Thurso community activist gets by with a little help from his missionary friends
A Thurso community activist and council election candidate talked of his delight to be given a helping hand with his urban flower projects in the town centre.
Alexander Glasgow, an independent candidate at the the forthcoming Highland Council local elections, was helped by missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around his rose garden on Olrig Street.
The four young women left a statement of what they do in communities they visit and why: "We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, volunteering as missionaries right now.
"Sister Thompson comes from Washington State and Sister McPhearson comes from California. The Church is worldwide so missionaries come from and go all over the world. As missionaries we leave our loved ones for 18-24 months. Our purpose is to help and teach others about Jesus Christ and gain happiness. We also serve others as well."
They said they enjoyed living in Thurso and serving the community and asked the public to "reach out to learn more" about their mission.
Mr Glasgow said: "I was delighted that they offered to help improve everyday enjoyment of living in Thurso even though they are here for just a short time. They are leaving this week, and I have suggested one more service project. More missionaries are starting, and other members of the community are offering help."
He said that as part of their outreach and fellowship work, the "volunteers engage in service projects" with the local communities where they are based.
"All are enthusiastic volunteers. Daylilies are stoloniferous – that is, they send out horizontal stems which appear in unexpected places 'offering' help. Plus, with a succession of individual flowers which last only from dawn to dusk, a carpet of daylillies never looks the same from day to day."
The Original Factory Shop in Thurso has donated bulbs to Mr Glasgow, and he says he is receiving "more petalpower for summer flowers and hanging baskets which will make Thurso 2022 bloomin' marvellous".
"I'd be delighted if new missionaries – and anyone else – offers help. Gnomes are willing workers but they don't small hands so have difficulty gripping tools," he added.
Alexander Glasgow's fundraiser to help bring colour to Thurso through flower planting is at: www.gofundme.com/f/thurso-in-colour
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