Garden project takes central role in Rotary celebrations

 

A special event has been held in the Clisham Garden of the Western Isles Hospital.

 

Gillian McCannon, chairperson of the NHS Western Isles Health Board, unveiled the Our Hospital Garden plaque commemorating 60 years of Rotary in Stornoway.

 

Thirteen years ago the Clisham Memory Garden, developed as a safe, therapeutic and friendly space for people with dementia, was opened to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service.

 

For the last three years, the Rotary Club of Stornoway has been rejuvenating the garden to provide a sustainable, low maintenance and eco-friendly green space for patients, staff, visitors and others as part of its Our Hospital Garden project.

 

The day-to-day work is done by Rotarians but none of the development would have been possible without the generous donations and help from many within the community.

 

Gordon Jamieson, NHS Western Isles chief executive, said: 'I am extreme grateful we have this long-term project in the hospital grounds that serves our community.

 

'Sincere thanks to the Rotary Cub, its members, volunteers and those who have donated items, materials and their own time to make this a reality.'

 

Attending the event were long-standing Rotarian and one time chairperson of NHS Western Isles Sandy Matheson, president of the Isle of Lewis Probus Club, Colin Tucker, many of those who had contributed to the project, health board personnel and Rotarians.

 

The Rotary district governor for district 1010 Heather Stuart, on her first trip to Stornoway, had visited the garden the day before the unveiling.

 

Clisham Garden is only part of phase 1 of the Our Hospital Garden project; the creation of a woodland walkway and a wildflower meadow is scheduled for completion by next spring.

 

Main photograph (NO_F49_WIHospitalPlaque_Atendees): Attendees at event.