Kate Allan had the seed of an idea for a community garden in Musselburgh and shared her vision with Wilma from Musselburgh Library and Sue from Dementia Friendly East Lothian at a DFEL workshop in Musselburgh. A plan quickly emerged. Wilma wanted to develop a community garden at the back of the Library, Kate wanted to develop a community garden in Musselburgh and Sue wanted to support community garden projects in Musselburgh where people living with dementia and carers could visit and enjoy the many benefits of being outdoors in nature.

Kate visited the back of Musselburgh Library and saw the potential straight away:

“We discovered this amazing space, which was instantly extremely appealing because it was nice and enclosed, two old stone, slightly curvy walls. It was basically a nice space, which had enormous potential. It was clear immediately that we could do a lot. It could be great”

The Members and team at the Musselburgh Meeting Centre were keen to get involved. Kate has a long-standing interest in and has worked with people living with dementia and is a regular visitor at the Musselburgh Meeting Centre and Friendship Group. The link was made and Kate worked with Fiona, the (then) Meeting Centre manager and her team to involve Meeting Centre Members in designing, creating and enjoying the Musselburgh Library Garden. The project soon became intergenerational when the Meeting Centre Members invited their friends from Musselburgh Grammar School to join in too.

There’s also lots of community support from donating plants, pots and a helping hand to financial support from Musselburgh Area Partnership and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership supported the project.

The Meeting Centre Members’ first visit to the Library Garden was a dreich, cold November cold day to plant bulbs. As Kate says:

“…. that was a lovely, sort of hopeful thing, and then people who came along this week [in spring] were able to see the tulips and the daffodils had just gone over, but we had loads of daffodils for that crocuses, et cetera. “

Since then, there have been many occasions to rest, work and play in the garden. People people don’t have to dig or do physical things in the garden. Musselburgh Meeting Centre Members enjoy going to the garden for a walk, some fresh air and be out in nature in a place where they comfortable and uplifted.

Meeting Centre Members have shared what they love about the garden:

Being excited about being part of something new. “This is a new thing that started there now, but they had [sessions] last year, at the library, you know, and she says, ‘I’m needing some people who give us a hand,’ I said, ‘Well, come on!”

Just being me. “I was somewhat reluctant to come. I thought it was gonna be really weird. I thought we would be, sort of, marshalled, if you know what I mean… but in fact, you were encouraged to be yourself… And I think it’s done me a power of good.”

Feeling connected “… you don’t have to explain yourself, because they’re on the same boat, so that’s another good thing.” “The garden gives us a place to meet, chat and belong.” 
”It’s done me a power of good.”

Staying active. “It keeps our brain active. That’s the main thing.’

The Library Garden has grown roots and networks wider across the community, welcoming families, tea parties and Guinea pigs. There’s also a Garden Club for children and intergenerational projects. It’s an important hub in the community. Having a garden in the library has lots of benefits, including social and community contacts:

“…there are lots of people coming in out of the library. There are loads of groups that meet at the library, we’re trying to get people who are using the library regularly to come out and chat about things and have a loop. And so that kind of ideal of it being a way of connecting.”

And it’s a good place for nature. As Kate says:

“It’s not just people who visit us here. Mother Nature likes to come along, too. She blends sparrows, blackbirds and pigeons, goldfinches to name but a few. It’s not just adults who visit and work here. There’s a children’s gardening club too. They’ve planted seed, own potatoes… and a wonderful job they’ve done too.”

Thanks to all we’ve made this possible to staff, to children and volunteers too, who’ve termed this once sad neglected space into a people’s garden.

The Musselburgh Library Garden is open to all. You can get into the Garden through the library or go down the lane down the side of the library, which comes directly to the garden.

To find out more about the Musselburgh Library Garden, please contact: Kate:

Details

Postscript:

Congratulations!

A much deserved award for all involved: On 20th August, East Lothian Courier reported the exciting news that Musselburgh Library was selected by the European Cultural Foundation’s Buddies project as a standout example of community-led learning – the only Library selected in Scotland.

You can read the story here:
https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/26464798.east-lothian-library-garden-wins-europe-wide-recognition/