Bonnymuir Green Community Trust
1682. John Wigglesworth
John Wigglesworth, from Aberdeen, is co-founder and chairman of the ‘Bonnymuir Green Community Trust', a thriving green public space and walled garden in the heart of the city supported by a network of 100 volunteers.
Originally a bowling club started in 1924 but which closed in 2015, John wanted to help transform the derelict land and give it back to the community, marshalling together a team of fellow volunteers to purchase and restore the green. Bonnymuir Green is now open to the public seven days a week for anyone to use, and offers volunteering opportunities, ‘pick your own produce’ from more than 20 raised beds, gardening/craft/art workshops, yoga classes and a creative workshop space, as well as the popular Bonny café serving drinks and cakes during week, as well as home-made soup and hot food from Friday to Sunday.
In a personal letter to John, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Congratulations on your fantastic achievement creating ‘Bonnymuir Green Community Trust’. Together with your army of volunteers, you have transformed a neglected space into a thriving, eco-friendly community garden visited by thousands of people each year.
“I was inspired to learn of your ‘Bonny café’ which sells the produce grown in your gardens and your wonderful array of community events such as yoga and wellbeing classes. Bonnymuir Green Community Trust epitomises the uplifting spirit of community of which we have seen so much over the last year.”
In response to receiving the award, John said:
“I am delighted to accept this award as recognition for the considerable and worthy efforts of all the volunteers at Bonnymuir Green. In less than three years we have created a beautiful, calm, educational, inclusive and fun place built by volunteers for the whole community. The Green has definitely played a big role in helping the community through living with COVID restrictions and worries.”
Picture credit: DC Thomson (Press and Journal)