Dobbies’ Dunfermline store is inviting local residents to cast their vote and help the garden centre crown its Helping Your Community Grow winner for Fife.

Groups across the country have the chance to create or refresh a community space with Dobbies’ support, and the garden centre is now asking locals to help pick the winner for its Dunfermline store.

This year’s initiative has welcomed nominations from schools looking to enhance their gardens, charities supporting the most vulnerable members of the community proposing sensory gardens, and community groups and clubs looking to create a garden space where they can grow their own fruit and vegetables.

The three shortlisted projects in the running at the Dunfermline store are:

Alzheimer Scotland Resource Centre, which offers a safe and welcoming space to meet others, find out about help available and get support, is seeking Dobbies’ help to improve its outdoor space and install self-watering planters, brightly coloured plants and equipment to start regenerating the area to make it more appealing for those attending.

Kinglassie Primary School are looking to spruce up their playground to encourage the children to grow their own fruit and vegetables and learn more about the outdoor environment. Dobbies’ support would provide the school with plants, seeds, peat-free compost and tools, as well as expert advice on the best plants to grow.

South Parks Primary School are seeking gardening supplies for the nursery gardens with the hope that children will benefit from the wonders of being outdoors. With Dobbies’ support, the school hopes to create a safe, quiet and exciting learning environment that they can thrive from.

The winning group for Dunfermline will receive advice, gardening products and plants from Dobbies’ horticultural team.

Dobbies’ own-brand peat-free multipurpose compost, recycled and recyclable containers, UK-sourced plants and safer pest control products are among the many products the garden centre will donate.

The project that receives the most votes from all Dobbies stores will be the national winner, receiving extra funding and support.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: "We were overwhelmed with the response to our Helping Your Community Grow initiative and have seen a significant increase in nominations, with over 800 applications for 2023.

“A huge thank you to everyone who nominated their project for our Dobbies’ Dunfermline store to support. It’s now up to the public to select the winner – our Dunfermline team are very much looking forward to seeing who this will be.”

To find out more about the Helping Your Community Grow shortlist and to cast your vote, visit Helping Your Community Grow | Dobbies Garden Centres

Votes are open until Tuesday, April 25.