University of St Andrews Receives High Praise for Donation Supporting Fife Horticulture Project

A project set up to promote horticulture, heritage, arts, and education at Cambo Estate in Fife’s East Neuk has been reaping the benefits of a donation from the University of St Andrews Community Fund.

Cambo Heritage Trust’s Compost Club – which offers adults and young people the chance to volunteer and gain valuable work experience at the same time – was awarded £1800 for its efforts to reduce or reuse waste positively around the gardens.

Since it was launched the Compost Club has developed to include the creation of a ‘dead hedge’ in the children’s play area that promotes biodiversity; composted all green waste from the café including coffee grounds, tissues, and paper towels; and established ‘no dig’ beds in the vegetable garden with waste cardboard and homemade compost.

Speaking on a visit to see the work of Cambo Heritage Trust for herself, University Principal Professor Dame Sally Mapstone said: “The work that the Trust is doing to reduce or repurpose waste is so important. Not only is the Trust helping to tackle the impact of human activity on the planet, but they are doing so by encouraging the local community to get involved with imagination and creativity.”

Cambo Heritage Trust Managing Director Keri Ivins said that thanks to the grant from the University Community Fund the site now boasts a huge compost heap that will help sustain projects growing vegetables, plants, and flowers.

She said: “The St Andrews University Community Fund is a great initiative to support local organisations. We have been able to develop volunteering opportunities and climate-friendly programmes around our site thanks to support from the fund.”

Keri added: “We have enjoyed working with pupils from Bell Baxter High School and Waid Academy on various projects around Cambo Gardens and will continue with these initiatives in the future.”