Take a Pride in Perthshire Award Ceremony - Bloom groups celebrate their success

Representatives of the many In Bloom committees from across Perth and Kinross gathered in Perth’s Royal George Hotel on Monday evening, 6th September to hear the results of the annual Take a Pride in Perthshire Award Competition.

The criteria for the competition awards marks for community involvement and participation, litter control, improvement and progression, general maintenance and overall visual impact – and the results are stunning!

The Wee Village Category judges were Jean Hay and Sylvia Stuart, both from Perth, who enthused about all the entrants in this group – Kenmore, Keltybridge and Maryburgh, Scotlandwell and Spittalfield.

The winning Wee Village was Scotlandwell.  The judges said “Scotlandwell in Bloom adopt a broad remit by enhancing the village aesthetically whilst ensuring the quality of their local environment and maintaining and upgrading historical features.  The determination and vision of Scotlandwell in Bloom is to be admired and highly commended”.

The Small Village Winner was Kinnesswood who fought off competition from Muthill, Blackford and Glencarse and St Madoes.   The judges for this category, Len McConnell from Duncrievie and Zoe Gamble from Aberfeldy, noted that the engagement with and involvement of the local community in Kinnesswood was very impressive and that there was a very clear and well planned programme of maintenance and development activities which had been successfully executed throughout the village by Kinnesswood in Bloom.

The Large Village Category was judged by Fiona Hair from Perth and Gordon Croll from Blairgowrie.  This category received entries from Bridge of Earn, Comrie, Errol and Milnathort.  Comrie came out on top and the judges commented that “all approaches to Comrie and every available piece of ground is tastefully and beautifully landscaped with permanent planting, punctuated with splashes of spectacular colour.  Absolutely outstanding effort by Comrie in Colour and a privilege to see”.

The Small Country Town Category was also judged by Fiona Hair and Gordon Croll with Coupar Angus coming out with the top award of category winner and a gold medal.  “The bloom committee, called Pride of Place, have transformed key sites in the town with attractive and colourful displays and there is obviously a vibrancy and transformation taking place in the town”.  Coupar Angus’ close rivals were Blairgowrie and Rattray and Crieff.

Each year all the judges are invited to nominate entrants who they feel should be given recognition for extended community involvement and commitment.   Brig in Bloom were rewarded with “Best Involvement with Community Youth” for their work in Bridge of Earn, with Comrie in Colour scooping the “Best Community Involvement” award.  The “Most Improved Community” went to a delighted Take A Pride in Errol with Coupar Angus Pride of Place and Kenmore in Bloom both receiving recognition for “Improved Involvement with Schools”.

A special award was given to Tom and Evelyn Caldow for their “Outstanding Contribution” to the Blairgowrie and Rattray area through their work for Blair in Bloom.

In addition Carse in Bloom – a brand new group who only recently established themselves to enhance the environment in the villages Glencarse and St  Madoes – were awarded “Best New Entry” by the judges.

Recognition was also given to Beautiful Scotland Competition finalists Kinnesswood, Blairgowrie and Rattray and Scotlandwell who will know the results on 22nd September and to Comrie, Muthill, Perth and Pitlochry all finalists in the Britain in Bloom Competition – results will be announced on 29th September.  A special mention was also given to Pitlochry for being a finalist in the International competition, Communities in Bloom.

Success was also celebrated for achievements in the British Legion War Memorial Competition with winning entries from Blackford, Braco, and Muthill.

Presenting the awards at the ceremony was Provost John Hulbert accompanied by his wife Sara.   He praised all the local communities for their efforts throughout the year and congratulated the community volunteers who helped make a difference for both residents and visitors alike.

NATIONAL COMPETITIONS 2010

Britain in Bloom Competition Results 2010

Comrie – Gold Medal and Category Winner

Muthill – Silver medal

Perth – Gold Medal and Category Winner

Pitlochry – Gold Medal (Champion of Champions category)

Beautiful Scotland Competition Results 2010

Blairgowrie and Rattray – Gold Medal and Horticultural Excellence Award

Kinnesswood - Silver Gilt Medal

Scotlandwell – Silver Gilt Medal and Category Winner

TAKE A PRIDE IN PERTHSHIRE COMPETITION RESULTS 2010

Wee Village

Winner    Scotlandwell in Bloom

Medals     Kenmore in Bloom GOLD
              Keltybridge and Maryburgh Environment Project GOLD
              Scotlandwell in Bloom GOLD
              Spittalfield in Bloom GOLD

Small Village

Winner    Kinnesswood in Bloom

Medals    Kinnesswood in Bloom GOLD
              Muthill in Bloom SILVER GILT
              Blackford is Brighter SILVER GILT
              Carse in Bloom  BRONZE

Large Village

Winner    Comrie in Colour

Medals    Comrie in Colour GOLD
              Brig in Bloom GOLD
              Take A Pride in Errol SILVER GILT
              Milnathort in Bloom SILVER

Small Country Town

Winner    Coupar Angus Pride of Place GOLD

Medals    Blair in Bloom GOLD
              Crieff in Leaf SILVER GILT
              Coupar Angus Pride of Place  GOLD

Addition Awards 2010

Best involvement with community youth           Brig in Bloom

Best community involvement                           Comrie in Colour

Most Improved Community                              Take A Pride in Errol

Outstanding contribution award                        Tom and Eve Caldow

Best involvement with schools                          Kenmore in Bloom and Coupar Angus Pride of Place

Best New Entry                                              Carse in Bloom