Volunteers behind a Dumfriesshire community garden which has its grand opening on Sunday have had an Absolutely Fabulous boost.
Dame Joanna Lumley and her musician and conductor husband, Stephen Barlow, paid a visit at the weekend to see how the Bridgend Community Gardens – created on a disused tennis court at the edge of Penpont – has come on.
The actress and TV presenter, who is well known in Mid Nithsdale where she has a home, previously visited earlier in the year to get a sneak preview and prior commitments means she won’t be able to officially open it on Sunday when the volunteers are inviting the public in from 3pm to 6pm.
However, the green-fingered residents who formed into a garden group a year ago through the Keir Penpont and Tynron Community Development Trust – which received £32,000 in Scottish Government grant-aid in November to get the project underway – were delighted with her visit.
A statement from the KPT Development Trust said they were “delighted” to see the couple again and thanked them for their support.
It said: “Joanna said she was in the area and was looking forward to seeing how much the garden has progressed. Once again Joanna and Stephen were amazed on how much it has come along.
They kindly chatted with the group and even took some onions, beans and beetroot to try – and, of course, allowed us to take some photographs.
“We were delighted they could again attend and look forward to seeing them both again soon.
“We would like to say a massive thank you to Susie Drife for taking these wonderful photos and we are now looking forward to our grand opening on Sunday and hope to see the public there.”
The volunteers have done an amazing job over the past year to create the garden and are celebrating with food, music, children’s activities and having produce for sale.
The finished garden is close to the new Penpont to Keir core path championed for the community by the trust.
