Tarbert in Bloom looks to the future

Since starting out in 2023, the Tarbert in Bloom team have been working to give the village a facelift that has left it cleaner, brighter and more welcoming than before. Now funds are running low and Tania and Jocelyn are appealing to visitors, locals and businesses to support the next phase.

The organisation’s efforts so far include planting flowering pots (43 this year) and hanging baskets throughout the village, sewing wild f lowers, hosting an annual gardener’s market, supporting the HVS play scheme and arranging clean-up days. They get funding for the bulb and summer planting from the Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery without whom they wouldn’t have been able to make Tarbert bloom!

As well as working with local schools to create the four new ‘Welcome to Harris’ signs they have contributed volunteer time to facilitate improvements to the Scott Road path and steps, the wall at the start of Main Street, the picnic area by the post office, and more.

They employ Lewis and Harris Grounds Maintenance to cut grass in the village throughout the growing season, and are grateful for the continued financial and labour support of the North Harris Trust. While these achievements have been possible thanks to the generous contributions of previous sponsors and local businesses, Tarbert in Bloom’s funds are now running low and the organisation is asking more local businesses and individuals to consider supporting its work – both in the short term and for the future.

Contributions are needed so that the programme of grass cutting for the rest of this year can be completed, winter mainte nance jobs can be undertaken and flower planting for next year can go ahead. “We are delighted with what has been achieved so far, but we have big plans for 2025 and beyond and just need a little extra help to bring them to fruition,” said Tania MacLeod.

To encourage contributions from passers-by and visitors, a new donations box for cash/cheques has been placed at the picnic bench and wildflower patch opposite the Distillery. Anyone wishing to support Tarbert in Bloom can leave their contribution there.

For information about donations or the work of Tarbert in Bloom please contact Tania Macleod: tai.gemini@btopenworld.com or Jocelyn Corderoy: jmcwardrobe@aol.com or find Tarbert in Bloom on Facebook.