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The year at Wellsford Community Gardens ended on a high note on December 11, when a Christmas concert, garden tour and barbecue were held at the School Road site by head gardener and song supremo Andrew McLennan.
The show by Wellsford Primary School students for classmates, staff, family, friends and the wider community provided a much-needed lift for McLennan, following the theft last month of thousands of dollars’ worth of garden machinery and equipment.
The former Coconut Rough and Pop Mechanix singer-songwriter has been restoring the community gardens for the last couple of years, as well as hosting weekly visits and music sessions for a group of school students.
“The concert was a huge hit, we had a full house, the kids were well-rehearsed and sang beautifully,” he said. “After the show, the parents were taken on a guided tour of the garden and the kids did a show-and-tell.
“I’ve never seen so many people enjoying the gardens, the bbq and seeing what goes on here.”
McLennan and the kids also dug deep for fruits and veggies, giving visitors bag-loads of fresh produce to take home.
He said the show, coupled with a rapid community response to replace equipment stolen during the recent raid, was a real boost and he expressed his gratitude to everyone who had responded.
“Thanks to the local community for the rally of support after our recent tribulations. It was heartwarming and faith-restoring to feel the love,” he said.
“Special mention to Civil IQ, Good to GrowNZ, Silverhill Small Engines, Brett Walker, Chris Bright, Stuart Capon and all those who have wished us well. Wellsford rocks!”
