The halcyon days

“Like John Stoa,” emails Gordon Croll of Blairgowrie, “I would love to see a return to the halcyon days of horticulture when local authorities planted fabulous displays of bedding plants and when parks and gardens were maintained to a high standard.

“The reality is that financial cuts over several decades have resulted in difficult decisions for councils as education, care etc are more important, despite the fact that it is well known that attractive environments are beneficial for an individual’s wellbeing.

“Visitors expect to see clean and tidy cities, towns and villages, and were it not for the many bloom groups and volunteers, things would be worse.

“John previously wrote about the poor standards and lack of training for gardeners and the impact on public spaces.

“Horticulture has been a lifetime passion for John and myself, and we were both saddened to learn that the horticulture department at the local college has been run down, but as a former manager at the Kingsway campus for horticulture I was fortunate to try and help inspire many students over 30 years, many of whom I bump into from time to time.

“I am busier than ever with my own gardening and landscaping business as there is a huge demand for new layouts and maintenance. As John and I are approaching the end of our gardening careers, you have to wonder where the future trained plants specialists, landscapers and maintainers of parks and gardens will come from.”

“The Earl and Countess of Forfar attended a thanksgiving service in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth in Lowson Memorial Church, Forfar,” says Jim Howie of Broughty Ferry .“This postcard shows the first congregation leaving the church in 1914 after the dedication service. A horse and carriage await some of the worshippers and can be seen in the foreground.”