Floral clock mastermind David Dorward retires after 44 year career in Edinburgh’s parks

Throughout his career with the council David has worked with colleagues to design and plant 40 of the city’s iconic clocks with designs ranging from jubilees and war commemorations to the anniversary of the clock itself! In 2003 the clock was awarded a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Earlier today David was joined by his colleagues and Lord Provost Robert Aldridge at the clock to see his final edition in full bloom.

Presenting Mr Dorward with a quaich and congratulating him on his service, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:

Each year the iconic clock marks special occasions and events in the heart of the Capital and today we mark our own as David retires from the Council after 44-year career in our parks team.

Since 1982 David has worked with technical colleagues each year to design and plant the floral clock which, as we can see today, continues to be enjoyed by everyone who passes it.

It is my pleasure to thank and congratulate David on his career with us in the Council and wish him well in his well-earned retirement.

David Dorward, said

I’d like to thank the Lord Provost for his kind words. It’s been a pleasure to work in the councils Parks and Greenspace team and a privilege to work on the floral clock. It’s funny to think after being brought to see it by my mum and dad when I was a child that I would get to work on over 40 of them. I’ve got many highlights but discovering that we’d been awarded with the gold at the Chelsea flower show definitely sticks out. I’d very much like to thank my colleagues over the years and look forward to visiting the clock in the years ahead.

For 2022, the hugely popular landmark celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

David and team of four gardeners took just four weeks to plant over 35,000 flowers and plants used to create the clock, which will be in bloom until October.