If you’ve been out and about enjoying the fantastic summer weather in the Bo’ness area, you might have spotted a new outdoor space for local people (and creepy-crawlies!) to enjoy.
Affectionately termed the “Bugness Community Woodland Garden”, and as the sign (pictured on the right) notes, it is a space for Bo’ness folk and visitors to the area alike to browse and enjoy. The Woodland Garden was a wholly community effort, and with no budget available for the project, each and every bit of support from community members was much appreciated. Through the power of social media Lorna and Jaine, who led on the creation of the garden, were able to request and receive lots of items that may have otherwise gone to landfill, and have subsequently found a new purpose in this community space.
(Image caption(right): the wooden “Bugness Community Woodland Garden” sign, with brightly coloured bees and ladybirds drawn around the wording.)
The Garden includes a bug hotel, traditionally made from bits and pieces that can often be found in our homes and gardens, as well as planters full of wildlife-friendly plants and seating areas.
Lorna is a creative person who has previously put her talents to good use in the community creating Arches for the much beloved Bo’ness Fair, she told us about the development and impact of the Woodland Garden:
“The inspiration for the bug hotel came from my own garden, I already built my own bug hotel and have always noticed how much interest people take in it so I knew that would be an asset to the Woodland Garden and something that local kids would find appealing to visit.
The effort from all community members to pull this together has been fantastic and it is very satisfying to now hear feedback about how the space is being used and enjoyed, it’s quickly even become a favourite local place to visit for some. Jaine and I hope that this can become a space that is used year round and not just in the summer and nice weather – we are hoping we’ll have pumpkins and spooky decorations there at Halloween and holly balls and lights come Christmas time! Right now we have also asked that kids paint some stones to be placed around the garden, a lot of this has been possible because we’ve been able to use our community Facebook page to reach people and let them know what we’re doing and how they can help and get involved.
I got involved through our local Councillor Ann Ritchie who is a driving force of community action in Bo’ness, and each time I pass it’s so nice to see the area looking better and being used rather than sitting empty.”
(Image caption (left): one of the displays in the garden, with the sign underneath.)
You can find out more about this incredible grassroots community project, and their journey to creating the garden via Lorna’s posts to the public Bo’ness Natters Facebook group:
- Wednesday 16th June
- Tuesday 13th July (less than a month later!)
- Friday 16th July
- More recently, Lorna and Jaine have been working on the garden at Bo’ness Town Hall; you can see their progress in Lorna’s most recent post, along with a request for rocks and stones.
Well done Lorna, Jaine, Ann and all other community members who made contributions, big or small, or volunteered their time to help. The Bugness Community Woodland Garden is located at the corner of Dean Road and Provost Road in Bo’ness, if you’d like to plan your visit (directions linked for your convenience, via Google Maps).
(Image caption (above): on the left, a full view of the garden; on the right, a close up of the bug hotel. Click the images for full size version.)
