Musician Shelagh McKay Jones backs food-growing project

The well-known singer songwriter took part in a week-long festival organised by the Inverclyde Community Food Network.

It is a cause close to her heart as she is a volunteer at the Drying Green outdoor project at South West Library in Greenock and a committed eco-campaigner.

She performed her own song to entertain children at the branch, where the area's first seed library was launched and thriving outdoor area is located.

The event was one of many activities taking place around the area as part of potato week, held annually to celebrate spring.

Shelagh said: "The Drying Green is ten minutes from my door and I think it is a fantastic place. I have been a volunteer here for the last year.

"The Drying Green has a very calm, free and easy atmosphere, it is very therapeutic. I took a couple of beds myself to grow rhubarb.

"Being outdoors in spaces like this is so important for people's wellbeing. So I was delighted to get involved with the children at South West Library for potato week.

"I wrote my Drying Green Potato Song, performing it on the day with help from Julie Anson from the food network and volunteer Barry Harper."

The Greenock singer, who has performed at the Edinburgh Festival and toured the country, also recently took part in the Big Clyde Beach Clean Picnic at Lunderston Bay. Nature and the environment has increasingly become an inspiration for Shelagh's work.

She added: "It was always important to me, but I was commissioned by Rig Arts to work on material for COP 26 and since then it has opened my eyes. "

Inverclyde Community Food Network, run by Julie Anson and Alice Paul, works with all seven community gardens in the district.

The busy team also recently visited Branchton Community Centre's gardening club to help them get started for spring, inviting families along and plant potatoes.