the Garden Day Competition, Garden Day and National Gardening Week visit www.rhs.org.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas
Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!
READ MORE
Lights on in Linwood
Crowds turned out in Linwood to see the town's Christmas lights switched on for 2025.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire and Ayrshire and Arran Lieutenancies host Together at Christmas Community Carol Service
This year, Renfrewshire along with Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Ayrshire will join communities across the UK in hosting a 'Together at Christmas' Community Carol Service in Paisley Abbey.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
Work to start on six play parks across Renfrewshire
Investment in Renfrewshire's play parks continues with work set to begin on a further six play parks.
READ MORE
Unique approach of Pam Hogg will inspire the next generation of young people in Paisley
The unique legacy of globally-renowned Paisley designer and artist Dr Pam Hogg will inspire the next generation of creative talent, her proud home community says.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Winter Connections programme returns to support communities across Renfrewshire
A brand-new programme of free fun activities and events returns with Renfrewshire’s praised Winter Connections.
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
New civic plaza and events space to be created in Erskine
A new civic plaza, garden and events space will be created in Erskine to provide a focal point for the local community.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre announces partnership to support local community
The partnership is calling on the local community to donate new children's pyjamas, ensuring every child in Renfrewshire has something cosy to unwrap this Christmas.
READ MORE
Erskine lights up for Christmas
Erskine's Christmas lights have been switched on for 2025 with locals turning out to enjoy the occasion!
READ MORE
Johnstone shines bright this festive season
Crowds turned out in Johnstone's Houstoun Square on Saturday to see the town's Christmas lights switched on for 2025.
READ MORE
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
A celebration of Art Deco to open at The Art Department Paisley
Deco 2025, an exhibition celebrating the decorative arts, will take place in The Art Department's new home from Tuesday 2nd December until Saturday 20th December.
READ MORE
Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
Renfrew lights up for Christmas
Crowds turned out in Renfrew town centre on Saturday to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on for 2025!
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
New active play facility to be created in Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley
Renfrewshire will have a brand-new active play for all ages in the heart of the town after a contract was awarded to create the new facility in the Lagoon Leisure Centre.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire tourist spot set to benefit from investment
A popular tourist spot in Renfrewshire is set to benefit as more than £700,000 is invested in a new cycle hub, information kiosk, public toilets and landscaping improvements.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire towns to light up for Christmas
Towns across Renfrewshire will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights are due to be switched on over the coming weeks.
READ MORE
Thousands turn out for the annual Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On event
Crowds headed to Paisley town centre to mark the beginning of the festive season at the town's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links