Duntocher Flower Power

If you go down to Duntocher today, you’re sure for big surprise, if you go down to Duntocher today you’ll hardly believe your eyes…

Itʼs true… those of us who live here can hardly believe our eyes.

Our village has been transformed for the better: we have flowers and plants everywhere you look: bright, colourful and uplifting…

The village feels much more cheery and friendly.

It feels loved.

And itʼs all thanks to two business owners who already invested in Duntocher by opening their business here: Anne-Marie Fitzpatrick, from the Ironing Station and Suzie McSwiggan from Gingerbread Dreams gift shop and their band of helpers: Hugh Hassan or Hassy (as he is widely known in the village) and Steven Maxwell who waters the many planters lovingly arranged on Main Street.

Anne Marieʼs mum, Kath Stewart, is justifiably proud of her daughter and of Suzie.

“The place is beautiful”, says Kath. “Iʼve never seen Duntocher look so beautiful”

I have to agree… neither have I!

Community in Love

Kath is not alone in her praise.

“The reaction has just been amazing,” beams Anne Marie.

“Folks in Duntocher absolutely LOVE it. They have popped into both our shops and left Suzie and I donations for the flowers…she smiled.

“Itʼs magic. Itʼs brought the whole community together.”

Suzie explains: “Itʼs not just ladies who love it. An old man gave me a donation just this morning and thanked me… but itʼs a real team effort, we couldnʼt have done it without Hassy and Steven.

“It all started with the flower towers which we asked the council to bring down from the top of Chapel Road as they were full of weeds.

“We planted our first tower up and Anne Marie and I bought this giant container ourselves and put it between our two shops… it all snowballed from there.”

Anne Marie tells me Douglas McAllister, our local MP, has been very supportive and has helped them locate a third flower tower for Davies Square:

“Councillor William Rooney has also been instrumental in helping us procure some litter bins for the main street.”

Flower power was a movement in the Sixties: members campaigned for peace and love and harmony…

Here in Duntocher, flower power has just grown and grown.

Anne Marie says: “From the original planter by Suzie and me, it has spread right along Main Street.

“Look! We have flowers on the railings, hanging baskets, window boxes…weʼve managed to get most of the other businesses on board.

“Weʼd really love to get everyone involved though…”

I look along the street.

As far as the eye can see, there are flowers. Quite a sight!

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Anne Marie credits Suzie for knowing exactly what to plant and the artistic arrangement of plants.

“I enjoy it… ” Suzie says.

“Especially us all working together.

“Two ladies, Patricia and Angela, who did some weeding at the Queen Mary Building, suggested a bench there so we actually have two benches now… and people are stopping to sit and take photos.”

I ask about the pots lining the staircase down to the Fore Park.

Suzie says: “Oh youʼve noticed those. Theyʼre new. Theyʼve only just been done.

“Itʼs hydrangeas. Theyʼll come up every year.

“Some of the planters have perennial plants in them… do you see that Acer over there? Itʼs gorgeous and we can underplant it with bedding plants.”

 I smile to hear that plans are afoot for the future: they want to do Christmas tree square in Old Street and to paint those railings (someone was already doing this as the magazine went to press).

“We have a big responsibility, “states Anne Marie seriously.

“We need to keep it going, thereʼs no going back now …maybe we can appeal for some volunteers and more donations… ”

As I leave Anne Marie, the flowers smile back at me.

Duntocher has always had a big heart but these flowers show the very heart of Duntocher is still beating on…