When open, a window can be music, birdsong, laughter. A window is connections to different possibilities. They bring a world closer, they show us how to reach.

A real source of inspiration for the original sanctuary garden were stories and poems from the area’s historical and industrial past:

One poem, brought to a workshop by local resident Margaret, was ‘The Puir Wifes Brae’. It recounts the story of Isobel Hunter, who in the 1500’s cultivated a medical herb garden for the use of local wives.

This idea of a shared and nurturing healing space has been carried into the present day here at Boghall, where the garden is not only a landscape for herbs and other plants, but also a place to socialise, to play music, to put on events: or to find ‘sanctuary’, wellbeing, peace.

Look out for a range of free community activities that will take place over the next year. These will include celebrations, creative opportunities, gardening and cooking projects.

The aim is that this will develop into a vibrant space as part of an ongoing and sustainable community resource. It will be open to everyone. We want people to feel encouraged to think – I want to get involved, here’s a place I can be part of, I have something I can offer, I can learn, I can have fun.

Words by: Tessa Berring
Images by: Albie Clark/James McLardy