Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow

Clarendon Base

In 2011, Burgh Beautiful successfully secured a site at Clarendon House and obtained Council grants totaling £16,250. These funds were used to establish a work base that included a polytunnel, storage facilities, and nursery beds. Planning permission was granted, and a lease was arranged through the Town Management Group. In 2021, this lease was transferred to Linlithgow Burgh Trust, Burgh Beautiful’s parent organisation. At the outset, the site was little more than a patch of grass and weeds, with semi-derelict outbuildings overgrown with ivy.

The first priority was to make the buildings weatherproof. Following that, a polytunnel and shed were erected to support Burgh Beautiful’s activities, such as planting, storing hanging baskets, making fundraising holly balls, and temporarily storing plants for Linlithgow’s borders and tubs, which are maintained by Burgh Beautiful members.

The next goal was to enhance the biodiversity of the site by adding a beech hedge, pond, rockery, and ornamental beds, many of which were built using recycled materials already present on-site. Original brick paths were uncovered and restored, as retaining the character and features of Clarendon was considered essential to the Burgh Beautiful ethos of improving the environment through horticultural efforts. Today, Clarendon Base is seen as a visually appealing and pleasant place to work and visit.

Planting at Clarendon

Trees from the Woodland Trust have been cultivated in the plant nursery at Clarendon and later planted throughout Linlithgow. Every summer, the base also serves as a place to recycle several hundred polyanthus plants from the winter and spring bedding displays. In 2024, these polyanthus plants were maintained in the nursery to be replanted in the autumn into some of Burgh Beautiful’s hanging baskets and into the ground at Learmonth Gardens and other locations. To minimize waste, members are encouraged to take any additional reusable plants home for care and replanting.

Various other plants, including forget-me-nots, wallflowers, and lupins, have been grown as part of trial experiments. Lupins, in particular, have thrived and now feature prominently in Learmonth Gardens and other areas during late May and throughout June. They also proved popular at Burgh Beautiful’s annual Plant Sale.

In May 2018, a donated greenhouse was reassembled at Clarendon, where cucumber and tomato plants are grown, and seedlings are nurtured. The polytunnel continues to play an important role, especially in May, when it is used to house hanging baskets before they are planted out and hardened off.

Recycling at Clarendon Base

All spent plants from the hanging baskets are recycled in three compost bays, which are constructed from old pallets. The resulting compost is used as mulch for flower beds. Additionally, the planting trays from the bedding plant growers are cleaned and returned for reuse. Many plant pots and trays are reused as well, often finding a second life at the annual Plant Sale.

Organic Practices at Clarendon Base

The site adheres to organic gardening practices, with pest control being managed using garlic-based sprays.

Recent Developments at Clarendon

In October 2016, a new entrance border was created, featuring plants selected for their colour and texture in spring and early summer. Many of these plants were grown from cuttings and seedlings donated by Burgh Beautiful members, demonstrating that new plants can be produced cost-free. This method of propagation is promoted to encourage sustainability, with surplus plants from this border being used in Burgh Beautiful projects or at the annual Plant Sale. An information board has been installed to highlight these efforts.

A bug hotel was constructed using recycled materials, and insect-friendly plants were added nearby. Two benches, donated from the former Annet House Museum garden, were restored by volunteers and now enhance the base. To manage maintenance, wood chips from the Linlithgow and District Allotment Society have been spread to control weeds.

Community Involvement at Clarendon Base

Burgh Beautiful actively engages community and youth groups at Clarendon Base, including university students, scouts, and Duke of Edinburgh award participants. These groups have assisted in a variety of activities, such as the creation of fundraising wreaths each December. The base is also made available to local groups for meetings, and it is usually open to the public during events such as Doors Open Days.

In addition to these activities, Burgh Beautiful successfully secured £2,000 through the Tesco Bags of Help program to replace the original brick paths, which had become unsafe. The new paths meet disabled access requirements, while some of the old bricks have been preserved as edging to retain a link with the site’s history as a nursery garden for Clarendon House.

Clarendon: The Next Phase

Looking forward, Burgh Beautiful aims to further involve the community and youth groups in Linlithgow. Plans are underway to host workshops and horticultural events at the base. Vegetable growing is also being trialed in raised beds made from recycled wood and filled with compost from the site’s compost bays and composted horse manure. Additionally, there are discussions around starting a small gardening club for community groups to further engage local residents.