Businesses keep Gretna blooming

The six flower tubs in Central Avenue were at risk of being removed after Dumfries and Galloway Council announced a £60,000 savings option to their grounds maintenance budget earlier this year.
And with plans to axe 50 per cent of all council bedding plants across the region, members of Gretna and Rigg Community Council issued an appeal to business owners to step in and help.
All six planters have now been adopted with support from Gretna Flower Basket, Hype Hair and Beauty, Becky’s Barbers, the Co-operative Pharmacy, Bliss Hair and Beauty and community councillor Margaret Clark and her friend Jean Wright.
Community council vice-chairman Harry Barrett says it is a ‘reflection on the times’ that the council are no longer paying for flowers.
However, Annandale East and Eskdale councillor Archie Dryburgh hit back saying 60 per cent of the region’s flowering budget is spent in Annandale and Eskdale.
He added: “It’s not that the council don’t want to do it, we have not got the funding to do it.
“Flowers are not a priority for me when we need to look after the elderly and kids. What else can we cut back?
“I’m always going to look after people and try to get the roads sorted out and flowers are not a big issue on my list.”