Hawthornbank Walled Garden Opening

Once in commercial use and then a playground, by 2014 the council-owned site was neglected, run-down and dangerous. Only yards away, the Tom Thumb nursery group had very limited playing area. Juliette Lee, a local resident and business woman and Fiona Chandler who also lived nearby and worked for the BBC, decided to remedy the situation. Funding was raised to clear the site and prepare half the garden. Further fundraising allowed completion of the project which is now fully planted and contains original wall-carvings by sculptor Brian Cox. The garden also provides a permanent home for the Ferry Mural - Garry Smith and Mike Spring's community arts project which was created by over one hundred local residents and provides a snapshot of a moment in time in Queensferry featuring local life and landmarks. In unveiling the work of art, in a prominent position before the retaining wall of the site, the artists encouraged people to look closely at the mural which contained many fascinating and intricate details.

In her opening address, Juliette thanked all those who had sponsored the project, volunteered to work on the garden and who had donated plants to complete this phase of the garden. Visitors then enjoyed tea and snacks to music from local musicians. There was also a photographic record of the project on display showing progress from a neglected site to the walled garden. Queensferry now has a beautiful new amenity and the nursery children have a safe, grassy place to play