2011 - Woodlands Garden, RM Condor, Arbroath
A project very close to my heart and all the Marines associated with 45 Commando Royal Marines has been the Woodlands Garden Project. Taking an old orchard garden and a whole load of donations from far and wide the goal was to create a garden of reflection and a worthy tribute to all who have fallen while serving at RM Condor. Toby Buckland provided the template and during 2011 the garden slowly evolved. Nov 2011 was the launch and when 45 Commando Group returned from Afghanistan on completion of OP HERRICK 14 they paraded on the 11th of Nov 2011. Below are some photographs during the build. Thanks to all the volunteers from Central Scotland Branch of the DSWA who helped during some very wet weekends to add the whinstone retaining walls around the garden.
Facing the block wall of the glass house before it arrived on site and the finished look once built.
HESCO bales were used to create retaining walls and then faced with whinstone, once up to the height they were coped with prefabricated copes to give the finished effect. Not the usual use of HESCO but a fitting use of the material in the garden as it is more often used as blast protection in Afghanistan.
A long project with many working parts that came together in the end providing a fitting place to remember a lost comrade or loved one; or simply wander around the paths within and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere that has been created.
Projects in 2010
Drystane Dyking Services has continued to repair some of the miles of dyke around Angus and build new ones as well. However some of the projects have been much further afield and training courses are now offered to individuals and groups interested in conservation.
September 2010
Culloden Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor, Inverness.
Volunteers from a National Trust for Scotland Thistle Camp repair a boundary dyke at the visitor centre. The camp drew volunteers from New York and Holland as well as much closer to the Highland venue.
Jon Downie, NTS Thistle Camp Leader ponders before selecting his next stone for his stint of dyke.
Bob Wallis, more comfortable in the offshore industry, levels off before the strings come up for the final lift before coping off the repaired dyke.
The last stint completed, and ready for the copes to be placed on the final stretch of wall the volunteers tackled during their week course in drystane dyking.
Some of the camp inspect their handy work with the visitor centre in the background. This tumble down wall was buried in the grass before they arrived and now stands proud as a more fitting boundary to an excellent attraction.