160 Years of Growing – A Day to Remember!
Sunday, 28th September
We proudly celebrated our 160th anniversary on Sunday, 28th September, and were thrilled to be joined by over 100 members and local residents.
The day was filled with community spirit and local charm — stalls were brimming with fresh produce, jams, jellies, chutneys, knitwear, cake & candy, and a lively tombola. Thanks to the generosity of all who donated and purchased from the stalls, we’re delighted to share that £900 was raised!
Allotment Tours – A Hidden Gem Revealed
Throughout the day, visitors were invited to tour the allotments — a rare opportunity that many eagerly took up. For some, it was their first time inside the grounds, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors left with produce, ideas, and inspiration, and we received wonderful comments such as:
“What a great place!”
“I now have a few ideas for my garden.”
“Wow, I didn’t know it was so big.”
“All the plots are unique.”
“Members are very friendly and helpful.”
“I’ll be looking out for the next event!”
A Huge Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came early, stayed late, and helped make the day run smoothly. Your hard work truly made the event a success.
Special thanks also go to:
Our volunteer photographer Patricia Etchels who kindly documented the day at no cost — we look forward to sharing these lovely memories with our members and the community.
Tayside Contracts, for their generous donation of tray bakes, crisps, and juice, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Hilltown Community Centre Management Group, for their donation which enabled us to offer free tea, coffee, and face painting.
A Celebration of Kindness
The joy of the day extended beyond the event itself. Leftover cakes were donated to the Salvation Army Lifehouses (Burnside Mill & Strathmore Lodge), where they brought smiles to many faces.
A special mention goes to Harry Tosh, who baked the stunning celebration cake, and Donna Rylance, who beautifully decorated it (though neither wanted to cut it!).
In a lovely gesture, Mrs. Liz Leiper offered to buy the cake for £50, choosing to donate it to Balcarres Nursing Home. Thank you, Liz, for your thoughtfulness. Liz later returned with a slice of the cake to share with our members — a perfect ending to a wonderful day.