Polmont community hub garden in the running for £30k transformation grant
Kenny Alexander, the hub's volunteer sustainability manager, said: 'Our vision is rooted in the idea of people looking after each other and the planet. Whether it's growing food, offering a space to connect, or creating a place where people can learn new skills, we're focused on building something long-lasting and meaningful. This is about future-proofing our community.'
The funding would support groundwork and growing space development across two acres of open land behind the hub. Volunteers have already set up composting facilities and are working with local volunteers to plan social gardens, outdoor classrooms and seasonal events like turnip carving at Halloween.
The Community Bloom Fund was launched by off grid energy distributor Certas Energy to support impactful grassroots projects across the UK. Winners will be decided through a public vote.
Richard Billington, managing director of Energy Solutions at Certas Energy, said: 'The team at Polmont Community Hub stood out for their passion, determination, and commitment to sustainability. The way they're combining climate action with community wellbeing is genuinely inspiring. This kind of project shows just how much can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.'
With more homes being built in the area and demand for community services growing, volunteers say now is the time to invest in spaces that bring people together, promote resilience, and build for the future.
Kenny added: 'This is about so much more than a garden. It's about growing hope, connection, and resilience in our community. With support from the public and Certas Energy, we have the chance to create a lasting legacy that nourishes both our people and the planet for years to come.'
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The Herald Scotland
31-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Polmont community hub garden in the running for £30k transformation grant
Run entirely by unpaid volunteers, the hub has already become a lifeline for the community, serving hundreds of local residents each week. Organisers want to expand that reach even further by investing in outdoor spaces and infrastructure that support community resilience, education, and sustainability. Kenny Alexander, the hub's volunteer sustainability manager, said: 'Our vision is rooted in the idea of people looking after each other and the planet. Whether it's growing food, offering a space to connect, or creating a place where people can learn new skills, we're focused on building something long-lasting and meaningful. This is about future-proofing our community.' The funding would support groundwork and growing space development across two acres of open land behind the hub. Volunteers have already set up composting facilities and are working with local volunteers to plan social gardens, outdoor classrooms and seasonal events like turnip carving at Halloween. The Community Bloom Fund was launched by off grid energy distributor Certas Energy to support impactful grassroots projects across the UK. Winners will be decided through a public vote. Richard Billington, managing director of Energy Solutions at Certas Energy, said: 'The team at Polmont Community Hub stood out for their passion, determination, and commitment to sustainability. The way they're combining climate action with community wellbeing is genuinely inspiring. This kind of project shows just how much can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.' With more homes being built in the area and demand for community services growing, volunteers say now is the time to invest in spaces that bring people together, promote resilience, and build for the future. Kenny added: 'This is about so much more than a garden. It's about growing hope, connection, and resilience in our community. With support from the public and Certas Energy, we have the chance to create a lasting legacy that nourishes both our people and the planet for years to come.'
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Telegraph
Telegraph style book: Hh
H hang: People are hanged but pictures are hung H-bomb: Uses a hyphen, but nuclear weapon is often the better term Habsburg: Not Hapsburg hairdryer: Not hairdrier halal: Permissible under Islamic law Hallowe'en: With the apostrophe Hamas: Is a terrorist organisation. Do not call its members 'militants' or similar Hamleys: No apostrophe handover: no hyphen hardliner: Be very selective in its use hard-pressed: Is becoming clichéd and ubiquitous. Use only if all else fails hare-brained: Not hair Haringey: Is a north London borough, one ward of which is Harringay Harley-Davidson HarperCollins: One word Harper's Bazaar Harpers & Queen Harrods: No apostrophe Harvey Nichols hawks and doves: Use sparingly in descriptions of the relative levels of aggression or conciliation between two factions head teacher: two words. If a school explicitly calls theirs a headmaster or headmistress use that instead head-butt: Is tautological. Use butt healthcare heartbreak: Tabloid, avoid