The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Communities keep Scotland beautiful Beautiful Scotland praises Courier Country groups
The success of community groups in Courier Country has been recognised at the annual Beautiful Scotland Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by Fife Council, celebrated the work in communities to help deliver environmental improvements.
A total of 13 category winners, with 11 additional discretionary awards and the overall Rosebowl Award, were presented.
The volunteers of East Haven Together in Angus received a gold medal certificate and were placed first overall in the Coastal Village category.
Gold awards were also given to Beautiful Kilconquhar, Cupar in Bloom, Dunfermline Delivers, Growing Kirkcaldy, Beautiful Perth, Brig in Bloom and Comrie in Colour.
Silver awards went to Monifieth Eco Force, Dunfermline in Bloom, Low Valleyfield Improvement Group and Crichton Lang Court Residents Group.
A silver gilt was given to Bonnie Dundee, Broughty Ferry in Bloom, Inverflora, Visit Falkland, Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom, Kinnesswood in Bloom and Muthill in Bloom.
Dundee Flower and Food Festival received the David Welch Memorial Award for Something Special.
Dundee City Council neighbourhood resources convener Councillor Kevin Cordell said: “The Dundee Flower and Food Festival is a superb example of the council working in partnership with a range of organisations to provide an entertaining weekend in a glorious setting.
“The festival would not be possible without the efforts of the people who work behind the scenes and I would like to thank them for their dedication and hard work.”
Mary Law from Cupar in Bloom was delighted and described the discretionary community horticulture award as the “icing on the cake”. “That was a nice surprise,” she said. All entries were assessed against the three core pillars of the Beautiful Scotland campaign – horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.
Beautiful Scotland is managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful, a member of the RHS Bloom Federation.
Carole Noble, operations director of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “In 2017 the campaign in Scotland reaches its 51st year.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted to once again celebrate and reward the dedication and achievements of the committed volunteers who create places that are good for our health, wealth and happiness.”
Entrants are judged by a team of expert volunteer judges on their yearround achievements.
Awards are presented to a range of local authorities and communities who have achieved the highest scores in their categories, with discretionary awards given to those who demonstrate excellence in their commitment to the campaign.
Some of the winners will go on to represent Scotland in RHS Britain in Bloom in 2017.