AN AMBITIOUS project to fold 1,000 origami cranes at a Wee County attraction has come to a successful conclusion following a year of work.

The Japanese Garden at Cowden has completed the feat as part of its Wishes for Wellbeing project after issuing a call for help at the start of 2023.

The attraction near Dollar, which is a registered charity, is celebrating the achievement with an exhibition in its garden pavilion throughout March, showcasing an art installation of 1,000 cranes, folded by 250 people from 18 different organisations from Clackmannanshire and beyond.

It is also set to feature animated films put together by young people from Ochils Youth Community Improvement and adults from Reach Out with Arts in Mind.

The exhibition provided an opportunity to champion artistic talent in the area, by employing Beverly McNeil – an artist completing a BA(Hons) in art and design with Stirling University – and George Farrow-Hawkins, an animation artist working with Reach Out with Arts in Mind.

Beverly, who created the art installation using all 1,000 cranes, said: “Being given this opportunity has been an incredible journey and process.

“I have met the most amazing people who welcomed me with open arms and have fully immersed themselves in my thought process and creations for this project.

“This has been my first community project and through the camaraderie and kindness these people have shown to me they have set the bar high for any future community projects.”

The project has been rooted in promoting wellbeing by allowing people to learn new skills while bringing them into the garden to enjoy the environment while working together to achieve a common goal.

Those behind it wanted to thank all who took part as well as funders the EDF Burnfoot Hill Community Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund and the High Fraser Foundation.

A special nod of thanks was given to “our wonderful team of volunteers” who were great help in driving the project forwards.

Indeed, one garden volunteer, Ann, embraced the project from the get go, folding as many as 100 cranes to help kick the project off.

Groups taking part included people from Alloa Hub, Alva Academy, Blairlogie SWRI, Coaltown of Balgonie Primary, Dollar Academy's Japanese Club and ESOL group, Dollar Guides, Muckhart Guides, Lundin Mill Primary, Ochils Youth Community Improvement, Park Primary, Play Alloa, Positive Moves, Seamab School, St Bernadette’s Primary, Reach Out with Arts in Mind, Resilience Learning Partnership and Dollar CDT.

The exhibition will run throughout March and is included in the normal ticket price for the garden, visit cowdengarden.com to book.