St Matthew’s gardening group in Climate Matters initiative

May 25 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

CLIMATE change matters to Perth gardeners who are taking part in the five-month CSV Action Earth campaign.

The group at St Matthew’s Church are involved in this year’s campaign, which is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage to encourage biodiversity through practical environmental projects.

Members are joining the call to prise people free of their armchairs to lend a hand to improve the local environment.

The garden next to St Matthew’s Church on Tay Street has won awards in the past for its good design and beautiful appearance.

However, now it needs work. The garden group want to create a quiet space which is also a wildlife-friendly garden, where people can enjoy the peace and tranquility around them.

Moving plants, making a paved area and putting up trellises to maintain privacy in the ‘Re-creation Garden’ are priorities.

Members are beginning to put in the summer bedding and their next gardening day is on Saturday.

Anyone who can spare a few minutes between 9.30am and noon will be welcomed. Helpers are asked to take their own tools if possible.

Project co-ordinator Morag Green wants to see as many people as possible come along to help on the day.

“Everybody can get involved in conserving biodiversity,” she told the PA.

“It is a shared resource and a shared responsibility. From the smallest individual action to a national campaign, every contribution helps.

“The Action Earth Biodiversity Awards are designed to help groups of volunteers take practical action to improve and create places for wildlife.

“This is a great chance to make a difference to your own community.”

Added attractions at St Matthew’s on May 29 and 30 are the popular arts café and Perth Art Association’s festival exhibition, both in the church halls, and the ‘Art on the River’ stalls outside on Tay Street.