Budding success for green group
A new era is blooming for a popular green-fingered Strathaven group.
For the past 17 years, Strathaven in Bloom (SIB) have been filling planters and taking on regular clean-ups, as well as sprucing the town up before annually entering the Keep Scotland Beautiful Awards.
The group decided last year to call it a day after a dwindling numbers of helpers in recent years.
However, after months of work, three new faces have saved the organisation and their aim is to enter the Keep Scotland Beautiful Awards once again – with the deadline in April.
Chairman Robin Miller, secretary Ken Kendall-Ball, and treasurer Linda Cameron have taken over the reigns for the year ahead.
Robin and his wife Judy moved to Strathaven in August 2014 after almost 20 years in South Africa, and fell in love with the green landscape of the town.
He now hopes to keep this going through the community group.
“When we first visited Strathaven in 2014,”he said, “we fell in love with it.
“Everyone was so friendly to Joy and me and we really appreciated how pretty it looked with all the flowers and plants.
“I’ve only just learned that Strathaven in Bloom had been serving the community since 2001, so it was quite an upset when I found out that SIB might be closing for lack of committee members.
“It didn’t take too long to think it over and I’d like to thank God for the opportunity to be part of the new Strathaven in Bloom committee. We’re looking forward to serving Strathaven and doing our part to keep it beautiful.”
Ken has always had an interest in gardening, and hopes to use this experience across the town.
He continued: “My father was a keen gardener and I have followed in his footsteps to become an enthusiastic amateur.
“My own garden reflects my love for colour and the links to my past.
“When the opportunity arose to serve our adopted town through Strathaven in Bloom, I was eager to do so. As we have been welcomed by the residents of Strathaven so my goal is to continue to foster that welcoming spirit with a kaleidoscope of colourful flowers this upcoming season.
“The previous team has done so much to make Strathaven beautiful and we all owe them a huge thank you. It is the ambition of the new team to continue the fine work of our predecessors.”
Linda, who has lived in the town for over 30 years, immediately responded to the SIB call-to-action and now hopes to take the group forward.
She said: “When my husband informed me that he had noticed a sign in the town urgently asking for SIB volunteers I decided that I would like to get involved and went along to help – armed with my watering can.
“However, I was dismayed to hear that there was a real danger the group might not continue so I decided that I would like to help in any way I could.
“As treasurer, I am very much looking forward to being part of the new team and I am excited about the challenges ahead.
“I trust we will be able to build on the great work that has been done by SIB over the previous 16 years and help an expanding Strathaven continue to be an attractive place to live.”