COMMUNITY members from Cockenzie and Port Seton in Bloom are raising funds to replace street furniture ahead of the group’s 25th anniversary next year.

The voluntary organisation, established in 1997, is getting ready to redesign public gardens in the community to mark local heritage.

Sheila Chambers, Cockenzie and Port Seton in Bloom secretary, said: “In these 25 years, Cockenzie and Port Seton has been transformed. We now have five beautiful public gardens where once there was just open space, as well as 24 planters along the main road, which provide colour during spring and summer, and are admired by locals and visitors.”

The group, which meets twice a week, has a nursery garden which boasts a small and large polytunnel, two green houses and space for growing vegetables.

After 25 years, many planters are ageing and their condition is deteriorating.

Cockenzie and Port Seton in Bloom’s members are keen to replace these for their milestone anniversary next year to make sure that the village is looking its best.

Cockenzie and Port Seton in Bloom is run entirely by volunteers and all funds are raised by their efforts through plant sales, coffee mornings and craft fairs.

Sheila said: “These efforts have been severely cut back in the last 15 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so we have decided to try and raise the £5,000 we need by crowdfunding.”

A comment on the crowdfunding page said: “Thank you for all the hard work you do in making our lovely village look even lovelier.”

To donate to the cause, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/cps-in-bloom---refurbishment-of-street-furniture