Groups show county at its blooming best
Green-fingered volunteers across Perth and Kinross were celebrated at an awards ceremony this week.
Representatives from all 48 In Bloom committees attended the Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross awards on Wednesday in Perth’s Salutation Hotel.
The top prizes went to Kinnesswood in Bloom for small village of the year, Brig in Bloom for large village of the year and Coupar Angus Pride of Place for best small country town.
The judges this year, led by chairman Gordon Croll, were Monica Straughan, Fiona Hair, Kathy Miller, Graham Harbut and Ally Bruce.
Gordon Croll said: “We continue to be struck by the enthusiasm, energy, skill and commitment from all the places we visited. It is very encouraging to see new groups come to the fore with innovation and energy.
“The immense contribution from volunteers really makes a difference to our towns Linda Cameron, Carol McLean, Bill Ronald, Anne Easson and Sheena McNaughton from Coupar Angus Pride of Place
and villages and it was a great privilege to be welcomed to the communities and they have all done exceptionally well.”
The groups were judged on their horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.
Coupar Angus Pride of Place picked up the best community
involvement prize and Kinnesswood in Bloom was also awarded the best involvement with schools title.
The most improved community was Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom and a special award was given to Keith Lawrence from Ardoch in Bloom for his outstanding contribution.
Kinross in Bloom also won an endeavour award and the best new entrant went to Luncarty and Redgorton in Bloom.
A special mention was also given to Beautiful Perth, which is representing Scotland in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom competition. The results will be announced
Award winners with Provost Dennis Melloy on October 19.
Provost Dennis Melloy, who presented the awards, said: “Perth and Kinross has a beautiful and striking natural landscape and the outstanding work of the In Bloom committees around the area plays a vital part in maintaining this.”
In the small village category Kinnesswood in Bloom won the title with a gold award, with other medals going to Ardoch in Bloom, Blackford is Brighter, Carse in Bloom (all silver gilt), Blooming Guildtown and Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom (both silver).
In the large village category, won by Brig in Bloom, medals were handed out to Abernethy in Bloom, Ardoch in Bloom, Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom, Milnathort in Bloom (all silver gilt) and Crook and Drum Growing Together (silver).
In the small country town category both Coupar Angus Pride of Place and Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom won gold medals, with silver gilt medals going to Auchterarder Bloom Association and Kinross in Bloom.