WORK IS well under way in creating a garden to commemorate murdered Tayport teenager Karen Dewar.

It is hoped the memorial garden—themed using Karen’s favourite colour of lilac—will be complete in mid-October.

Contractors had been due to arrive on site on Monday but were able to start early and have already cleared the site and laid topsoil.

This will allow planting to begin with the help of horticulture students from Elmwood College in Cupar where the 16-year-old was studying before she was killed by Colyn Evans in January 2005.

Karen’s murder left the Fife community stunned and it was decided something should be done to ensure her memory lived on.

A campaign was launched to raise money for the garden and Councillor Maggie Taylor, who co- ordinated it, said she was delighted that work to make it a reality had been able to start early.

Karen’s father Frank paid tribute to the many people who had played their part in raising more than £40,000 for the permanent reminder of his daughter.

He said, “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people.

“The garden will be for Karen’s friends and family to remember her by.”

It is expected the garden, opposite Tayport post office in Castle Street, will become a popular and contemplative spot for people to relax.

Lesley Cunningham, parks development adviser at the Botanic Gardens, St Andrews, has helped Frank and wife Allison design the garden and choose plants and trees.

Newburgh artist Gail van Heerden has been commissioned to create a sculpture for the garden, entitled Free Spirit, which is inspired by Karen’s love of horses.

The Elmwood students have also been involved in the design stage and are helping with work on site, and children at Tayport Primary School were asked to produce drawings of their perception of Tayport, which will be used to embellish the fence.

Councillor Taylor said, “The garden will be somewhere nice and quiet where people will be able to think about Karen.”

Since the fund-raising appeal was launched last October donations have flooded in and individuals, groups and organisations have held countless events to generate money.

Fife Environment Trust granted £25,000.