A PROJECT which highlights the benefits of community gardens is really ‘growing’ places.

Members of the Neilston Development Trust (NDT) are to host a food and growing event this weekend as part of a plan to get people eating more local produce.

The Super Luscious Salad Saturday will be held on July 14, from 12.30pm until 3.30pm, and will celebrate the work done so far this year in setting up a number of community gardens across East Renfrewshire.

Pauline Gallacher, NDT chairperson, said: “I’ve just picked my first ever strawberries after shoving them in the ground last year and it’s true what they say – they really taste better when you’ve grown them yourself.

“If I can do it, anyone can.”

NDT and project partners Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) hope the fabulous fruits and gorgeous greens on show at Saturday’s event will inspire more people to dig out their gardening gear and have a try at growing their own at home.

As well as a range of tasty treats, there will be music and lots of entertainment for young guests to enjoy, including arts and crafts activities, a pedal-powered smoothie bike and face painting.

Formed by local people in 2006, NDT is a charity and social enterprise that is part of a nationwide movement of local communities who want to build on their strengths and create a sustainable future for residents.

Saturday’s event takes place at The Bank community hub, in the village’s Main Street, and is open to all.

It is being staged as part of the GET Local Project and is funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund, which supports communities to adopt low carbon behaviours such as producing their own food, reducing the amount of household waste and travelling more sustainably.

To support this change, free cookery workshops, grow-your-own-food sessions and cycling lessons will be offered throughout the coming year by NDT and YES from community hubs across East Renfrewshire.

Anyone who would like to take part in the GET Local Project should call 0141 561 1201 or send an email to admin@neilstontrust.co.uk.