Latest News

 

Ardoch in Bloom Celebrates Restoration of Historic Wall

14th October 2023

Local environmental group Ardoch in Bloom celebrated the completion of their ambitious wall restoration project by holding an official opening on Saturday 14^th October.

Over the years the wall, which links the new Cemetery to Braco, had fallen into a sad state of disrepair. The group had previously carried out a series of improvements to the Braco cemetery entrance, including restoring a small section of the wall, but had ambitions to restore the remainder of it to its former glory.

Appearing on original Ordnance Survey maps dating back to the 19th Century, the wall features an unusual construction style known as “Cock and Hen” due to the unusually positioned cope stones along the top of the wall.

Over the last few months the 165m section of wall was dismantled, restored and rebuilt by local stonemason Struan Donaldson and his team. During the process a wren’s nest was discovered in the wall; the construction team paused work until the chicks had flown the nest, and then created a permanent recess in the wall structure to allow the nesting space to be used again in the future.

The project also saw the construction of a decorative cairn to mark the occasion, and a time capsule has been buried on the site filled with treasures and memories from Braco Primary School pupils, local groups and individuals.

Alan Mitchell, Chair of Ardoch in Bloom, said: “I was thrilled to see so many supporters of the project attend today’s celebration. The restoration of this historic wall is a major milestone for our community and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. The wall is now in better condition than ever before, and it will be a lasting reminder of our village’s rich history."

The group was aided by the ‘Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association’ which provided project management support and helped to fundraise over £70,000 from a range of generous funders, including the Ardoch Development Trust, Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, Perth and Kinross Council and the Arnold Clark Foundation. Ardoch in Bloom also carried out fundraising activities in which they were generously supported by the local community.

Dr Karen McDonnell, Chair of the Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association, said: “I’m delighted that after so many years this historic structure has been restored to such a high standard. Ardoch in Bloom should be proud that their contribution to protecting and enhancing their local environment will benefit generations to come. This project is a great example of what can be achieved by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers with the support of their local community.”

 

Annual General Meeting 2023

21 May 2023

Our Annual General Meeting was held in Perth on 20 May 2023. Hosted by our Chair, Karen McDonnell, the members present received the Trustee's Annual Report and formally approved the Annual Accounts 2022-23. Both documents have now been published on the About Us section of this website, and have been submitted to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). 

Our Project Development Adviser, Charlie Hardman of Nicki Soutar Associates, provided an informative update on the local projects across Perth & Kinross which were underway during the year: 

• the Abernethy Heritage Garden (with Abernethy in Bloom)
• the return of the 'Still' statue to Loch Earn (with St Fillans in Bloom)
• the restoration of the 'Cock and Hen' wall at Braco (with Ardoch in Bloom)
• the enhancement of Comrie War Memorial (with Comrie in Colour)
• the renovation of Scotlandwell Wash House and Well (with Scotlandwell in Bloom)
• the creation of a Nature Garden at Blair Atholl Village Hall (with Blair Atholl in Bloom)
• the creation of an entrance feature at Meigle (with Meigle in Bloom) 

After the formal proceedings, we enjoyed two fascinating presentations from Tam Thomson of Alyth in Bloom and Rob Mulholland, sculptor and environmental artist.

Tam talked us through the highs and lows of delivering one of the largest projects we have ever worked on with a local bloom group, the improvement of Alyth Burn Side. Fraught with unforseen setbacks including the global pandemic and major flooding, the project took 5 years to complete but has completely transformed the Burn Side area into an attractive and accessible public space. Read more about it here.  

Rob is an internationally renowned environmental artist who has installations in locations from as far afield as the Far East to the USA as well as at his amazing Arcadia Sculpture Centre near Drymen. He is working with us on the restoration of his much-loved 'Still' sculpture to the waters of Loch Earn. Find out more about this exciting project on our St Fillans in Bloom page.

Over lunch we all enjoyed a very productive networking session which gave 'bloomers' a chance to exchange experience and ideas with each other. All in all this was a very successful and enjoyable event. 

Our latest Newsletter 

23 February 2023

Our latest newsletter has been published. Featuring stories from our member groups Abernethy in Bloom,  Alyth in Bloom, Comrie in Colour, and Feldy in Flower, you can read about the fantastic projects their volunteers are delivering to enhance their local environment. Kinnesswood in Bloom tells us about all the hard work volunteers did to prepare for entering the Beautiful Scotland competition in 2022. Many congratulation to them for winning a very well deserved Gold Medal as well the Best Village Award and a Discretionary Award for Working with Children! 

We also pay tribute to our previous Chair Bill Ronald who retired last year, and hear from our new Chair Karen McDonnell. There's also a page full of updates on ongoing and new projects currently underway in partnership between more local groups and our Association. Read all about it here!  

