Dal Muir Plots Association, Clydebank

About 5 years ago we heard that plans to regenerate the River Clyde were underway and that we would lose our land to property developers by 2007. A few members of the committee decided to try to save our site, by bringing it into the 21st Century. We explained to our members that to apply for funding we had to make the plots accessible to the wider community not just plotholders.

In August 2004 we unveiled our plans for an education centre, community composting, sensory garden, renewable energy, composting toilets and improved accessibility. Thankfully the membership was 100% behind us, so a new committee was voted in and the task of looking for funding for our mammoth project began. We have submitted an application to our local Environmental Improvement Key Fund. We are very fortunate to have supportive community workers assisting us (Building Brighter Futures, Clydebank and Community Links). Peter Garioch and Ian Welsh, the ARI Mentors for Scotland have also been extremely helpful and informative.

We hope to be able to network with other associations and share information as our project develops. We are planning to make a video diary of our progress. Watch this space!

Karen Hillhouse

First published in ARI Newsletter, Spring 2006.