Blooming Gardeners given a helping hand from the Port of Cromarty Firth
Blooming Gardeners have been given a major funding boost by the Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) to help fund their work in the local community.
A donation of £1,824 from the Port’s Community Sponsorship Programme will help the project to purchase materials such as soil, compost, plugs and flowers which will allow them to produce beautiful planters to be placed in the local area.
The club is one of a number of organisations and projects to benefit from the latest round of funding from the programme, which aims to safeguard and develop Cromarty Firth communities, for the benefit of local people.
Blooming Gardeners Chairperson Fiona Sim said: “The support that Blooming Gardeners has received from the Port of Cromarty Firth enables us to continue to provide meaningful work for our gardeners.”
“We are delighted to play our part in providing beautiful planters to enhance our local environment for both tourists and residents. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with the Port of Cromarty Firth.”
The project has been running for 20 years and is considered vital for both the vulnerable adults and their carers in promoting a safe environment to develop transferable skills in horticulture, reduce social isolation and understand the natural environment.
PoCF Chief Executive, Bob Buskie, said: “The Port takes great pride in seeing the fantastic work that our Community Sponsorship Programme enables others to carry out within the community.”
“The Blooming Gardeners project produces beautiful planters which really brighten up the local high streets and we are delighted to be able to support their talented workers to continue their good work.”
One per cent of the PoCF’s annual surplus is channelled into the Community Sponsorship Programme.
Community projects, schools or local charities based in one of the nine communities that border the Cromarty Firth are welcome to apply for support.
They can do so by submitting an application form stating the project’s objectives, aspirations and the benefits to the community, along with a letter/email of support from their local Community Council.
Projects must be collaborative and meet one of four eligibility criteria:
- Skills development, employability or job creation,
- Vessel crew or passenger support,
- Environmental protection or enhancement,
- Events or projects which encourage inter-community collaboration,
Application forms are available on the Port of Cromarty Firth website or from cfpa@cfpa.co.uk.
