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Dedicated volunteers from Winchburgh are celebrating after securing yet another award - this time a silver gilt medal in the prestigious Keep Scotland Beautiful Awards. Judges praised both groups for their work with local schools and nurseries, and were impressed by the dedication shown by volunteers to develop and enhance the village’s green spaces. Among the highlights that impressed the judges was the new “Auldcath-edral”, a domed willow cathedral which was created by the 50 local volunteers in partnership with Deeside Willow in February. It has since become a well-loved spot for community events and residents looking for a quiet space to relax and enjoy nature. Another area in which the Growers have excelled is in the work they’ve done to enhance the green spaces around Winchburgh Marina. This area is nurtured by popular local businesses owners Irene and Marguerite, who run The Wee Bothy and Villaggio Gelato from ‘beach hut’ retail units. The groups regularly collaborate with other local organisations and groups, one of which is the West Lothian Council Community Pay Back Team who have helped deliver new pathways and dig foundations for new amenities such as the Auld-Cathedral and pond. The community was also recognised in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category, which aims to shine the spotlight on inspiring volunteer-led groups which clean and beautify their local neighbourhoods. John West, co-chair of Winchburgh Community Growing Group, said: “It’s great to see Winchburgh’s wonderful volunteers continue to get the recognition they deserve for all their hard work. “Our volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year - come rain or shine - to transform our growing area and keep the local area litter-free for the local community. “All the work that goes on here is the result of team effort. It’s great to see so many different volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to create something special for the people of Winchburgh to enjoy. “Aileen, who leads the Wombles, is an absolute superstar and such an inspiration - she goes above and beyond when it comes to litter-picking, organising the group, and supporting local groups and school pupils to organise litter-picks.” Aileen Murdoch, co-founder of the Winchburgh Wombles, said: “The Winchburgh Wombles group was set up to inspire local people to get involved in keeping the village clean and tidy and the volunteers do an incredible job of that. “The people of Winchburgh have always taken great pride in their local community, and it’s great to see our volunteers recognised on a national scale.” Penny Lochhead, Community, Sports and Greenspace Manager for Winchburgh Developments, added: “Here in Winchburgh, we are so lucky to have the Winchburgh Community Growing Group and the Winchburgh Wombles. "They do such a fantastic job of enhancing the village, and providing a friendly space for the local community to come together as volunteers. "Everyone here at Winchburgh Developments is so impressed by the work that they do and would like to congratulate all the volunteers on another well-deserved win.” The Winchburgh Community Growing Group was founded in 2018 after two residents came forward during the consultation for the design of Auldcathie Park and suggested they could help connect and build a community of growers in the rapidly expanding village. Winchburgh Developments Limited was keen to support their ambitious plans for local people to experience the physical and mental benefits that collective growing and volunteering can bring, and gifted the group a 1.5-acre area within the new 85-acre Auldcathie District Park to base their community growing from in 2021. The Winchburgh Wombles is a sub-group of the Winchburgh Growing Group which was set up to inspire and empower local people to keep the village clean and tidy. They regularly arrange group litter-picks and sessions with local schools and community groups such as the Scouts and Brownies to educate young people about the impact litter has on the environment. To find out more about Winchburgh Community Growing Group and the Winchburgh Wombles, visit: https://www.winchburghcgg.co.uk/ Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
