Hard-working volunteers have raised over £500 towards improving a garden at a railway station in Cardross.

Cardross Community Organic Garden (COG) hosted its first 'Open Garden' day last Saturday by having a plant and bric-a-brac sale and allowing people to see the improved area.

The group shared its delight on social media after raising £539.47 - which will be used on other garden projects for the station -  and thanked the villagers for their ongoing support.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The volunteers have thanked the community for their ongoing supportThe volunteers have thanked the community for their ongoing support (Image: Cardross COG)

In March 2022, a group of enthusiastic volunteers took on the unused and overgrown areas around Cardross Railway station and transformed them.

Working under ScotRail's volunteer programme "Adopt a Station", the group started with only 10 volunteers and since then, the number has doubled. 

Helensburgh Advertiser: One of the brick planters before work started on itOne of the brick planters before work started on it (Image: Cardross COG)

They have improved the area in the car park, along the embankments and on the platforms to give the community a display that is packed full of colourful flowers, seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Now the planters are filled with lovely seasonal flowersNow the planters are filled with lovely seasonal flowers (Image: Cardross COG)

Jane Connolly, one of the volunteers, told the Advertiser: "Over the past 14 months our volunteers have worked determinedly with the goal of transforming the station including platforms, car park and embankments back to beautiful and productive spaces making our station prestigious again.

"We have produced a lovely place to wander along, appreciating the flowers and edible produce, and given our station uses a welcoming, pleasant, and enjoyable experience. Feedback positively suggests station users and those from the wider community have an increasing sense of pride in the station.

"Our former beautiful station has returned and is truly growing."

COG are part of Cardross CAN meaning they are learning to garden together only using organic methods that benefit the people, planet and plants.

The group has weekly meet-ups on Wednesdays between 10-11am, Fridays between 3-4pm and the first Saturday of every month between 10am and noon, where volunteers can attend when available.

No previous garden experience is required and the group welcomes anyone of any age and capability.

Anyone interested in getting involved is asked to email CardrossCOG@gmail.com or find out more information on its Facebook page.