Growing a Community: The Journey of Sandside Garden to A Patch Ae Land (SC054563)
It all begins with an idea.
From a Forgotten Patch to a Green Hub in North West Dumfries
Every great community initiative starts with a vision. For the residents of Sandside in North West Dumfries, that vision was simple: to transform a forgotten, derelict piece of land—a place used for fly-tipping and neglect—into a vibrant, safe, and growing community asset.
This is the story of how the Sandside Community Garden Association was born, how it overcame years of challenges, and how it ultimately blossomed into the registered Scottish charity, A Patch Ae Land (SC054563).
1. The Seed of an Idea: 2015
The journey began in 2015 after local resident, Paul McGregor, attended a community development conference and returned with an inspired mission.
The Big Lunch: The project was officially kicked off by hosting a 'Big Lunch' event in Goldie Park, gathering the community-led blueprint for the garden's design.
Late 2015: The Association is Formed: The Sandside Community Garden Association was formally constituted as a volunteer group.
2. Laying the Foundations: 2016 – 2017
years were defined by hard work, securing the site, and establishing governance.
January 2016: The Association was officially established as a constituted volunteer association.
2017: Clearing and Securing the Site: Volunteers worked to clear the former dumping ground. The project secured a vital £6,018 grant to install perimeter fencing, which finally secured the space and allowed the community transformation to begin.
3. Essential Facilities and Utilities: 2019 – 2023
The focus shifted to creating dedicated structures and ensuring year-round operation.
2019: The Community Workshop Container: A storage container was secured through the kind help of Councillor Andy Ferguson from the DG1 complex. This container is now our dedicated Community Workshop, essential for tool storage and security.
Mid-2022: Electricity Installed: A major infrastructure upgrade was achieved with the installation of electricity (in partnership with Scottish Power and the Council).
June 2022: Overcoming Adversity: The project faced a serious spate of vandalism, but the community rallied to protect the shared space, demonstrating immense resilience.
July 2023: Permanent Water Secured: The garden celebrated a huge infrastructural victory: securing a permanent water supply, essential for maintaining the garden's growth and facilities.
4. The Community Hub Takes Shape: Safety and Growth (2024 – Early 2025)
These milestones solidified the garden's role as a true community safe space and year-round hub.
Early 2024: The Summer House Installed: The Summer House was installed to provide a safe, covered space for volunteers and visitors.
December 2024: A Game Changer—The Static Caravan: This was an act of incredible generosity and community partnership. The garden was very kindly donated a static caravan by a gentleman from Southerness. AMD Plant Hire worked tirelessly to transport the caravan and covered all necessary permits and fees to ensure it was in place for our Christmas Grotto 2024.
The Heart of the Garden: The caravan immediately became the heart of the community garden, functioning as our central Community Hub for social interaction, especially during the winter months, and serving as our main planning and operations centre.
Early 2025: Safety First - Electrics Added: The Summer House was upgraded with electrical charging points for phones and lights. This decision was driven by the committee's wish to work with local teenagers who use the garden late at night, ensuring they have a 24/7 safe space and the ability to charge phones for safety, allowing parents/carers to get in touch or track them if necessary.
5. The Final Bloom: Our Charitable Status
The success, growth, and commitment to community wellbeing demonstrated by the Sandside Community Garden proved that the project had matured beyond its initial identity.
Today, the organisation is proudly known as a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO):
A Patch Ae Land (SC054563)
The SCIO status formalises the core mission that the volunteers have pursued since 2015. Our official charitable purposes now guide all our work: Advancing Health, Advancing Education, Advancing Community Development, and Advancing Environmental Protection in North West Dumfries.
Join Our Story
From a handful of dedicated residents and a derelict piece of land, we have blossomed into A Patch Ae Land (SC054563), a vibrant green haven that nurtures community from nature.
We invite you to visit, volunteer, or support us as we continue to grow. Your time and generosity ensure that the seed planted in 2015 continues to flourish for the entire community.