Cross full of floral colour Craigie looking much brighter

Craigie Cross has become a sea of colour thanks to the local community and greenfingered volunteers.

Beautiful Perth has been working with the businesses around the Fair City focal point to install an array of flowers and new benches.

It’s the continuation of a community-spirited drive which got under way last year with Christmas lights giving trees at the Cross a suitably festive feel.

The project was put together by Chic Doogan from the Abbotsford Bar, Hazel Fraser from Hazel’s Flower House, Pete Chan from China China and Michael Clark from The Fish and Chip Company, who also waters the flowers on a daily basis.

Chic said: “It started off with the South Perth Economic Partnership, we have regular meetings in the Abbotsford.

“We are doing little things with Pete, Hazel and Michael to put together ideas and we came up with putting up Christmas lights last year to brighten the place up. We had a big fundraiser which was a huge success.

“Beautiful Perth got involved this year and gave us the planters. One of the benches we have put in is to commemorate Gus Harris, who died last year.

“It really has increased the atmosphere here and Craigie Cross deserves something like this to brighten things up.”

John Summers, chairman of Beautiful Perth, said the group was keen to get involved after the success of putting up Christmas lights last year in Craigie.

He said: “We got involved because the community did so well with the Christmas lights last year and there is great interest in the area.

“We thought we would add to their efforts by providing the planters and two tubs at the side and we got them planted up earlier in the summer.

Once they have gone we will then put winter flowers in, we are in this for the long run now.”

Monica Struaghan, treasurer of Beautiful Perth, says Perth was only able to win a national title at the Beautiful Scotland awards – presented on Thursday last week at a ceremony in Fife – because of projects like the one in Craigie.

She explained: “We got the [Beautiful Scotland] gold medal in the large town category. Perth did well at the awards, and it is because of projects like this, that’s why we do so well.”

Councillor Bob Band, who represents Craigie as ward councillor for Perth City South, added: “I consider Craigie to be a village because of the community spirit in this area. It is great for Beautiful Perth to put these beautiful flowers in to complement the work of the local community.”

A fundraising quiz night is being held at the Abbotsford on Friday, September 22, in aid of the Christmas lights.