PLANS to set up a community garden in the grounds of a church in Troon will be set out to the public at an event in the town later this month.

The congregation at St Ninian’s Church in the town’s Bentinck Drive is planning to offer gardening space to individuals and community groups at raised beds in the south-west corner of the church grounds, between the church hall, South Beach Land and Sandylands.

All those interested in becoming a part of the venture, along with anyone who has concerns or would simply like to find out more, are being invited to an open meeting at the St Ninian’s Church hall on Tuesday, August 29 at 7.30pm.

A garden party is also planned at the church for Saturday, September 30 at 2.30pm.

A spokesperson for the project said: “In light of the climate crisis and the food insecurity that may bring we would like to share with our communities the land around our church as a resource to grow food sustainably and learn together about growing food ecologically. We are looking for partnerships with community organisations who also promote our values of generosity, friendship, justice (both for the earth and for people) and diversity to share good practice and resources.

“Positive relationship with neighbours, council and the community are important to us so we will want to inform, consult and communicate as much and as clearly as possible. We want to work with the constraints of council planning and the conservation area we are in. We are interested in the ideas of others

“Initially we are looking to use a small part of the site in the south-west corner to plant some fruit trees, some berry bushes, four raised beds and a storage box for tools, pots and other material that can be used in common.

“We hope to find partners who are interested in cultivating one or more raised beds. As the project gains momentum, we hope more people and organisations might get involved and then we hope to review and expand the area of the site we use.”

Planned guidelines for the use of the site include giving priority to growing food and to indigenous plants that need less specialised care, prohibiting the use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers, and trying to avoid using plastic material – unless it’s recycled – and concrete.

For more information about the project, the open meeting or the garden party, email niniansgarden@gmail.com.