'I'm not bananas,' says Thurso's green-fingered, gnome-loving community stalwart as he seeks to expand enterprise

A selfless volunteer helping to transform Thurso through "the power of the flower" says he wants to expand on his community work.

Alexander Glasgow has been adding colour to the town through a variety of flower planting and tending activities that include rose beds and hanging baskets.

"Previously when the council maintained Thurso's hanging baskets, they took them down at the end of September. Mine went up a few weeks earlier and it's a drying wind even a few feet up – the ground level boxes still are going strong," said Mr Glasgow.

"This definitely is a project I should like to continue in 2022, if the council would allow it, and I could expand. Either through additional funding or sponsorship by locally-operating businesses and additional equipment, Thurso could be festooned with colour again."

He says he has a "constituted group ready to go" and is currently negotiating with a community group regarding an interim arrangement. "I am investigating small but highly helpful donations from corporate structures eager to demonstrate their social value."

Mr Glasgow is always keen to outline how his "gnome friends" are always at his side to lend a helping hand but can only do so much "what with having little hands".

"One individual leading, always carries the risk of a single point of failure. I have had offers of help from humans but if anyone else does get in touch they can contact me by email (alexanderglasgow.foi@gmail.com) or Facebook or leave a note at North Coast Florists on Rotterdam Street."

The local activist says that though the town's roses are getting ready for their winter sleep he is looking at other planting projects to improve greenspaces. These might include planting amenity trees or pictorial wildflower zones or clearing debris around the boating pond.

"There is some doubt about ownership of the boating pond although I am confident an upcoming public consultation on a Thurso Common Good Fund would establish ownership. It has been discussed at Council Committee meetings that this is being prepared by council officers."

Mr Glasgow says that his future plans would be much more adventurous than his current "guerilla planting" and include liability and permission concerns which he is preparing to enter dialogue on with ward councillors and other relevant parties.

"Some people might say I am bananas but there is a method to it all," he quipped in self-depreciation.

Related article:

Flower power activist appeals for funds to make Thurso 'pulsate with colour'

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