The sensory garden has been unveiled at the Netherholm Hall where unused ground has been transformed into a colourful blooming paradise. Sensory gardens are designed to stimulate and engage the five basic senses of sight, smell, sound, touch and taste.

The garden is the work of the Netherholm Gardening Group led by well known community gardener Jane Burdass in partnership with local people.

Fittingly, the memorial bench remembers George Alexander who – along with others – worked tirelessly to bring a community hall to Netherholm culminating in its opening exactly five years ago. He is a former chair of Thenue Housing and served for many years on its Board of Management.

A former firefighter, he devoted much of his time to working with the “Netherholm Area Association”, an active community group which is affiliated to Thenue Housing.

George’s wife Linda and family members were present at the official launch of the garden which was opened by Linda Allan, who worked with the Area Association while working for Thenue Communities, a subsidiary of Thenue Housing.

The formal opening was also attended by Thenue’s chief executive Gary Naylor and former chief executive Charles Turner.

The gardening project enabled local residents to learn about plants, flowers and vegetables and connect with nature.

It was an instant success and the fruits of their labours can now be enjoyed by local residents who can sit on the memorial bench and enjoy the garden’s peacefulness and beauty. The garden promotes biodiversity and is alive with bees, butterflies and ladybirds.

The group acknowledges the financial support it has received from grant funding organisation The Robertson Trust, the Glasgow Community Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund and the Castlemilk & Carmunnock Community Windpark Trust.

Jane Burdass said: “The group threw themselves into the work to create this community garden with great enthusiasm and are rightly proud of what has been achieved for the community. It is there for everyone to enjoy as a haven of peace and tranquillity filled with floral beauty and the benefits that connecting with nature brings.”

The George Alexander memorial bench was created by local residents Frank and Joan Soutar who, in a nod to George’s firefighting career, used fire engine red for the colour and highly varnished wood synonymous with traditional fire engines of yesteryear.

Frank – in designing the bench – also incorporated steel initials for George’s name which are “GAA”.

Frank Soutar commented: “George’s contribution over many years to this community is incalculable. He was a tireless worker for the good of other people and we feel privileged to have created this bench in his memory.”

George’s wife Linda added: “We are thrilled with the bench as a tribute to George. Locating it in this new garden at the Netherholm Hall is highly appropriate and I look forward – along with others – to sitting there and remembering the good times we had with George.”