glenmore trust’s community garden launch

Rory was “delighted and honoured” to plant a commemorative oak tree at the launch of the Glenmore Trust’s community gardens initiative at their Heathlands Farm project outside Carlisle. Guided by project manager Bill Parkin, Rory met with staff and members of the project in a tour of the farm, which included a presentation on the Trust’s recent achievements.

Rory said: “It’s a pleasure and an honour to be here today, and meet with all the people involved in the Glenmore Trust’s excellent work here at Heathlands. I’m delighted to be able to see the wide range of activities offered by the Trust here, and am so impressed at its community gardens project. I look forward to supporting the Trust in the future, and to visiting again to see how my tree grows.”

The Glenmore Trust works with adults and young people with learning disabilities, and provides residential and domiciliary support enabling those with disabilities to live as independently as possible; formed in 1988, it began as a partnership of social services, East Cumbria Health Authority, Impact Housing Association, and Carlisle and Penrith Mencap Societies. The Heathlands Farm site was set up in 2006 at Harker Road Ends, and offers a wide range of day services. It is hoped that the centre will eventually offer allotments, wildlife walks and activities, and a cafe, all of which will be  available to the local community.

Bill Parkin, Project Manager at Heathlands, said: ““It was a great pleasure for all of us at the Heathlands Project (part of the Glenmore Trust) to meet Rory; he won many hearts on his visit. Whilst at the project Rory planted an oak tree to commemorate the start of the community gardens at Heathlands, funded by Biffa and The Lottery Peoples millions and to be completed this summer. This project will transform an acre of wasteland, add drainage, a polytunnel, a rain water collection system, car parking and roads and will be available for local people to use free of charge. The oak tree was particularly appropriate as an acorn is The Glenmore Trust’s logo, signifying what can be built from a small start.”