Meet the Huntly Town Gardeners

Something new is taking root in Huntly's public greenspaces. The Huntly Toon Gardeners are a pair of paid gardeners who will be out and about in council-owned borders across town — tending, planting, and working alongside anyone who wants to get involved.

"Anyone can join, there is always plenty to do for all abilities."

Maria and Katrina will be reviving Huntly's edible trail for the town gardener pilot this year. The edible trail was planted by as part of an arts project named a Bite on the Side by Norma Hunter. While some trees and fruit bushes are maturing, some elements of the trail have deteriorated over time. Picking up the pieces and redesigning the trail will enable the town gardeners to connect to people who's like to connect outdoors. Anyone can join, there is always plenty to do for all abilities.

"The pair are not just here to garden."

The pilot is funded by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing fund from Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action. The pair are not just here to garden. They're here to listen, and to help people start their own projects in Huntly's green spaces. If you've got thoughts about Huntly's greenspaces — what's working, what's missing, what you'd love to see — they're the people to talk to. Consider them a friendly point of contact between the community and the work Greener Huntly is doing on the ground.

If the pilot is a success, greener Huntly is hoping to have permanent town gardeners in place. "Consultations have their place" explains Maria, "but there are often the same few people turning up to these in Huntly. Going to an official consultation comes with huge barriers. What we do know though, is that people love a little chat in Huntly. In a small town like this, you quickly get to know folk. And know what changes they want to see." This might provide a far more meaningful picture of what is goo for Huntly. And greener Huntly is aiming to use it to shape their vision of what a greener Huntly looks like.

The close working relationship with the town team and with Aberdeenshire council means that a project like this can happen.