26-04-2025
Greenock gardeners get back on their feet after Storm Eowyn wrecks allotments
GARDENERS in Greenock have rallied round after their historic allotments in the town were wrecked by Storm Eowyn.
Members of the Caddlehill Allotments group have managed to rebuild three months after 90mph winds destroyed at least nine greenhouses, leaving the group devastated by the damage.
Now thanks to two major grants and kind donations from the public, the team is making progress and looking forward to the future.
(Image: George Munro)
Committee member Steven Anderson said: "We only had six greenhouses left after the storm, which is a lot considering we have 30 plus members.
"We've been using glass donated from the public, people have donated three greenhouses and also got a donation from Cloch Caravan Park.
"The glass panes are standard sizes but are all slightly different and have to be cut to size."
(Image: George Munro)
Richard Mussenden, pictured with cap repairing a greenhouse, said: "It's getting the weather when it not raining, cold or windy."
The group says it is also very grateful for two grants totalling £5,000 - money which has already been accounted for in the spending to get the gardeners back on their feet.
Steven said: "We are waiting for the delivery of two greenhouses which will bring us back to where we were."They received £2,000 from the Inverclyde Windfarm Fund and a further £3,000 from the Invergrow Resource Fund, as well as previous support from Parklea Branching Out.
The members stressed that they also sourced glass locally using Douglas Rae glazier.
Secretary Rose Dunn said: "We had a great response from the public, I think the article in the Telegraph helped, people have been phoning us saying 'I've got a greenhouse' - we've really benefitted from that."
(Image: George Munro)
Another committee member Glen Miller said that it's heartening to see progress being made as the weather improves.
He said: "Looking at the plots now compared with a couple of months ago - it's such an improvement."
It's also brought the already close-knit group even closer.
Steven explained: "We usually plant seedlings in our own greenhouses before planting them out in the plots, so we've had to share greenhouses.
(Image: George Munro)
"We're also preparing plants for our plant sale at the end of May."
The allotments group is also ringing the changes with new president Julie Morrison and has five new members.
The annual plant sale will take place on May 31 between 10am and 2pm.
If anyone can support the allotments going forward they can email stewartrose582@ to find out more about how to get involved.
