Wick Flowers: We are part of a special community
Recorded 1 month ago
About this recording
The volunteers of Wick Flowers - known as the Pink Ladies because of their high-vis vests - are responsible for the abundant, colourful floral displays around the town that are admired by local people and visitors alike.
In this joint interview, Anne Duffy and Joanna Coghill talk about the year-round commitment of the team and how they take such a pride in brightening up Wick.
Anne and Joanna are among a core group of about a dozen members from all walks of life who collectively look after 27 locations.
“I think it’s just a combination of our love for the town, our love for gardening, and to enhance what we’ve got because there are so many interesting areas within Wick,” Joanna explains. “A tub of flowers, a container of flowers, I think just improves it that little bit more, and it’s good for the locals and the tourists.”
Anne agrees: “It’s hugely impactful, I think, to bring colour to the town, and without the flowers it would be a lot greyer. We do it for the locals, and for tourists, and definitely to promote the town.
“It’s so well valued by the community, what we do. And there’s such an encouragement to motivate us to keep going.”
Formerly known as the Wick Flower Baskets Committee, the group had its origins in 1999 at a time of Highland Council cutbacks. Joanna points out that the volunteers continue to work closely with the council gardeners.
Anne says: “We couldn’t do it without the public and the generous donations from businesses and organisations. And then we can do a little bit of fundraising ourselves.”
Wick Flowers is one of many voluntary groups working to enhance the town and ensure that it remains a nice place to live and to visit.
“A lot of us wear different hats and different colours of high-vis but it’s good that we can all integrate and get ideas and pass on information,” Joanna says.
“We are part of a special community here. We’ve got great community spirit in Wick… We all work together.
“We’re proud Wickers. We do promote the area as much as possible.”
Anne adds: “It’s such a sociable thing to do as well. As well as the enjoyment, it’s a feelgood factor. It gives back to us as much as we’re giving to the cause.”
New volunteers would be welcome. They can get in touch via Facebook.
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