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Public praise for Moray Council team's redesigned floral display at Keith War Memorial


By Lorna Thompson

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A NEW planting layout at Keith War Memorial is making an impression on passers-by.

A redesign of the area was led by two members of Moray Council (east) lands and parks team, acting foreman Steven Taylor and seasonal employee Cherry Donoghue. The team covers an area stretching from Rothiemay to Tomintoul.

For both the project over the last fortnight was their first major redesign assignment.

Steven said he wanted to make it up to Keith after the pandemic had affected the amount of time the team could put in there.

The public appreciation has been satisfying for Gary Andrew, of Moray Council (east) lands and parks, who retires this month and who has been instrumental in assisting wider town improvements led by Keith In Flower.

Gary said: "I gave two of the team leeway to redesign the war memorial and it's looking beautiful.

"People have been really appreciative and stopping to speak to the lads working on it. It's made a real impression this year."

He added: "We've been maintaining the war memorial for years, and it used to get into the Best British War Memorial Garden. That stopped, which was a shame.

"Three years ago all the stonework and brasswork was cleaned and we took all the hedging down so people can see it better as they come past."

(From left) Cherry Donoghue, John Cameron and Steven Taylor, of Moray Council (east) lands and parks, who have been involved in redesigning the planting at Keith War Memorial. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
(From left) Cherry Donoghue, John Cameron and Steven Taylor, of Moray Council (east) lands and parks, who have been involved in redesigning the planting at Keith War Memorial. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Steven and Cherry incorporated a Celtic band and knot in their flower design. Other team members John Cameron, Neil Tulloch and Graham Evans helped with the work, including some hard landscaping changes.

Steven said: "We were looking to create an impact with colour and design, that could also be easily maintained.

"We drew a Celtic band in the red double begonias. We have a purple Celtic knot at the top part in amongst the pink and white begonias, which hasn't really come through yet.

"There has always been a planting plan as such but it's been made up according to which plants we have. This time the design was drawn out with chalk paint on the bed and the plants laid out.

"I'm still finding my feet at designing with Cherry so hopefully we'll carry on to do different designs."

Steven has ideas to redevelop other pockets of the town, including across the road from the memorial, perhaps creating a wetland feature of a boggy area there.

He added: "We couldn't get hold of plants last year with Covid so had to make do with bulbs. And the staff were up against it trying to keep on top of grass-cutting. Doing the war memorial is important but we just didn't have the time last year.

"I wanted to make it up to the people of Keith by trying to do a better job this year when it's been a little bit easier, and we have a few more staff."


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