Auchterarder looks blooming marvellous
Medals and honours galore for Strath communities
Representatives of the 48 In Bloom committees from across Perth and Kinross gathered in the Salutation Hotel last Thursday evening to hear the results of the annual Take a Pride in Perthshire Competition.
The criteria for the competition is in three parts – Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility and Community Participation .
And the judges, Kathy Miller, Graham Harbut and Ally Bruce led by chairman Gordon Croll, were extremely impressed with all the communities they visited.
They 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 and villages.
“It was a great privilege to be welcomed to the communities and they have all done exceptionally well.”
Au c h t e r a rd e r B loom Association was delighted to be crowned winner of the Small Country Town Category.
The judges were impressed by the Lang Toon in terms of its horticultural excellence, and in particular the completion of the island bed at St Margaret’s Hospital.
Also achieving awards were Comrie in Colour, Muthill In Bloom and Ardoch In Bloom who achieved Silver Gilt medals and Blackford is Brighter which gained Silver.
Recognition was also given to the Beautiful Scotland competition finalists for the area, including Comrie In Colour and Muthill in Bloom.
Presenting the awards at the ceremony was Provost Dennis Melloy. He commented: “It gives me great pleasure to see such commitment and effort of volunteers in our communities justly celebrated and rewarded this evening.
“An immense amount of work of hard work is undertaken by residents in our towns and villages to ensure their local environment is a welcoming place to live and work and visit.
“Perth and Kinross has a beautiful and striking natural landscape and the outstanding work of In Bloom Committees around the area plays a vital part in maintaining this.”
An immense amount of hard work is undertaken by residents