Morrisons Foundation Awards £7,596 to Support the Barn’s Walled Garden Development Project
The Barn is pleased to announce a donation of £7,596 from the Morrisons Foundation’s 125 Year Community Spaces Fund to support Phase One of the Walled Garden Development Project. This funding will help transform an unused green space at the Woodend at Crathes site in Banchory into a community-focused garden that celebrates the area’s rural heritage and promotes ecology-based creative learning.
About the Project
The Walled Garden, with views to Scolty and Clachnaben, will be restored to become an accessible and inclusive space for the local community, featuring regenerative plants that demonstrate sustainable practices. Once completed, it will support the Barn’s educational workshops, arts programming, and community outreach activities.
Phase One
The Morrisons’ grant will fund the initial phase of the project, which involves employing a specialist contractor, CRC, to prepare the ground, remove old tarpaulin, and clear natural debris while preserving a mature apple tree. The soil will be enriched to boost fertility and support carbon capture. Native plant species will be introduced to enhance biodiversity and promote a resilient ecosystem.
Future Plans
In Spring 2025 and subject to Creative Scotland’s funding support of the Barn, the Barn then hopes to seek further grant funding for a second Phase of works at the Walled Garden, which will establish accessible paths, planting areas, and a shelter. The further development of the Walled Garden will also lead to widespread opportunities for volunteering, with community members and local companies invited to get involved in creating a space that will be a fantastic resource for the local community.
The Walled Garden will become a space that supports the Barn’s annual programme, artists and soil ecologists, whilst also hosting targeted projects for vulnerable groups facing social isolation. It will promote well-being, enhance social inclusion, and serve as a community hub for creative and educational activities.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Morrisons Foundation for supporting this project,” said Cath du Preez, Head of Operations. “The Walled Garden will become a unique space that combines arts, environmental sustainability, and creative learning, hopefully benefiting Aberdeenshire communities for years to come.”
Aysha Hutcheon Community Champion for Morrison’s Banchory said, "I was so excited to find out that the Barn had been awarded one of the 125 Community Spaces Grants. The project will provide fantastic support for vulnerable communities. I'm proud of the support Morrison's have been able to offer and I look forward to visiting the garden once complete”
