Links with the Local Community

Athelstaneford Primary School

In recent years, pupils in P5, P6 and P7 have made use of the garden for regular gardening and open-air educational activities.

In 2025, the East Lothian Outdoor Education Unit arranged for senior pupils to camp in the garden overnight. In 2023, a grant from the RHS Connected Communities Fund allowed us to provide materials and resources to support our connection with the school. It is hoped that our pond will allow pupils to explore aquatic wildlife within the garden.

Read Blog by Athelstaneford Primary School

ELCAN Pond Day

In April 2026, we hosted a meeting organised by East Lothian Climate Action Network for participants interested in finding out how to create and maintain a garden pond.

We were able to share our experience of the reasons for creating the pond, the funding involved, its construction, the refurbishment of the well and the colonisation of the pond by aquatic plants, insects, amphibians and birds.

It was a valuable experience not only for our visitors but for us too, as we were able to learn from people who had created ponds of their own.

East Lothian Beekeepers

In July 2026, the garden was visited by members of the East Lothian Beekeepers Association.

We have a collection of hives, some experimental, maintained by our expert beekeeper, who provides advice to local apiarists and has also run courses on beekeeping in the garden.

North Berwick Book Group

In June 2026, we were delighted to welcome a book group from North Berwick, who chose to use the garden as a venue for discussing their latest book.

They were given a tour of the garden before settling down to consider their chosen literary work, accompanied by some much-needed refreshments.

Haddstock

We were invited to take part in Haddstock on 30 May 2026.

Organised by ELCAN, the event brought together a day of music, talks and entertainment. We had a stall where we were able to provide information about the garden and make contact with many local people and organisations.

Athelstaneford Village Walking Group

The garden is familiar to many people from our local village, and we were delighted when the Athelstaneford Village Walking Group chose us as a refuelling stop earlier this year.

The group then showed their enthusiasm for the work of our volunteers by hosting a fundraising coffee morning and donating the proceeds to our charity.

Our connection with the walking group is a lovely example of the mutual support we enjoy within our local community.

East Lothian Moth Group

In September 2026, we are planning to host a meeting of the East Lothian Moth Group, organised by Katty Baird, who already has strong connections with the garden.

In October 2023, the Moth Group held their AGM in the garden and they are coming back to enjoy our hospitality again.

We can look forward to some interesting conversations about moths and biodiversity in East Lothian.