PLANTERS will be removed from a dale village centre to lighten the workload of a dwindling band of volunteers.
The award-winning gardening group Middleton-in-Bloom, which maintains the planters and floral displays in Middleton-in-Teesdale, told members of the parish council at their October meeting of the need to reduce the number of containers.
In a report to councillors, Pam Phillips, from Middleton-in-Bloom, said the group had received many compliments from visitors on their work, as well as a generous anonymous donation from a resident, as a thank you.
She added: “We are, however, having to review our work and remove a few containers.
“The removal of these will help us manage the remaining containers more efficiently, especially as we are now struggling with volunteers.”
They are proposing the removal of a barrel planter at the entrance to the village, a wooden one in Masterman Place, along with two metal containers opposite the Co-op and a barrel at the entrance of the car park.
Ms Philips said: “The personal circumstances of three of our volunteers have changed over the summer months and they are unable to commit to regular help.
“The remaining volunteers are now struggling to cope with the work, especially considering our ages.”
Cllr Adrian Carroll said: “Can we do anything about more members for Bloom? About anyone who is interested in getting involved?”
Councillors agreed a call out for volunteers should be included in the next newsletter and on social media.
Cllr Sue Bainbridge said: “Pam [Philips] also said some of the containers have herbs in and if anyone wants to snip some off to help themselves.”
