TV star helps Avoch residents enjoy the Good Life in new village garden
A DERELICT site in the Black Isle village of Avoch, where TV star Penelope Keith once had plans to build a tea room, has been transformed from an eyesore into a beautiful community garden.
For many years the corner site near the harbour, on which a petrol station once stood, had remained unused and had started to attract flytipping and litter amongst the many weeds.
It was purchased by the comedy star’s company, Pencon Productions Ltd, and after a lengthy planning wrangle she eventually won planning consent for a new tea room.
But the site, near the entrance to the village, remained undeveloped and started to become even more of an eyesore.
The owners agreed to let Avoch and Killen Community Council make use of the land and generously agreed to fund the clearing of the site in order to turn it into a community garden for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Work began earlier this year to clear the site of all the unsightly waste.
Topsoil was donated by Tulloch Construction and transported using GF Job Ltd vehicles.
The area was then landscaped by Aardvark Contracting of Fortrose and trees donated by Munro’s Nurseries in Bogallen were planted by volunteers.
“By now, passers-by had become very curious as to what was going on and before we knew it, people were very kindly donating plants and their time to enhance the garden,” said community council chairwoman Sarah Dunton.
“A sturdy picnic bench was donated and erected on the site once the gravel had been spread and then the garden started to fill up with a variety of really lovely trees, shrubs and plants.
“This garden is becoming a beautiful place in which to relax and enjoy the surroundings and it is all through the efforts of local residents and businesses working together.
“I hope that not just the local residents can have this pleasure but also the many visitors to the area.”
Ms Dunton added: “It was suggested a mosaic could be erected on the site, complementing other mosaics in Avoch and on the Black Isle created under the guidance of Sally Purdy.
“A local fisherman offered to fund this idea if the theme of the mosaic would reflect Avoch’s fishing heritage, including the valuable role played by women in the fishing industry which is often overlooked.
“Sally has kindly agreed to work with the community council on this project and the local Friendship Club in Avoch have enthusiastically agreed to work on the mosaic.
“Other local residents are welcome to participate in the creation of the mosaic.”
In an area quite close to the new community garden an interpretation project is being planned by the community council to further enhance the area
It is hoped this will be completed by spring or early summer next year.
