Branching Out Ltd
 
 
  
 
 
 
 

 
History
           
1997          
           
   

Early in January 1997, Parklea Association 'Branching Out' Ltd was formed. A piece of undeveloped ground at the Parklea Playing Fields in Port Glasgow was leased from Inverclyde Council, with the purpose of providing a horticultural training centre for adults and young people with learning difficulties, special needs or thoses with a physical disability.

           
A large plastic polytunnel was erected on site as well as a small glasshouse, where Parklea Associations first annual bedding plants were grown by the centres many service users.
         

 

1998          
         

 

   

In 1998 Parklea Association’s largest glasshouse was purchased from Erskine Hospital. The glasshouse stands at 35,000 square feet, and is still an integral part of the Parklea project.

         

 

Along with the glasshouse, block paving was purchased and a path was established around the outside of the glasshouse. A new lawn measuring 27 yards by 12 yards was also set up at the lower end of the project.

 

In 1998 a total of 18,500 bedding plants were grown by Parklea Association’s service users.

         

 

1999        

 

           
           
         

 

2000          
           
   

The highlight of 2000 was Parklea Association first participation in the Gourock Horticulture Societies Annual Show, which resulted in the awards of three 1st place prizes, five 2nd place and one 3rd place prize for the John G Bell Rose Bowl for the best rose exhibit in that section. Favourable comments were made by the judges regarding the quality of the plant material

on show, and the President of the society visited Parklea to present the Service Users with a certificate of merit from the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.

There was also development work carried out on new areas of the grounds, which is always on going.