Council cutbacks no bar to Dufftown quest for floral glory

Dufftown is one of six communities in the UK being considered for a Britain in Bloom ‘best kept large village’ award.

Judges from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) were out and about on the streets of the town on Tuesday to check on the community who came to the fore last year when winning the Keep Scotland Beautiful competition.

“The square could not look better than it does at the moment,” Alistair MacDonald, the chair of Dufftown in Bloom said, adding: “It has taken hundred of hours to prepare.

“We have had it all to do ourselves since Moray Council no longer supports us due to cutbacks, so I would like to thank everyone in the community who has helped.

“Even being nominated to take part is a tremendous honour for Dufftown.”

A delegation from the town will travel to Bristol later this year to learn the results of the competition.

Secretary of the local group, Anne Fraser, said: “This is a real opportunity for us to show off what you can do with a small band of dedicated folk who want to make a difference.”

The town is currently running a flower festival at Mortlach Kirk to commemorate the centenary of World War I and a celebration of the Commonwealth Games.

This will end with a concert on Friday by local choral group Bel Canto, who will perform a mixture of classical and Scottish music between 2pm and 4pm.

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