 

'Still' statue to return to Loch Earn

20 February 2023

St Fillans in Bloom has reached a pivotal stage in their exciting plans to reinstate the iconic ‘Still’ sculpture in Loch Earn. Since planning permission was granted, we have been helping the group raise funds to purchase the sculpture and cover the costs of returning it to the loch. The fundraising target has been reached and we celebrated by visiting the artist’s studio near Drymen where minor repairs and strengthening works are being carried out. The statue will be re-installed in the loch once these works are complete.

(L-R) sculptor Rob Mulholland, Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association’s Susan Crawford, Treasurer of St Fillans in Bloom Audrey Gavigan, Perth and Kinross Council’s Elspeth Bruce and St Fillans in Bloom member Geoff Hardman-Carter.

Created by renowned Scottish sculptor and environmental artist Rob Mulholland, the sculpture has been absent from the loch since 2017. Rob said: “I’m delighted to be working with St Fillans in Bloom to return ‘Still’ to Loch Earn. The sculpture has had a real journey from when it was first installed in 2014; my original concept was to create a sculpture that symbolised the physical and spiritual relationship between humans and the natural world, and it’s humbling to see the connections people have made with it across the globe.”

Treasurer of St Fillans in Bloom Audrey Gavigan said: “We have been inundated with enquiries from locals and visitors alike who are eager to see ‘Still’ returned to the village. By working in partnership with the Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association and Perth and Kinross Council we have ensured the legacy of ‘Still’ will benefit our local area for years to come.”

We in the Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association are providing project management and fundraising support. Our Chair Karen McDonnell said: “I’m delighted the Association has supported St Fillans in Bloom reach this exciting project milestone. During its time in Loch Earn the sculpture gained international recognition – its return will provide a welcome boost to the local community and attract visitors to the area.”

Project Case Study: Alyth Burn Side

6 January 2023

We've added another Case Study to our collection. This one is about the Alyth Burn Side project which was completed by the Alyth in Bloom group in 2022 with support from our Project Development Adviser. Read more about the project here.

Official Opening of Alyth Burn Side

23 July 2022

We were delighted to join volunteers from Alyth in Bloom to watch our Chairman Bill Ronald cut the ribbon to celebrate the official opening of the revitalised Alyth Burn Side. The Burn Side improvement project was an ambitious and exciting community-led initiative to transform and improve the appearance, access and biodiversity of the burn side at Pitnacree Street in Alyth.

Previously the site was overgrown with head-high bamboo with no suitable pedestrian path, forcing people to walk along the road. Five years on, the site has been transformed into a scenic and fully accessible area that has vastly improved the look of the burn side, as well as creating a safe pedestrian pathway. In addition to the ground works, the area has been further enhanced by the planting of ten new trees, the installation of a listening post and an information board, seating and floral display planters, with the finishing touch of a unique stained glass and timber sculpture by local artist Lesley Garside. Read the full story here.

AGM & Annual Accounts 2021-22

23 May 2022

Our Annual General Meeting was held in Perth on 21 May 2022 and we were absolutely delighted to be able to meet in person for the first time since 2019. Our Annual Report and Annual Accounts were approved, and have been passed by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). They are available now on the About Us section of this site.  We also enjoyed fascinating presentations from three guest speakers. 

Charlie Hardman of Nicki Soutar Associates, who provides our Project Management Advisor service, summarised progress with the many and varied projects currently underway across Perth & Kinross, in partnerships between local 'bloom' groups and the Association. Charlie has also produced our latest Newsletter which contains stories about those projects and is a really interesting and inspiring read. Do take a look!

Alex Cairncross, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Perth & Kinross, gave a presentation about the Queen's Green Canopy project, which is running a 'Plant a Tree for the Jubilee' campaign across the UK. Alex showed us some of the many tree planting events that have taken place in P&K to date, and we were amazed to learn that more than 150,000 trees have already been planted here - and we're only half way through the year! 

Robert Ross, Environment Initiatives Office with the Council, then outlined the new project he has recently launched to create 'Friends of Cemeteries' groups across the Perth & Kinross area. With more than 170 cemeteries and burial grounds, large and small, scattered across the county, there is much that can be done to tidy them, enhance their value for visitors and for biodiversity and to learn more about their history. Anyone interested in getting involved can email Robert at: CommunityGreenspace@pkc.gov.uk

All in all it was a very successful meeting, and many of the members present went on to enjoy a tour of Perth's multi-award winning Riverside Park, guided by volunteers from Beautiful Perth. Many thanks to everyone who helped make the day so very special.

