Dunblane in Bloom

Historical Background Thanks Sandy; bloomin’ marvellous!

It’s 12 years since Sandy Mackay set up Dunblane in Bloom; DDT’s

first volunteer working group. The original 8 display containers

have grown to 124 barrels, troughs and baskets distributed

around the town.

As well as taking over the flower beds on the Perth Road at Smithy Loan and the High Street roundabout from the Council, the Coronation Garden at Mill Row has been regenerated and the Community & Rock Gardens down by the river created

Since 2012 a sponsorship scheme has been supported by many Dunblane individuals and organisations, providing funding for raised beds opposite the Dunblane Centre and other projects.

People are the key resource although the volunteers are also that bit older; some are septuagenarians or, as Sandy likes to call them, “scented geraniums”.

DIB can justifiably claim to have been the catalyst for neighbouring communities to follow our example. But, if your fantastic community displays are to flourish, we need more “younger” volunteers.

Sandy retired as DIB leader in 2014 and passed the “trowel” on to George Matthews.

Supporting Resources

As a working group within DDT we have a polytunnel and an outside storage area in donated space at Ashfield and we are custodians of the van and trailer; all essential resources for carrying out our work

FES Windfarm Fund Obelio-Scotrail Ian Robb, Ashfield Rotary Club Stirling Council McLean & Stewart Northend Garage Richard Stirling-Aird Newton Primary School Robert Paul, Architect

Grateful thanks for financial and material support are due to:

Community Pride Fund Choices Delicatessen Bennetts the Butchers John Crook Decorating Dunblane Sports Club Neroli Beauty Salon Graham Stewart, Silversmith Dunblane Gardening Club Old Churches House Dunblane Scout Group

Beech Road Bed

Bed opposite Dunblane Centre

Smithy Loan bed

Dual Carriageway

Flower displays attract very useful community sponsorship from groups and individuals

Watering in the summer requires frequent commitment from volunteers

Our longer term strategy is to replace barrels with planter boxes

Station Barrels

Future aspirations & challenges for 2017

1. Planning maintenance of the new planters on the bridge and in the station area

2. Renovating of the Community Garden

3. Replacing wall containers with more easily managed ground display

4. Continue with the current strategy for:

– replacing barrels with planter boxes – a greater mix of permanent and annual plants. – wider plant varieties to meet changing climate conditions – spreading planting work more evenly over the year

5. Updating Heath & Safety procedures

DIB Team leader George Matthews