FROM chairman to gardener. After 40 years in public service, Ballinamallard man Bert Johnston has found another way to serve the people – by keeping his beloved village in bloom.

Mr. Johnston, who is well known for his green fingers, has been given the job by his fellow neighbours now that he has left politics and says he absolutely loves it.

“I was given this job of looking after the flowers by the people and I enjoy it very much. I have made my contribution to local government,” Mr. Johnston told The Impartial Reporter.

Most recently the former DUP politician and Chairman of Fermanagh District Council has been busy preparing the Erne North village for the Ulster in Bloom contest by decorating it in an array of colourful window boxes and hanging baskets.

“We would be pretty hopeful that we will do well. The village is looking wonderful at the moment. We buy the window baskets and pay for the planting. We have about 26 window boxes throughout the village and 44 hanging baskets. I think Ballinamallard should go places,” he said.

While Prince Charles is well known for talking to his plants, Mr. Johnston says he does not.

“No, I haven’t reached that stage yet, though I am sure it is in front of me,” he laughed.

Mr. Johnston says he is finding his new role a lot more therapeutic than chairing Council meetings.

“I am more relaxed these days. I enjoy watering and feeding the plants, because they are just like humans, a lot more than going to the Townhall. I don’t have a problem with the job, I don’t look at it as being demoted. I am enjoying looking after the village, it means a lot to me,” he said.

And recently, Mr. Johnston took great joy in constructing a wooden bird table, which he says has complimented his garden beautifully and helped him to de-stress even more.

“Watching the birds is very relaxing. When I came off the Council, I made this bird table. I made it up as I went along. I painted butterflies on the side, I like butterflies. Birds are dining it off now and are enjoying it. I have sparrows, blue tits, great tits and they all come to get a feed off Bert’s table.

“I feed them peanuts, seeds and stuff like that. I wouldn’t eat any of the food for the birds myself, I would be afraid of breaking out into song!” laughed Mr. Johnston.