Work has begun on a derelict site in Croft Lane, Blairgowrie. The project - called Meeting Point - will transform this unused space into a landscaped garden and  meeting place for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Work will include drystone walls and fencing, a new surface, seating, raised planters and pergolas. Led by local resident Tom Caldow for Blair in Bloom, volunteers will help by planting out the new garden.

Local youth group Strathmore Centre for Youth Development (SCYD) will add the finishing touch in the spring with a unique, new work of art which they will create themselves. SCYD members will use the new garden for youth forums and will help Blair in Bloom to take care of it in future.
In addition to funds raised locally by Blair in Bloom volunteers, and donated by the Take a Pride in Perthshire Association, the project is part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Tayside LEADER 2007-2013 Programme and Perth and Kinross Council’s Rural Initiatives Fund.

Blair in Bloom Chair Helen McCann said: “We are delighted that the project is going ahead 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.”

Contact: Zoë Gamble, Project Development Adviser, Take a Pride in Perthshire Association. M: 07799 066099 E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FURTHER INFORMATION:

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