Politicians work hard on growth

And volunteers are ready to toast their success after 16 weeks of hard work to ensure the show didn’t die out after council chiefs pulled funding.

Jim McColl of the Beechgrove Garden will visit on Friday and Saturday, and attending a Gardeners Question Time on Saturday between noon and 1pm.

Fellow Beechgrove Garden man George Anderson will also join the show on Friday.

Jeff Banning, chairman of the volunteers group, said: “A flower South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has secured the backing of his party leader, Ruth Davidson MSP, for the Ayrshire Growth Deal

Brian and Ruth were joined by new Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Bill Grant for a meeting with senior members of the Ayrshire Growth Deal team.

The Ayrshire Growth Deal is a package of measures designed to boost the Ayrshire economy through big investments in infrastructure and several other projects.

Mr Whittle said: “I’m grateful to Ruth for taking the time to come and hear about the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

“This has the potential to transform the Ayrshire economy in the years to come and I’m delighted to have Ruth on board.

“A lot of people have put a huge amount of work into getting the deal to this point.”

Bill Grant MP added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Ruth to Ayrshire to hear first- hand the good work undertaken by the team.”