A VOLUNTARY initiative by Aberlady Bloomers to brighten up the village with strategically placed planters filled with spring flowers looked like it would end in disaster when four of the six planters were stolen.

The planters had initially been funded thanks to a grant from the local community council, constructed by Gus Hunter from Gullane and placed and planted by local volunteers.

Just days after locals began enjoying the planters’ splash of colour, two at the western end of the village – one by the village boundary and the other on the ancient loupin-on stane in front of the village kirk – were taken sometime between 8.30pm and 10pm on June 7.

All that was left was a mound of soil on the A198 into the village.

The two other planters, placed at the village boundaries on Haddington Road and Gullane Road, disappeared the following afternoon, despite villagers hastily ordering chains to secure them and fluorescent paint to brand them ‘Property of Aberlady Bloomers’.

People are asked to contact Police Scotland with information quoting crime number CA03577520.

However, after posting about the thefts on social media, several messages of support and offers of help, including those for replacement planters, compost and plants, came in from people across East Lothian.

A spokesperson for the group thanked Caledonian Horticulture after its generosity allowed for four brand-new custom-made and filled planters to be placed at the village boundaries on June 16.

Thanks were extended to Wood Food in Aberlady, which offered to help with plants for future projects.

The spokesperson added: “We were devastated when we realised the planters had gone missing – how could someone do something so despicable?

“However, we have been overwhelmed and touched by the response of the wonderful East Lothian community. It has definitely restored our faith in human nature!”

Aberlady Bloomers also acknowledged the support of Gus Campbell from East Lothian Council plants department and Douglas Whiteford of Forth Resource Management Ltd.