Blair welcomes bloom judges
Expert eyes cast over town’s floral arrangements
Months of preparation and hard work culminated with a visit to Blairgowrie and Rattray from the judges for two major ‘bloom’ competitions last week.
Volunteers from Blair in Bloom welcomed judges from Beautiful Scotland and Take A Pride in Perthshire, and were keen to showcase the town’s floral arrangements and commitment to keeping Blairgowrie and Rattray beautiful.
On Friday, August 5, two judges from Beautiful Scotland were given a conducted tour of the town, led by Helen McCann, chair of Blair in Bloom.
Joe Whyte and Liz Stewart were met at Blairgowrie Golf Club by Mrs McCann and given a presentation heard have done over the past year and their plans for the future before being taken on a tour of the area, including the Wellmeadow and Riverside.
The judges also heard how local groups and organisations supported the efforts of Blair in Bloom.
And then on Wednesday last week, it was the turn of judges from Take a Pride in Perthshire, Sylvia Stuart and Ally Bruce.
The judges visited the Strathmore Centre for Youth Development where they received a presentation on Blair in Bloom’s work, as well as the One Voice office and the Meeting Point.
They also met supporters of the group in the Wellmeadow, including Margaret Anton who chatted about the new sensory garden at Hope Park, Jessie McLean from the VisitScotland Information Centre who emphasised how popular the hanging baskets and the Wellmeadow are with visitors to the town, and members of the Trefoil Guild.
Helen McCann thanked everyone for their support, saying: “It has been a lot of work this year with the wet weather so we are very grateful to everyone who helped out.
“Thanks to the support of the volunteers and local groups such as Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, the Trefoil Guild and the Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network, the town was looking great for the judges, despite the rain.
“We would also like to thank the council workers for their efforts in keeping the town litter free.”
Councillor Caroline Shiers is a long-term supporter of Blair in Bloom. She said: “Once again Blair in Bloom have done a fantastic job in ensuring the town looked beautiful ahead of the judging.
“I hope that their efforts are well rewarded when the results are announced.
“Each year, all through the year, Blair in Bloom, under the chairmanship of Helen McCann, work extremely hard. Through the winter they raise funds and plan their activities for the following spring and summer.
“Through the planting and growing season they are out frequently, in all weathers, and the town would be a much less attractive place without their efforts. Thanks to all of them.”
Councillor Bob Ellis added: “It was a pleasure to be asked to speak with the judging panel from both Beautiful Scotland and Take a Pride in Perthshire.
“They took great interest in all of the work, which has been and is still being done by Helen McCann and her volunteer team.
“They really do have to be congratulated for their efforts working away in all weathers during the day and evening.
“It was also very pleasing to be able to inform the judges that a number of other volunteers from volunteer organisations helped over the two weeks to make Blairgowrie and Rattray a place to be proud of.
“I wish Helen and her team all the success in the competitions and look forward to the results.”