When the town of Dumfries in south-west Scotland decided to launch their week-long community clean-up initiative called “Dumfries Shine,” they knew exactly who should be first in line for the VIP treatment, their beloved rhino statue and baby that have been watching over the town since the 1980s. Local experts from Eco Dry Ice volunteered their services free of charge to give these iconic sculptures a dazzling makeover using their specialized dry ice cleaning technology, creating a spectacular start to the community improvement project. The famous rhino duo holds a special place in residents’ hearts, originally conceived by local schoolchildren who suggested placing a rhino on top of a bus stop, and when roadworks later required the bus stop’s removal, the rhino was reinstalled with a delightful baby rhino companion joining the family. Steven McCreadie and Gordon Keenan from Eco Dry Ice, who are accustomed to cleaning everything from modern factories to priceless vintage aircraft, admitted that cleaning a rhino statue was even a first for them.
The Dumfries Shine initiative represents the community’s excitement about upcoming improvements, with $27 million in funding available over the next ten years to transform their town. Jo Johnstone, Dumfries Town Board Programme Manager, explained that seeing the beloved rhinos cleaned up was “a fantastic way to put Dumfries Shine on everyone’s radar” and generate enthusiasm for the week-long series of community clean-up activities. The initiative, running from September 1-6, will culminate in a thank-you party featuring live music in the town center, celebrating all the volunteers who participated in making their community sparkle. This charming story demonstrates how a simple act of caring for a cherished local landmark can inspire an entire town to come together and take pride in their shared space.
