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Thorny issues with Thurso roses


By David G Scott

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A volunteer tending flowers in Thurso believes certain issues need addressed if the town centre wants to retain its colourful blooms.

Community activist Alexander Glasgow has been pruning rose bushes on Olrig Street and Riverside Road alongside other volunteers but thinks the flowers are now "getting past it".

Alexander believes the roses at this site on Olrig Street have had their day and need replaced. Pictures: DGS
Alexander believes the roses at this site on Olrig Street have had their day and need replaced. Pictures: DGS

"It used to be that the council or local groups would replenish them every two or three years but that's not happened for quite a few years now," said Mr Glasgow.

"There's been no funding from the Highland Council or Thurso Community Council (TCC) either. The pretty rose bushes – this is the horticultural term as well as description – are getting past it."

He said that a careful examination of the roses shows that some are developing seven leaves instead of the usual five and are converting into "briars".

Thurso community activist and volunteer Alexander Glasgow.
Thurso community activist and volunteer Alexander Glasgow.

"They're gradually changing into briar roses which are wild and less pretty. There has been pruning over the years but with age they will revert."

At the site on Olrig Street, he said there were originally 75 rose bushes but a number have died or become diseased and had to be removed.

"A number of the bushes are now showing their age. Some are stunted or dead. Others seem to be reverting to briar phase, like Sleeping Beauty awakening – she was known as the Little Briar Rose.

"Previously, the council replenished the roses on a rolling basis [but] this has not been done for several years."

Alexander Glasgow tends the rose garden at Olrig Street in Thurso. Pictures: DGS
Alexander Glasgow tends the rose garden at Olrig Street in Thurso. Pictures: DGS

Mr Glasgow estimates it would cost around £500 to replace the flowers in the garden.

"There is no need to replace them all in one fell swoop, just refill the growing gaps."

He talked about possible routes to raising money through online crowdfunding or sponsoring plants in memory of loved ones as happens in other parts of the county.

"A new plant would cost as little as £5."

There are still beautiful blooms at Olrig Street like this one but others may be past their best.
There are still beautiful blooms at Olrig Street like this one but others may be past their best.

He also pointed out how the town's daffodil fields "have been denuded" by repeated premature grass cutting.

"Springpark has been especially damaged. They should not be cut until at least six weeks after flowering to allow them to store energy in the bulbs."

He said the daffodils have even been cut while still flowering and he raised the matter with TCC but to no avail, he claimed.

"They now are destroyed, I fear."

Mr Glasgow said that ward councillors have been supportive in principle "for Covid-19 additionality funding" to purchase new bulbs ready for next season.

"An individual cannot apply, so I have approached local community groups to vouch for me. I would be willing to plant them along with anyone else interested.

"This has to be done soon as bulbs should be in by autumn. The timescale for roses is more relaxed. They could be ordered early 2021."

He thinks there should also be maintenance carried out in Sir John's Square to pollard the sycamore trees.

"This was the plan in 2013 when the decorative trees went in but was poorly explained. Sycamores are not town trees, and offer nesting areas to crows which then foul the pavement."

Mr Glasgow said that the work he carries out with the other volunteers helps add a splash of colour to the centre of town, especially for tourists travelling on the North Coast 500 route through Thurso.

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