Biodiversity Award
Brighter Bothwell (Organic Community Garden)
The garden was created in 2010 on land provided by South Lanarkshire Council on a 15 year lease, with money from the Climate Challenge Fund.  The garden demonstrates how wildlife can co-exist with food production.  It also showcases good practice in sustainability.
 
There are 62 raised beds including six which are narrow for easy access, and six low beds for use by children.   All are used to grow edibles organically, with a few flowers allowed.
 
The group uses solar panels for energy and collects rainwater from the roof of their building for use by the plot holders. The building serves as a meeting and instructional centre.
 
Two small polytunnels are used for propagating. Compost is made on site and there are wormeries, bird and bat boxes.  An orchard and soft fruit cage have recently been added, as have a pond and bog garden with native plants and a wildflower meadow.  Most recent is a bee border featuring plants particularly attractive to bees; several plot holders now keep bees.
 
All plots are occupied and in productive use and there is a waiting list.  The garden is used for activities by local schools and after school clubs.  Several growers now exhibit at the local flower show where they have been responsible for a welcome increase in entries in the fruit and vegetable classes.