THE opening of a garden space at Tranent’s Polson Park at the weekend has been hailed a huge success by visitors.
Dementia Friendly Tranent officially opened its Garden of Reflection on Saturday, with East Lothian Lord Lieutenant Roderick Urquhart on hand to do the honours.
The Garden of Reflection has been in the works since 2016, with work starting on the garden in 2020, which was anticipated to cost about £100,000.
Dementia Friendly Tranent received grants and donations to help create the garden, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Work has now officially been completed, with bushes and planting complete, benches and flowerbeds installed, and a tree design, named the Tree of Life, in place.
Four benches are included, with one dedicated to babies and children, one to soldiers, one to the farming community, and one featuring the town’s motto Lie Forrit.
A miner’s hutch has also been added to honour the town’s mining past.
Paula Waugh, of Dementia Friendly Tranent, was delighted with the new garden and how the opening ceremony had gone.
She said: “Saturday was fabulous, the sun was shining and we had a big turnout.
“The trustees would like to thank everyone who came along to support us.
“We would also like to thank Roderick Urquhart, Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, for kindly agreeing to open the garden.
“Councillor Colin McGinn was our MC for the day and thanks to piper Kenny Campbell, who made the day so special.
“We have so many people to thank, including Fa’side Community Kitchen and Tranent Bowling Club, who hosted and made refreshments for our invited guests following the ceremony.”
Following the ceremony on Saturday, guest speaker Mr McGinn, a ward councillor for the town, said: “Rosanne Woods, Maureen Allan and Paula Waugh, thank you so much, and thanks to every single one of you who have played a part in the creation of this beautiful space.
“Their collaborative endeavours, driven by the need to provide this space for us all, have provided, as the information board says, ‘a serene haven for quiet contemplation’.
“Every community needs individuals with dreams, passion and a drive to make where they live that wee bit better. It is the very essence of community and volunteering and for this we are so grateful to you all.”
Fellow ward councillor Fiona Dugdale added: “The hard work of many volunteers, who had a vision for this space for all, have seen their perseverance and resilience deliver a perfect place for reflection.”
Ward councillor Lee-Anne Menzies said: “When people ask why I love living in Tranent, this is one of the many reasons.
“Tranent is a gorgeous place to live, work and play. It’s about time we celebrated all the good there is here.”
Mike Falconer, chair of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: “Congratulations to Dementia Friendly Tranent on the official opening of the Garden of Reflection – a great community space open and available to all.”
Dementia Friendly Tranent also announced the addition of memory pebbles to the garden, inscribed to remember lost loved ones.
Priced at £75 per pebble, which includes inscription, installation, and a contribution to the garden’s maintenance, the stones will be placed under the garden’s memory tree.
Email Dementiafriendlytranent@outlook.com to make a reservation.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel