Building on past blooms success A Community is using traditional skills to highlight its floral success.

A Community is using traditional skills to highlight its floralsuccess.

Members of the Dyce Gardening Club are building two drystane dykesto welcome visitors to the Aberdeen suburb.

The semi-circle of stones will house flowers and a sign announcingDyce's past successes in bloom competitions.

It won Britain in Bloom's urban community award back in 2004 andwas runner up in the Scottish section last year.

Local councillor Ron Clark, who is also chairman of the Aberdeenin Bloom working party, wanted to do something to "trumpet" Dyce'ssuccess.

Members of the Dyce Gardening Club have risen to the challenge andare building the walls with the guidance of the Aberdeen CountrysideProject.

Ron said: "It's great to see the community's effort - and forpeople to see it."

One wall will be built at the south entrance on Stoneywood Road,where the Rotary club is also erecting a clock. The other will be to the north at Riverside Drive.

The aim is to finish it by July 20 when Canadian judges willarrive to judge Dyce's entry in the international section of theCommunities in Bloom contest.

Next weekend 160 hanging baskets will go up along the streets.

Local sponsorship bought the plants, which have been nurtured by60 residents.

Ron said Dyce had inspired other city communities to improve theirappearance.

He said: "Places like Culter, Ferryhill and Torry are doing thesame."

He also highlighted the efforts of pupils who have helped createand tend a wildflower garden at Dyce Primary School, saying: "Ithelps them learn about the environment."

And the councillor said the community would not be put off by vandals, who recently smashed 11 windows at the school.

He said: "We shouldn't not do something just because it might getvandalised."

dewen@ajl.co.uk