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BABCA open a brand new community garden in Bourtreehill
A local community group dedicated to tackling social isolation and revitalising the areas of Broomlands and Bourtreehill has opened a brand-new community garden after receiving £12,700 funding from the council’s Community Investment Fund.
Thanks to the support of Irvine Locality Partnership who presented the proposal to council officials, the windfall was granted to Broomlands and Bourtreehill Community Association (BABCA) following a meeting of Cabinet in Spring 2024.
BABCA – a registered charity – manage Towerlands Community Centre and the Farm Basket Community Larder and they sought the funding to establish their very own community garden on grounds outside the community centre.
Formerly a swing park, the derelict land had become overrun and was described by the community volunteers as a jungle.
Treasurer Irene McIlwain from the community association said: “On behalf of our committee and everyone at the community centre and food larder, I would like to share a huge thank you to the Irvine Locality Partnership who have helped us to secure the vital funding from North Ayrshire Council’s Community Investment Fund.
“The garden project at Towerlands Community Centre started off as an absolute jungle with grass up to our waists but we have been able to use the CIF funding boost to fully realise our goal of creating a space for our members to come together and learn new skills outdoors.
“The funding allowed us to purchase the gardening tools, seeds and materials needed to create the raised beds and planters in our garden.
“Scott Brown from DoverYard also stepped in with his colleagues from Shewalton Incinerator Plant who have kindly sponsored our garden to clear, dig it up and monoblock, and they also arranged for the planters to be manufactured down at the Irvine Harbour Men’s Shed. Everyone has been so generous, and we are so grateful to everyone that has played their part. We couldn’t have done it with you all!
“Thanks to the Irvine Locality Partnership, DoverYard and all the local volunteers working in partnership with us, our garden is thriving and we couldn’t be happier. An additional thanks go to the Irvine Locality team for their continued support as we navigated the CIF funding application process and for their support with other projects delivered via our busy community centre. We are so grateful to have them on board.”
Council Leader Marie Burns and North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson were among special guests to the official opening on Friday 15 August.
Quote: Congratulations to BABCA on the unveiling of their new community garden. This is a fantastic example of how the council’s Locality Planning Partnership is working closely with community organisations to achieve their ambitions and take pride in local venues. Not only have BABCA been able to create a welcoming place to retreat to, they have also built somewhere that will allow other people in the community to come together and learn about the benefits of green health, gardening and experiencing the benefits of time spent together outdoors in their community.
Quote from: North Ayrshire Provost, Councillor Anthea Dickson
Situated where the old swing park used to be, the Irvine Locality team have also supported BABCA volunteers to create their own vegetable patch and herb garden.
The idea is that the produce grown will help the centre to become more sustainable by supporting a homegrown food supply for Towerlands Community Centre’s neighbouring Farm Basket community larder and for other community partners like Café Solace at Fullarton ConneXions in Irvine.
Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands added: “North Ayrshire Council is proud to support Broomlands and Bourtreehill Community Association with our latest instalment of Community Investment Funding for the communities of Irvine.
“Thank you to the Irvine Locality Partnership for supporting the proposal and using their expertise to help this important community group.
“This is a brilliant example of a valuable community resource that supports the Irvine’s Locality Priorities of enhancing the skills of those in the community, improving facilities and amenities, and creating welcoming and accessible spaces to reduce social isolation. I look forward to seeing the garden project continue to thrive as a welcoming addition in the heart of the community.”
The council’s Community Investment Fund is all about community empowerment in action, and your community group or association can benefit too. Speak to your locality officer to find out more about how to apply. Find out more about funding opportunities and how to contact the team on North Ayrshire’s Community Planning Partnership website.
Published: 26 August 2025