This project is almost complete and is due to open officially in early June to coincide with the local Strathmore Arts Festival. It has succeeded in its aim to transform a once derelict local eyesore in Croft Lane, Blairgowrie into an attractive landscaped meeting place. Local youth group Strathmore Centre for Youth Development (SCYD) will add the finishing touch with a unique, new work of art which they will create themselves with the help of specially appointed artist. Thier young members are already using the garden for their Youth Forums and will help Blair in Bloom to take care of it in future. Plants have been purchased and are being cared for by local resident Tom Caldow for Blair in Bloom, until the weather improves sufficiently and they can be planted with help of other volunteers.

Local electricial contractor Ian Milne has kindly provided and installed free of charge (as a donation to the project) electric cabling so that the tree located on the site can be lit up.  Perth and Kinross Council have also agreed to undertake improvement works to the surrounding pavements and this work will be take place over the next few weeks.

As well as local funding from Blair in Bloom, Strathmore Centre for Youth Development and the Take a Pride in Perthshire Assocation, the project is part financed by Perth and Kinross Council Rural Initiatives and by the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Tayside LEADER 2007-2013 Programme.  The total cost is approximately £17000.

Blair in Bloom Chair Helen McCann said: “We are delighted with what has been achieved so far and hope residents will enjoy our  beautiful, peaceful new garden in the town centre and also that the project will help to start other improvement works in this area”

Dr Karen McDonnell, Acting Chair of Take a Pride in Perthshire said “we would like to thank Perth & Kinross Council, Rural Tayside LEADER Local Action Group and Blair in Bloom for funding this project which will enhance Blairgowrie and is an excellent example of what people can do for their local community.”

SCYD is an innovative, award winning, young person led centre in Blairgowrie which provides information and services for young people aged 12-25 throughout Eastern Perthshire.  SCYD Young People run various programmes and activities including Strathmore Local Youth Forum and are involved in many community based projects and activities including gardening at the Adult Resource Centre, stewarding parades, litter picks, regeneration projects and a SCYD Young Person is now Vice Chair of One Voice Committee.

Rural Tayside LEADER is part of the Scottish  Rural  development  programme and  focuses on supporting  small scale, innovative  community  driven projects that  tackle local  development  objectives and  benefit the community. The programme is  funded  by the  Scottish  Government and the  European  Commission. Match  funding comes from the public and  private sector and  community  groups. For more information see www.ruraltaysideleader.com