Forfar gardening group praised for outstanding efforts

Councillor Lynne Devine (right) is pictured at the Zoar wildflower meadow with fellow Forfar in Flower member Susan Norris.

Forfar in Flower received that grade in the organisation’s It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme, the assessment for which also commended Forfar Action Network for its mural project, which saw 12 artworks applied across the town.

Forfar in Flower was established in 2013 after cost-cutting by Angus Council led to a reduction of its parks maintenance and garden services. The group’s volunteers then took responsibility for developing, enhancing and maintaining several sites across the town.

From walkways to roundabouts, parks and public buildings, the volunteers, which number around 10, are involved in creating a clean and colourful welcome to the town, with well-kept planters and hanging baskets gracing public spaces around the town centre.

They are backed up by a wider group of occasional volunteers as well as the Forfar Men’s Shed and the group was praised for its strong connection with local businesses, some of which have taken on the care of planters near them or sponsor them in other ways.

Their planting choices also came in for commendation.

The report said: “Pollinator-friendly plants across the town are attracting huge numbers of bees. It was pleasing to see a number of butterflies too.

“The group have made excellent plant choices across all their areas. The right plants in the right places.

"A huge project at the Zoar, which is on one of the main approach roads into Forfar, has resulted in the most dramatic display of wildflowers.”

Councillor Lynne Devine, who established the group shortly after becoming a councillor, said she was delighted with the award. She has also been involved with FAN’s mural project.

She said: “We're a very small group but have taken responsibility for many parts of the town that the council wasn’t able to to care for, such as the Boyle Park and the entrance to the country park.

"The council were also giving up on the likes of the hanging baskets and we couldn't let that happen. Forfar needed brightening up, and we’re just really pleased.”