CUSTOMERS in Galashiels have raised more than £1,000 to help keep the town looking beautiful.

Shoppers visiting Alex Dalgetty and Sons Bakery, in Bank Street, have generously been putting donations into buckets on the shop’s counter to help Gala in Bloom.

The money raised goes towards bringing colour to Galashiels in gardens and planters all around the town.

Last week Craig Murray, who owns the bakery, handed over a cheque for £1,038 to Galashiels Community Council chairwoman Judith Cleghorn.

Mr Murray said: “People appreciate all the hard work volunteers put into the garden.”

In 2021 around £900 was raised by customers from Dalgetty’s.

A spokesperson from Gala in Bloom said: “The Gala in Bloom group, plus other volunteers, including the Ex Braw Lad and Lasses and Girl Guides, have put the colour back into the town with annual planting again being introduced in Bank Street Gardens, Old Gala House, Tapestry Way, Douglas Bridge river walk, War Memorial, Sir Walter Scott and Burns statues, Gala Aisle, station platform/Interchange and town signs.”

In 2019, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) announced that it would no longer maintain flowerbeds in the region which led to a number of community groups coming forward to takeover planting and watering duties.

Gala in Bloom, which is a sub-group of the community council, has also received additional funding and support from other organisations around the town and wider Borders region.

These include: The Hayward Sanderson Trust; The Gray Sanderson Trust; The Glenpark Trust; Energise Galashiels Trust; Galashiels British Legion; and Rotary Club of Galashiels.

Private donations have also been given by residents of Abbotsford Court and Hazeldean care homes.

The spokesperson added: “Gala in Bloom also acknowledges the service given by their suppliers Pentland Plants, Milestone, Lowood, Philiphaugh Nurseries, and Raker Landscape.”