Culter in Bloom

Planting pride in the community

The Britain in Bloom (BIB) Report Remember what you felt when you got your first report card at school? Was it pride, disappointment, or maybe even fear? The Culter in Bloom team recently got a first "report card" on behalf of the village from a Britain in Bloom judge. We entered Culter in the new "Large Neighbourhood" (over 1,000 population) section this year, and in August some of our members hosted a tour of the community by the judge Alistair Barnard, a senior manager in Fife Council Leisure and Recreation department, who gave us an opportunity to "see ourselves as others see us".

So what did Mr Barnard think of Culter? The BIB assessment is in four main sections -

• management and effort including levels of local sponsorship, support and involvement, quality of the floral displays (public and private including residential gardens),

• any more major landscaping projects - and finally

• general environmental quality including the absence of litter, graffiti and flyposting.

In the area of management and effort he noted and praised the generous donations of sponsors, our numerous planting ideas for the future, the close co-operation with the City Council Arts & Recreation Department and the help of many residents, the Rotary Club, Guides and Brownies. The containers and baskets on

North Deeside Road, our bulb planting and the recent wildflower planting on Lover's Walk by the Dee were also appreciated. Mr Barnard was particularly impressed by our old station site and the St Peter's Heritage initiative.

However our overall assessment in the environmental quality section was a "could do better". Our score was reduced by some evidence of vandalism, graffiti or simple wear and tear in our "street furniture", such as litter bins, public seating, signage and bus shelters, and he clearly noted this as a point for improvement by the community. Nevertheless the overall score was a creditable163 points out of 200, the highest of three communities in the Aberdeen area which entered the award scheme. A worthwhile assessment for us - and one with some clear areas where, with some help, we can improve our score next year.

WINTER PLANTING AGAIN

Our summer geraniums and hanging baskets are now sadly just a memory, but polyanthus, tulips and pansies have replaced them in the plant containers on North Deeside Road and at the old station. Aberdeen City Council has fulfilled its promise to plant out the embankment next to the Rob Roy Bridge with bulbs, so we can look forward to a bright display at that corner in the Spring. Not just there though, as our volunteers have been hard at work planting more crocus, daffodil, bluebell and snowdrop bulbs in several different parts of the village including the path to the War Memorial, which should be well worth a visit early next year.

THANK YOU

Finally I'd like to thank all who have helped to make Culter more attractive this year, by supporting us with funds, by adopting trees and baskets, by planting, watering or clearing our containers - not forgetting all those who have planted out and maintained attractive displays in their own front gardens. As the Britain in Bloom report has reminded us, your efforts are every bit as important as ours in creating a "Culter in Bloom".

Erik Stien (Convener) Culter in Bloom

Our picture shows some of our committee members ready to undertake the autumn planting in October - Back Row from the left: Dick Gagel, Christine Mackie, Sandy Cook, Bill Cooper, Tim Ramseyer, John Troup. Front Row, Catherine Lacy, Jean Cook, Jim Farquhar.