A COMMUNITY garden is to be built in Whitecrook thanks to a funding windfall.

Men’s Shed Clydebank, a skill-sharing group for men with spare time and a will to better themselves, has won the £1,400 award from Glasgow Airport’s Flight Path Fund.

Work on the garden will soon begin on the site near South Elgin Street at Whitecrook Park, with aims of opening the garden to the public in spring next year.

George Drain, who got Men’s Shed up and running in Clydebank last year, said the group is delighted to receive the cash boost.

He told the Post: “We’re thrilled with this new funding which will enable us to start work on transforming this space at Jane Rae Gardens into a community garden space.

“This project will allow people from across the community to engage in healthy outdoor activities whilst learning new skills, establishing social contact and taking an active role in their local community.” Men’s Shed has been operating in Clydebank now for just over a year and since then it has gained around 50 members.

The group is looking to secure premises in the town and is currently in talks with West Dunbartonshire Council about two possible locations. George insisted the group needs a permanent base to secure regular events and to progress the projects they are working on.

In the meantime, the Men’s Shed has been running an angling club and a social night to build membership.

The community garden is going to be arranged and created by skilled Men’s Shed members, which consists of joiners, plasterers, painters, engineers, design managers and other useful tradesmen.

George told the Post he expects the garden will be a useful space for local members of the public to grow and share their own food, along with raised beds to grow flowers.

The group is made of retired, long-term unemployed and men who want to help others and exchange skills for the good of the community.

George added: “Men’s Shed has come on leaps and bounds in the last year — we’re very excited about getting started on the community garden.

“It will be a great space for members of the community to come together, socialise and do something positive.

“I’d like to thank the Flightpath Fund and Councillor Kath Ryall for helping us with the application to get the funds.” Councillor Kath Ryall, who sits on the FlightPath Fund committee, said: “I’m sure those involved in the project will be working hard on its implementation over the coming months and I look forward to seeing the end result.” For more information on Men’s Shed phone 07730 384634 or email georgedrain74@outlok.com