A TEAM of volunteers who dedicate hours of their time to plant colourful flowers in Gullane have brightened up the village with their newest project.

Gullane Bloomers are a dedicated team of seven volunteers – Lorna and Irvine Raeburn, Martin and Fiona Everett, Pat Lee, Jane Little and Rosie Haillay – who meet twice a week to keep the town alive with plants.

The group, which sometimes meets multiple times in one day, washes down seating areas, removes weeds, waters and feeds plants, and brushes up paths on Gullane’s Main Street.

Lorna and her husband Irvine, from Golyn Cottage, Goose Green, created the Gullane Bloomers gardening group in the summer of 2018 with the hope of creating a bright space for people to enjoy on Main Street as the village played host to the Scottish Open golf tournament. Three years later, the team and planters in the village have grown substantially

Over the last year, Gullane Bloomers has focused heavily on the Blue Stane project, after its proposed vision was awarded £4,400 by the National Lottery Community Fund last September.

The project, which was completed only a few weeks ago, took over two years of fundraising and planning to finish.

Lorna said: “It is a very bee-friendly area with lots of sensory and herb plants to encourage insects, butterflies and bees, in keeping with the current initiative to create a bee-friendly garden.

“We have new raised beds, cleared sensory and eco areas, a new path formed, painted planters and a tree seat and shells collected by local children have added to the beach theme.

“We also kept the buddleja as it is known as the butterfly tree, phomis to help the bumblebee, and we have replanted lavender too.”

There are currently 20 hanging baskets, 15 planters, 12 barrels and numerous tier planters on display on the street.

Lorna added: “This project has been possible thanks to the local community and business donations through JustGiving, Co-op funding, the National Lottery Community Fund, East Lothian area partnerships, Gullane Area Community Council and working alongside John and his team at the East Lothian Council amenity department.”

The group recently received a visit from judges for the It’s Your Neighbourhood competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society, with results set to be announced next month.

Lorna added: “We are hoping for a good result as there has been a lot of hard work accomplished in the last year.”

Gullane Bloomers are now seeking a plot of land to grow vegetables and cut flowers as a community venture.

Members have their hearts set on working towards a community garden, with the hope it can evolve into a “future inter-generational” project by working closely with schools across the county.

To donate to Gullane Bloomers, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gullane-bloomers-2