AN overgrown fruit and vegetable patch at a historic home has been returned to its former glory.
The first shrubs and herbs have been planted on the site at Eastwood house in East Renfrewshire.
Volunteers have resurrected the plot at the 19th Century family home of Lord Weir of Cathcart.
The allotment site was once the location of a fruit and vegetable gardens and greenhouses that supplied fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to the kitchens of the grand mansion house.
The estate is now owned by East Renfrewshire Council and over the years the veg gardens have fallen into disrepair, becoming completely over run by weeds.
That was until the volunteers pitched in.
Four local community groups, Thornliebank Tenants and Residents Association, Giffnock Community Council, Thornliebank Community Council and the Woodfarm Residents Group have been driving and developing the allotment revamp for the past five years.
Now Eastwood Nursery Allotments Association has been formed specifically to develop the Eastwood Park site as allotments for the future.
And with the help of volunteers from the near-by Whole Foods Market, a herb garden is taking root on the site.
Steve Taylor, chairman of Eastwood Nursery Allotments Association said: "Allotments bring incredible benefits to the area.
"They provide healthy activity, help reduce food miles and introduce local schoolchildren to the benefits of growing their own food.
"They'll also discover how much healthier and tastier food is when it's grown locally rather than shipped half way round the world."
The board has also invited local residents to come forward and put their names down for plots which it is hoped will be allocated within the next few weeks.
The association has worked closely with East Renfrewshire Council to secure a lease of the land and have undertaken extensive community consultation to help develop the project.
East Renfrewshire Council's environment convener, Vincent Waters, said: "The site is close to many local nurseries and schools which it makes it the perfect location.
"The schools are interested in educational projects associated with environmental food projects, summer transition activity for pupils with additional needs and are therefore represented by both eco committees and their social justice staff.
"There will be plots provided for local organisations such as East Renfrewshire Carers Centre and Woodfarm Education Centre, which are all on the doorstep of the perfect location."
Local residents interested in renting a plot should e-mail their name and details to Lisa Robertson at thornlie banktra@sky.com or contact Steve Taylor on 0141 621 2989.
ewan.fergus@ eveningtimes.co.uk