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 Grateful thanks for financial and material support are due to:

FES Community Pride Fund Windfarm Fund Choices Delicatessen Obelio-Scotrail Bennetts the Butchers Ian Robb, Ashfield John Crook Decorating Rotary Club Dunblane Sports Club Stirling Council Neroli Beauty Salon McLean & Stewart Graham Stewart, Silversmith Northend Garage Dunblane Gardening Club Richard Stirling-Aird Old Churches House Newton Primary School Dunblane Scout Group Robert Paul, Architect

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

Smithy Loan bed

Beech Road Bed

Bed opposite Dunblane Centre Station Barrels

Flower displays attract very useful community sponsorship Dual Carriageway from groups and individuals

Watering in the summer requires frequent commitment from volunteers

Our longer term strategy is to replace barrels with planter boxes 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

DIB Team leader 5. Updating Heath & Safety procedures George Matthews