'Make Elgin beautiful again': Elgin Positive Action Group sees 'epic' turn out in latest outing
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AN 'epic' turnout saw 33 Elgin locals devote their time to cleaning up Elgin Town Hall last Sunday.
The clean-up saw volunteers replace and plant new bulbs in the flower bed next to the hall and remove build ups of moss and dirt from the surrounding area. Other volunteers litter picked around Cooper Park and Lady Hill.
Elgin Positive Action Group (PAG) organised the outing with the aim of making 'Elgin beautiful again' to raise community spirits and bring people together for a common good.
The session pulled many established Elgin businesses and groups together. Bulbs. gardening tools and a host of volunteers were contributed by Moray Council, Elgin Rotary, Elgin BID, Moray College, Elgin Town Hall, Moray Waste Busters, Decora, Elgin Men's Shed and Greenfingers.
Sarah Barber, the group's treasurer, thanked the volunteers for their help on Sunday.
She said: "We'd like to send our heartfelt thanks to the 33 intrepid volunteers that braved the wind to come out and help on Sunday.
"They showed that everyday folk can come together and be the change we need in a time where everything seems to be getting a little grey."
PAG started small in November last year when Sarah and Rhian Russell started litter picking sessions around Cooper Park. The pair's goal was to inspire others to to do the same to make Elgin 'pretty again'.
They've gone from strength to strength over the past year adding three new members including Paul Hay who has become the 'face of the group' on Facebook generating a healthy following of 1200 people to date.
Carlie Beavan, one of the group's secretaries, has been charged with developing a 'big vision' for the group's future. She says that plans are already in place but was hesitant to reveal them.
Carlie said: "We've got plenty of plans but it's early days yet so we're keeping that fairly secret at the moment. We would tell people to just keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.
"We're always open to ideas from locals for improvements for the future so I would encourage anyone to get in touch with us with their ideas."
Sarah added: "Without the collective efforts of loyal dedicated volunteers who give up their time and continue to do so, we would not be able to do what we do. It is our motto to 'quit gurning and get it done' and this sums up our ethic.
"It is an honour to serve Elgin and our fellow residents and we hope to meet many more in future events.
"Let's be the change we want to see in the community."
The group can be reached on their Facebook page: Positive Action Group, or they can email pagelgin@outlook.com.
