Wooler trader hopes for further floral improvements to town centre

Catherine Dunn started her efforts last year by raising money from local businesses for planters.

She now wants to expand the project and has written to several local companies and Northumberland County Council.

In her letter, she identifies sites near St Mary’s Church and Ramsey’s Lane car park for new planters and, if funding allowed, suggests floral containers on South Road, stone bedding and cherry trees at The Peth and planters on rails at the bus station.

She is seeking £600 to cover the cost of bedding plants and has so far raised £185.

A garden open day is also planned next June.

Wooler Parish Council has indicated it would be prepared to fund some of the costs.

Chairman Mark Mather said: “She is doing a good job and it does improve the look of the town.

“I do think the parish council are being very proactive anyway in improving the look of the town, for example with bulb planting. There’s a cost at the start for that but it will last forever. This is going to be an ongoing cost every year.”

Coun Angus Murray said: “I think the work she does up the High Street is generally good and as a parish council we should support it.”

However, councillors had concerns about her suggestion for South Road because they have been trying to give it a parkland look.

Coun Mather was also concerned that planters on rails at the bus station would be targeted by vandals.