RESIDENTS of Glasgow's South Side are putting down the roots on a healthy lifestyle thanks to the opening of two community gardens.

Funding for the Priesthill and Househillwood scheme, known as the Three Hills Community Gardens project, came from the Scottish Government's Healthy Weight Communities initiative.

The gardens are next door to each other at Cleeves Primary School and Burnbrae Nursery.

Johann Lamont, Scottish Labour Party leader and MSP for Pollok, was there to launch the scheme, which aims to encourage residents across the generations, the nursery and primary children and their families to get involved in gardening, be more physically active, learn about nature and grow their own healthy food.

Ms Lamont said: "The social and environmental benefits of the Three Hills Community Gardens project will be far-reaching.

"As well as being lovely to look at, the gardens will encourage people of all ages to be more physically active, whilst giving them an opportunity to develop a range of new skills.

"The gardens also have an important role to play in educating people about the process of growing fresh fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy eating."

Part-time gardener Chris Armour has been appointed to work with the community to maintain the gardens, develop a network of volunteers and support the community garden group.

She will also be giving regular horticultural training workshops to people of all ages and working with NHS services to provide opportunities for patients to access the garden as part of their recovery from a range of illnesses.

Designed and built by Glasgow City Council's Greenspace Team, the project was created by Glasgow City Community Health Partnership – part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – and Glasgow City Council.

Fiona Moss, the Partnership's head of Health Improvement, said: "We consulted local people to find out what they would like for their area and the idea for a community garden was born."

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk