Winchburgh Community Growing Group, which is based within the 85-acre Auldcathie District Park in West Lothian, has installed a wind turbine and four solar panels to provide constant power 24/7 to its 1.5-acre growing area through a partnership with Winchburgh Community Development Trust. This will enable a significant number of local groups to reap the benefits of engaging with nature.

Co-chair John West said: “Sustainability is the common thread that runs through everything the Winchburgh Community Growing Group does. Having renewable energy will be a complete game-changer for us, enabling our volunteers to provide more opportunities for the local community. It will power the irrigation system and pump water into our polytunnel automatically, which means our crops will be able to thrive.

“Our Community Cabin, which will now have power, is already incredibly well-used by a wide variety of groups which benefit people from all walks of life - from nursery-aged children right up to adults who are perhaps at risk of social isolation, or struggling with their mental health. At its core, the growing group is about bringing the community together and getting this up-and-running has been a real group effort. We’d like to say a huge thank you to Winchburgh Community Development Trust, our dedicated volunteers including Stephen Cavanagh who worked tirelessly to research the kit, and ACE Electrical Limited for their support, and to Penny from Winchburgh Developments who has helped drive the delivery of this and brought Leigh and myself together to discuss the partnership.”

Leigh Lauder, development manager for Winchburgh Community Development Trust, added: “We are delighted to work in partnership with the Growers to help us to be able to deliver a Builder’s Den for the men in Winchburgh and are very pleased that our funding has helped with the installation of the renewable energy. We very much look forward to launching the project this spring with John and his team.”

The 85-acre Auldcathie District Park was formed as part of a £8 million regeneration project by Winchburgh Developments Ltd with input from the local community to transform it into a multi-use space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. It now features more than 31,000 newly-planted trees, running, walking and cycling loops, a biking track, extensive play areas and the popular community growing area. The group welcomes volunteers every Saturday from 1pm - 4pm who want to take part in community growing, while making friendships and enjoying the beautiful greenspace.

Penny Lochhead, community engagement, greenspace and sport manager for Winchburgh Developments, added: “It is very exciting to see the Growers becoming fully sustainable. The new irrigation systems will operate across the summer months which will significantly increase their vegetable growing capacity, made possible by free energy from the turbine and solar panels. Importantly, they will also be able to have the kettle on for their hard-working volunteers!

“Exciting times are ahead for the growing group - they are an inspiration to everyone.  Winchburgh Developments are proud to be their partner and we will continue to support them with their endeavours throughout the year!”