A PENSIONER has poured her heart and soul into building a fairy garden for children and families in Balloch.
Retired Carole Blunt has dedicated the last two decades to transforming an overgrown and disused area in Red Fox Drive into a magical haven for children and families to write letters to fairies and visit their tiny homes.
The 74-year-old previously packed up and left her small town in Birmingham where she used to make Cindy and Barbie clothes to enjoy a new life beside the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, so she could focus on her one true love - gardening.
Carole's son, Dean, told the Reporter: "My mum just packed up and left everything. She is a fantastic sewer and used to make all these little clothes for the dolls which were then sold on across the country.
"She should have got it patented because she could have been huge, but she decided to follow her heart and move to Scotland.
"She is a very keen gardener and does all the greenery around her area. She volunteers to do the holiday lets near her because she just loves it.
"Over 20 years ago there was land near her home that was overgrown and it was just an eyesore. It was like the place was made for her because that is where the magic began.
"The Fairy Glen was then created from a labour of love. She has put her heart and soul into it.
"She cleared the whole area before putting in flowers, benches and little decorations to brighten the place. She has truly worked a miracle on it."
Carole has even made friends from her hard work after a neighbour who admired the scenery was introduced by Dean.
Now the pair meet up regularly for tea and a chat.
Dean also explained that his two sons - Jakob and Jenson - have fond memories of helping their grandmother with the garden from using the mini dart-board to reading all of the fairy notes.
The 50-year-old added: "There are little activities for local children to do. They can go along with parents and grandparents to read stories, but also there is a little notepad and pen to leave messages for the fairies.
"It is incredible because the younger kids think it is all real. My two boys have grown up in that garden making incredible memories. We always talk about it because it is a huge part of their life. My 11-year-old would always check the fairy box for letters and read them with his nan. It is just as important for them as it is for me.
"Over the last 20 years, she has saved all of those fairy notes and put them in a keepsake book. Some of the messages are wonderful but equally heart-wrenching."
He continued: "People really enjoy going down there to enjoy peace and quiet. My mum has met so many people over the years who love having a chat about the flowers and the garden has made the community home for her.
"I am just so proud of her for doing this. She never asks for anything in return, so I thought it was time to give her the well-deserved limelight.
"She has achieved so much and I think 'how does she do it?'"
Dean now wants to encourage the local community to pay a visit to write a letter to the fairies, especially ahead of the summer.
He said: "I think it is so important to have the small things like this in local communities because it brings them together, especially since Covid.
"It is a great spot for people to sit by the river and admire the view or for families to enjoy. I would recommend it to anyone."
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