The Isle of Cumbrae has provided plenty of ‘food for thought’ with its community garden which has become a social hub on the island.

Cumbrae community garden in Millport was set up with the help of Councillor Alan Hill and Frank Corcoran of the Cumbrae Initiative Company, after being inspired by similar projects in Fairlie and Islay.

It opened in 2012 after lottery funding was gained for some ground behind the Garrison. The group now has a membership of 30 islanders. But while it promotes a serious educational purpose, it is also a very fun, sociable and relaxing activity, as many people on the island are discovering.

Mazda Munn said: “It is really a community project, and the idea of the garden is an education process - it is really about sharing, growing and educating people about food, and doing something together.” During the last count, there were 42 different foods growing in the garden — mostly vegetables, tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes and onions. Mazda said: “There were some beautiful aubergines. If you mention a vegetable, someone on the island will grow it. It is a raised bed system which is used, and each member has two raised beds, and there are two polytunnels.” Strong links have also been built with the school which has one outside bed and one bed in a polytunnel. It also has connections with the Millport Arts Group which hosts a number of events at the Garrison.

The community garden group would like to boost its membership.

Mazda said: “There are a lot of people locally who are interested, but perhaps do not have the time - and we would like to encourage them to be friends of the community garden. For £5 membership, you can get a key and come along and use the facilities when you please, and there is always a social meeting at midday every Sunday.” “And there is always some work that needs done at the site, from doing a bit of weeding to digging and planting.” The green-fingered enthusiasts use a little cottage at the back of the Garrison which needs a bit of renovation.

Mazda said the group had created an innovative compost toilet at the site, paid for by a grant they received from one of the local windfarms.

“It is a dry system where you don’t need running water. The compost is used to grow things, usually flowers. It is very eco-friendly.” The community garden also includes the beekeeping huts, which we reported on at the turn of the year, after concerns were raised about the mystery disappearance of tens of thousands of bees from the island — a problem which beekeepers are experiencing worldwide.

* Members of the community are invited to join to grow their own organic vegetables and fruit in the raised beds and poly-tunnel. This invitation is extended to interested people of all ages whether they are a keen gardeners or complete novices. There will be emphasis on supporting members and sharing knowledge as well as social events and a lot of fun. For more details, email mazdamunn@hotmail.co.uk * The Cumbrae concept follows the Fairlie community garden project which started in 2008, and included 78 large beds, 100 small beds, and 96 polytunnel beds which allows all year round use at the eco-friendly site.

A derelict brownfield stretch of ground near Fairlie pier was turned into a mini allotment garden using innovative composting and vermi-culture techniques. The community garden concept is seen as pioneering the global fight against climate change with the opening of a sustainable garden that champions innovative waste management practices.