The ColGlen Growers began as part of the Greener ColGlen Project. The Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust were delighted to secure funding from the Climate Challenge Fund and were able to launch the Project which ran from October 2013 until March 2015. Focussing on energy, composting, woodfuel and food, Greener ColGlen was the first step on the journey by Colintraive and Glendaruel Community towards greater resilience in the face of extreme weather events, climate change and the increasing centralisation of goods and services. The focus of the food objective was to establish a food growing group within the community that included all growers – past, present and future.
For more details of the set up of the project, click here.
The ColGlen Growers group formed in 2014 and is comprised of a wide range of community members. The focal points of the group are the Glendaruel and Colintraive polytunnels which were built and opened in the first half of 2014. Each polytunnel has 16 beds, two of which have been specially designed for easier access. The tunnels offer the Growers an extended season and all the benefits of being part of a special interest group. Together the Growers have already trialled and researched different varieties of plants and learned a great deal about how to make the most of local conditions to improve the range of fresh fruit and vegetables available.
All our activity is not however wholy focussed within the polytunnels, and throughout the year we have been hard at work landscaping the areas surrounding both tunnels. Raised beds have been built at the Glendaruel site, and fruit trees were planted in Colintraive and Glendaruel during early March 2015. There are plans for herb gardens, and areas are prepared for the outdoor planting of hardier species.
The Growers have also taken part in food waste workshops and composting facilities sit adjacent to both polytunnels. The entire community is encouraged to take part in the composting opportunity and volunteers, on request, are happy to pick up composting materials from householders. Please contact the ColGlen Growers for further information on this service, and general advice on composting.