Galashiels Community Council says flowers would boost town

And they would like to have it done in time to welcome visitors to the new Great Tapestry of Scotland centre.

At Wednesday's meeting of Galashiels Community Council, chairwoman Judith Cleghorn put forward proposals to launch 'Floral Gala'.

She said: "We have got a glorious town here, but we are not making the best of it.

"I think as a town we should aim higher; as high as we can and as high as we deserve.

"I think we should flood the place with flowers by decorating the three bridges, the fences near the old Fiore's restaurant, plant them at Market Square and Channel Street and create a floral tower by Dalgetty’s bakery.

"It will cost a lot of money, but let's make this a place to be proud of – not because the tapestry is coming, but for us... For the people of this town who have had to put up with miserable streets, no flowers and empty shops.”

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Members agreed to take the proposal forward and look at costs.

Secretary Tracey Alder said she was enquiring into whether the community council could become a registered charity.

And regional councillor Harry Scott (Independent) suggested applying for Scottish Government funding.

He said: "You are quite right to aim high.

"The Scottish Government is making more than £100 million available for town regeneration.

"I have not heard all of the details, but there is definitely room for optimism."

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Ms Cleghorn said she hopes the public will get behind the proposed project.

She said: "We can have collection boxes in local shops.

"We could not expect volunteers to take on all of the work, so there would have to be money set aside for contractors.

"If everybody in this town donated just £2 each year, we would have more than enough money to take this forward.

"We have got a blank canvas to work on and I think this could be a very exciting project."