heart condition: Avoid. Every heart has some condition heart failure: Is often a sign of death, not its cause heart-rending: Not heart-wrenching Heathcliff heatwave: Is one word Hello! The magazine Helmand hiccup: Not hiccough Hi-De-Hi! High Church hijab: A covering for the head but not the face. Do not confuse with burka or niqab, which do cover the face hijack: The seizure of any vehicle - land, sea or air - without lawful reason. The original meaning of criminals stealing from criminals is too restrictive. Skyjacking may still be used Hindi (language), Hindu (religion), Hindustani was a pidgin Hindi used by British soldiers in India Hinkley Point C (Hinkley Point is also fine, if there is no chance of confusion with the other stations). Hinckley, Leicestershire hi-tech Hezbollah: Not Hizbollah historic: Important in history 'historic structures in Pompeii; the historic moment when the Berlin Wall fell' historical: Concerned with history or established by history. 'A historical novel, historical abuse allegations' hoard: a store of food or treasure: horde: a multitude Hobson's Choice: Is not the lesser of two evils. It is not a choice at all hoi polloi: A way of referring to common people, and an elitist term usually used by people who consider themselves to be above the masses. Hoi is the definite article, so don't say 'the' hoi polloi hold-up: For delays or crimes, but hold up as a verb Holiday, Billie Holland: Use the Netherlands unless talking about that specific region Holocaust: Cap up when used to describe the Nazi genocide. Lower case in other uses, but ensure you use it legitimately to describe mass destruction Holy Communion: Takes caps Holyrood: (One 'L') is the Scottish Parliament; Holyroodhouse the King's residence homeowner home town homeopathy homogeneous: Having the same constituent elements throughout, used for people, communities etc that have homogeneity. Do not confuse it with: homogenous, which is a form of milk homosexual: Is outdated as a noun or adjective. Use gay Hooray Henrys horrify: Use only literally, and therefore sparingly Horse Guards Parade horse riding: Just say 'riding' horsy hosepipe hotspot housebuilders Howards End Howerd, Frankie: late comedian HRH/HM as the abbreviations for His/Her Royal Highness and His/Her Majesty are styles, not titles hummus: Is food, humus is compost Humphrys, John hyperthermia: Condition of having body-temperature much above normal hypothermia: Condition of having body-temperature much below normal.
STV News
11-05-2025
- STV News
Fire drills for school pupils to bring down deliberate blazes
Teenagers in Dundee have swapped their school lessons for hands-on training at the local fire station Pupils from six secondary schools across the city have been learning basic firefighting drills, using hoses and hydrants and using ladders as part of a Scottish Fire and Rescue safety programme. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce the number of deliberate fires in the city. Fire safety advocate Kevin Phillip says Dundee has a 'high incidence' of fire-raising. He told STV News: 'We have driven it down in the last four years but it's a continual battle. 'There's dangers associated with everything but especially fire. Two gulps of thick black smoke can almost render you unconscious so don't get involved in it. 'Young people are fascinated by fire, so this is part of it. We want these young people to go back to their schools and say 'wait a minute, this is our community and we're doing damage.' 'But it's really building up leadership skills, self confidence and take it back to their schools and think we can look after our communities across Dundee.' It comes after a rise in deliberate fires in the city. STV News Fire at former Robertsons Furniture shop in Dundee in 2022 Six children aged 12 and 13 were charged in connection with a blaze at the former Robertson's furniture store in 2022, while the Kirkton area of the city has been beset with deliberate fires at Halloween in recent years. Pupil Keevah Molloy thinks the project will help get the message through to young people. She said: 'Fires are a big thing in youth so if they do this, they'll think 'what's the point in setting a fire?' 'It is a lot to learn, but when you know it, you do get the hang of it. Everyone is there to help each other.' It is hoped this project will help boost pupils confidence and help develop a sense of pride in their community. As well as spreading a safety message, it is also giving young people a foot on the firefighting ladder. Pupil Elidh Shearer said: 'I think it's going to be useful. Even if I don't go to the fire service, there's still safety stuff you can take from it.' Peyton Macdonald added: 'I didn't expect to be doing actual fire drills and stuff but it's been quite good, it's been a good challenge.' 'It's actually a lot harder than it looks especially with the hoses, you're down and hurting your back and stuff,' Beth Esplin added. Teams of pupils will face off in a firefighting competition at the end of the month. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
