George Matthews - Dunblane in Bloom

DUNBLANE IN BLOOM       

Visitors to Dunblane, and those living there, cannot fail to be delighted by the splashes of colour from the planters and tubs around the town, as well as by the many flower beds and attractive landscaping. All this work is undertaken by Dunblane in Bloom. Last Thursday, George Matthews, Chairman of Dunblane in Bloom, entertained members of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club with an account of the work of this important voluntary organization.

Dunblane in Bloom was formed in 2004. Its underlying aim is to encourage civic pride and community spirit, and to make Dunblane an attractive environment to live in and to visit. It is a vital part of the Dunblane Development Trust, working alongside the Environment Group, which looks after play and other areas in Dunblane, and the Mid-Week Group that maintains the Braeport Centre and does other painting and repairing work around Dunblane.

Members of Dunblane in Bloom meet every Sunday morning throughout the year and some evenings during the summer months. Each year the members plant small plug plants in April.  These produce 2,000 to 3,000 mature plants which are used to plant up flowerbeds, 44 troughs, 16 hanging baskets, 42 barrels – 22 on the railway station – and seven planters.  In addition, members carry out weeding, litter picking and strimming. George estimates that the 25 members work around 5,000 hours per year, with additional help coming from volunteers undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme.

Dunblane in Bloom also carries out specific projects. One such outstanding project was the Rock Garden created from a very overgrown area of ground close to the Faery Bridge. Another scheme revamped the Coronation Garden and also created a peaceful area to provide seating beside the river.

The Group is funded entirely from donations in kind and financial support given by the public, community groups, local businesses and Stirling Council. Valuable support has been given by the gift of a van by local firm, FES, and a donation from the wind farm.

Quite apart from the pleasure Dunblane in Bloom’s work gives to everyone on a daily basis, the rail operator reports that attractive stations increase the number using public transport; while another positive outcome is a reduction in vandalism. But not all is blooming: an ageing population, and the increase in retirement age, has created difficulty in recruitment of members, and grants are harder to obtain. However, it is hard to believe that, given the obvious enthusiasm, this work will not continue.

Alasdair Mackie, Speaker’s Host, congratulated George on the success of Dunblane in Bloom, and thanked him for his interesting talk.

Members welcomed a visitor, David Johnson, who had been impressed by the evidence of the work of the Club as seen on the Club’s website – www.dunblanerotary.co.uk  and its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary.