TOP entertainer Bruce Forsyth has passed on congratulations to enthusiasts who have transformed a wasteland at Oldmeldrum into a community amenity.
Volunteers have created a garden near an entrance to the town.
Next week the garden will be officially unveiled.
It is named after William Forsyth, one of the historic burgh’s most famous and green-fingered citizens.
In a twist, it emerged during research that he is also the great-great-great-great-grandfather of evergreen television celebrity Brucie.
The 80-year-old games show legend will be unable to attend opening of the William Forsyth Community Garden, but he has wished everyone attending the event “a fantastic time . . . and hopefully good weather”.
The community garden has been named after the horticulturist who also gave his name to the plant Forsythia.
Born at Oldmeldrum in 1737, William Forsyth became one of the leading gardeners of his time.
He moved to London and was one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society and chief superintendent to George III’s palace gardens.
The opening ceremony — at 10am in South Road a week on Saturday — will be performed by another television personality – and Oldmeldrum resident – Jim McColl, of BBC Television’s Beechgrove Garden.
The new garden, which provides panoramic views across Garioch towards Barra Hill and Bennachie, was first flagged up as a means of marking the 2005 centenary of Rotary.
Oldmeldrum Rotary Club and Oldmeldrum Amenities Group teamed up to create the Meldrum Community Garden Project, which is a registered charity.
Project member Andrew McCartney said: “It has been a real community effort, involving all ages and everyone from church members to youth organisations.
“What was a bit of an eyesore is now an attraction.”
