| Hedge fund comes under attack from pensioners |
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| Written by Andrea O'Neill | ||||||
 A big-hearted Calderwood couple proved they weren’t hedging their bets when it came to helping an older couple. After reading in the East Kilbride Mail about the plight of Thomas and Caroline Edgar – who have been denied entry into the council’s Care of Garden scheme – Emily Herbert, 27, and Frank McLory, 38, offered to cut their hedges for them. The Edgars are at loggerheads with South Lanarkshire Council over the cutting of their tall garden hedge. The council say that cannot accept any new clients for the scheme, which provides basic gardening services to assist elderly or disabled residents. Call centre worker Emily said: “After paying council tax for so many years, you would think you’d get something back when you reach a certain age. “Not very many people speak out so we are happy to help in any way we can. They are an adorable couple, and Caroline is such a fighter. “It’s an awesome feeling helping others. It gives you a purpose, a reason to enjoy your day, it feeds the soul. We’d do it every day.” The Edgars, who have lived in Wingate Crescent for 50 years, are challenging the council for cutting the costs of vital services. The pensioners are worried about the dangers of having to climb a ladder to trim their hedges. Caroline, 74, couldn’t believe complete strangers reading her story could be so kind. She said: “What a lovely gesture. We’re so taken aback that a young couple would want to help us – when you get older you don’t have a voice. “We are thrilled but accepting the offer defeats what we are trying to achieve. “If enough people get in touch with the council and their local MP we could get the scheme re-instated. No one will give me a straight answer so I would like the council leader to tell me outright if they are scrapping the garden scheme.” The plucky pensioners are lobbying MSP Hugh O’Donnell and EK East Councillor John Cairney later this week and plan to petition the area. A council spokeswoman reiterated this week that the scheme will remain closed to new applicants. There are currently 11,000 Care of Garden scheme members who will continue to receive the service.
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