Many people in the village asked us if there was something we could do to make the village look brighter and greener. Hanging baskets and tub planters were suggested and that’s exactly what we did!
Plean in Bloom is a subcommittee of Plean’s Voice and we have 13 members – we keep in touch via a Whatsapp group. 4 of our Plean in Bloom ladies choose the flowers for the tubs and the baskets during both the Summer and Winter months.
We now have over 44 hanging baskets on display throughout the summer 3 planters and 18 tubs in place all year round. We have discovered several horticultural experts among us and we expect the variety and impact factor to get even better as we go on.
By far the hardest aspect of the floral displays is keeping them watered during the hot weather. We have a rota – based on the Whatsapp group and the bigger the group becomes the easier it will be for everyone taking part. Even if you are only able to help once or twice over the summer that will help. Being on the Whatsapp group will mean that you will know when there is a gap in the rota and your help would be most needed.
It has been wonderful to hear all the positive comments from the village, and beyond, and the help we have received has been fantastic. Three local businesses in particular have provided invaluable help with equipment and plants, we would like to specifically thank:
Old Plean Roofing, Realm Engineering and Torwood Garden Centre; we would also like to thank Stirling Council Land Services for their support.
Vice-chair and organiser of Plean in Bloom, Robert Jack said: “We wanted to build on what was achieve last year and we extended the hanging baskets along the Main Street. We have bought 30 self water baskets to help with their maintenance, this means they should only need watered every two-three days.
Realm Engineering supplied the column mounted brackets while Old Plean Roofing supplied a battery operated watering trolly, complete with a telescopic lance and a 50litr water tank.
In the face of council budget cuts Plean’s Voice has been asked to take on the management of our war memorial and we are working hard at providing something that offers an uplifting appearance that reflects our gratitude to our fallen. A team of volunteers planted geraniums, lobelia and cordyline in the gardens surrounding the war memorial at Loanfoot Gardens.
Vice Chair Robert Jack Said: “We felt it was important to the village that we should honour our fallen heroes. They gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can live our lives today. The least we can do is tend the gardens in their honour”
A Just Giving campaign and a sponsored walk was organised to help fund the planting and over £1000 was raised – beating the £810 target. The remaining money had gone towards Plean in Bloom for the hanging baskets.
Thank you to Robert Hamilton from Forever After Memorials for carrying out the restoration work on the war memorial. Robert and his family live in the village and was very keen to give something back, especially something as important to our community as the War Memorial. Thank you also to Fiona Scott Team Leader of Stirling council Compliance & Property Management Department. Stirling Council are the custodian of the War Memorial and have given a substantial grant towards the cost.
