As restrictions are being gradually lifted, there has been a flurry of activity at Carluke Highmill.
Carluke High Mill was built in c.1801 and is being transformed into a community space through help from Carluke Development Trust amongst other community groups.
Carluke’s historic High Mill received Planning Consent for Proposed Alterations and extensions to the mill and former stable buildings and erection of various community buildings within site to form community use spaces and garden and listed Building Consent for Restoration, Alterations and Extensions to Mill and associated buildings.
This is another significant step on the community’s journey to restoring the 200+ year-old Mill and the creation of a Community Growing & Learning Garden and will allow the development and submission of significant funding applications, seeking support for the repair and restoration of the existing buildings and the creation of new community facilities including:
- A Community Food HUB
- An Outdoor Classroom/ Potting Shed
- A Changing Places Facility
- Community meeting and events
The Carluke Community Trading Board (CCT) has led the development of the project for the past two years, and and has achieved a number of successes including;
- Purchase of the Mill and land on behalf of the community
- Creation of community growing areas within the garden.
A garden for everyone
Following a bird survey, volunteers from community groups and residents have cleared the Community Space area of litter, hedges trimmed, trees felled and brushwood cut down. Any suitable wood and brushwood are being used for the weaving of wattle fencing and the remaining will be chipped and used for pathways and weed suppression across the High Mill site.
Diggers currently working on the garden area will level the community space and create raised banking and levels for growing areas. The area for the polytunnels is soon to be levelled and the trenches dug for the rainwater harvesting system. Once the polytunnels have been erected, our Growing Army, who have been growing tomato and pepper plants, can now plant these on site. A variety of crops are anticipated such as lettuce, strawberries, sweet peppers, jalapenos and tomatoes, to list only a few. These will be used by the community, surpluses sold, or prepped and frozen by the CFoodbank. Some will also be used in a program of food prep classes/sessions to be led by the Clydesdale Foodbank.
Volunteers have built bespoke raised beds including wheelchair-accessible raised beds which are in the process of being planted out with community grown plants. Pupils from the local school Victoria Park which caters for pupils within South Lanarkshire who present with a broad range of severe and profound needs from Primary 1 – Primary 7 have been on site to trial these, enjoying activities such as sowing and planting up the accessible beds.
Thanks to collaboration with LDCCC and CDT and CCI have enabled staff to be working on site to plan and manage activities, teach growing skills and assist members of the community enjoy the growing and learning experiences planned for the season.
Find out more and get involved via the ONECAN website and Carluke High Mill Facebook Page.