RHS Award for Abernethy park

1 February 2022

Many congratulations to our member group Abernethy in Bloom for winning the prestigious 'Parks and Green Spaces Award' at the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom 2021 competition! The RHS ran the awards 'virtually' last year, with the entrants submitting information and photos of their work for the judges to assess. Abernethy in Bloom submitted its entry for Nurse Peattie's Garden in the heart of village and were up against stiff competition from other bloom groups across the UK. The Abernethy volunteers are a small but very keen and active group and were absolutely delighted to win. Well done to everyone involved!  

2020-21Annual Report & Accounts published

9 June 2021

We held a successful Annual General Meeting via Zoom on Monday 7 June 2021. Thanks to all the 'bloom' groups who attended; it was nice to see you all, and we hope we'll be able to meet face to face again next year! Key decisions taken at the AGM were the election of the new Committee of Trustees, updates to the Constitution and approval of the Annual Report and Annual Accounts. You can now find details of the new committee, plus copies of the above documents in the About Us section of this website. The Accounts and Annual Report have been submitted to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) who will check and publish them in due course.

Blairgowrie Case Study now online

4 March 2021

We've added another Case Study to our collection. This one is about Blair in Bloom's Coronation Corner project which was recently completed by the group with support from our Project Development Adviser. The project has transformed Coronation Corner in the centre of Blairgowrie into a public friendly space. Blair in Bloom volunteers will be out doing more planting as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow, and we look forward to seeing the Corner looking blooming marvellous for years to come!

Project Case Studies published

20 October 2020

Three new case studies are now available on our website. These easy-to-read documents are based on the experiences of our member groups who have successfully completed ambitious environmental improvement projects in their local communities. We hope these will inspire other groups to think about what they may be able to achieve by planning their own projects. We can help with planning, project management and fundraising, so set your sights high! Read the case studies here:

• Benarty View project (Kinnesswood in Bloom)
• Crosswell Fountain project (Kinross in Bloom)
• Garrie's Corner project (Auchterarder in Bloom)
  
  

Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 now available

19 May 2020

Our Annual Report and Accounts for the year 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 are now available on our website. These key documents would normally have been presented to members at our AGM this month, but the exceptional circumstances that now apply due to Covid-19 have meant the AGM has had to be cancelled until further notice, along with our member groups' normal activities.

In line with guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity regulator (OSCR) that key decisions can be made using 'digital solution's, the Trustees have approved these key documents online. You can read the documents by clicking the following links:

2019-20 Annual Report

2019-20 Annual Accounts  

 

Covid-19: update 

23 March 2020

We have received confirmation that this year's Beautiful Scotland competition has been cancelled. The statement from KSB is below. The contact details are: email: info@keepscotlandbeautiful.org | Facebook: KSBScotland | Twitter: @KSBScotland | website: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org

The health of our volunteers, groups and staff are our priority right now. We know a lot of groups are already stopping their usual activities, with others scaling back and coming up with innovative ways to garden/carry out community actions while still taking the Scottish Government’s advice on board. With this in mind, we think it is only fair to cancel the 2020 competition element of Beautiful Scotland. However, we would still like to encourage groups to register (there will be no fees this year) to keep in touch, be connected with each other and so we can celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they are. So, what does this mean for 2020 and for your Beautiful Scotland group?

What will stop in 2020

• No guidance and advice visit
• No judging visit
• No award ceremony
• No seminar (unless Scottish Government advice has changed by then)

What will carry on / what’s new for 2020

• We will continue to keep in touch with you via email and the newsletter
• We will work out ways our groups and judges/assessors can share photos/stories with each other and keep connected and part of the Beautiful Scotland/It’s Your Neighbourhood/Bloom/Keep Scotland Beautiful family.
• We will find other ways to celebrate your achievements through the year e.g. through our website/social media channels etc.

Britain in Bloom, Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood are about ‘growing communities’ as much as growing plants.  This is where we see our wonderful groups, like yours, coming into their own at this time of crisis. You already have a ready-made, local social network and these could be used to support group members who are undergoing social distancing or self-isolating.  Whether this is by phone calls, emails, messaging or leaving groceries and essentials on the doorstep.  Of course, if resources, and health, permit, this voluntary support could be extended to the wider local community. KSB can be the conduit for sharing your stories of how you are helping your group members/your community which could then inspire/give other individuals and groups ideas of how they can help those in their own community without putting their own health and the health of others at risk. 

Currently the advice is for social distancing of 2 metres (we will keep a close eye on the advice provided by the Scottish Government and let you know if this changes). We all know how good for our health and wellbeing getting out in the fresh air, and doing something meaningful, is.  With this in mind, here are a few ideas you may wish to consider: 

• Could your group set up a rota so that individuals/families can go out and garden at a set time?
• Could members start their own window boxes/working in their own gardens and share hints/tips/photos with each other on-line…you could turn it into a ‘best window box’ / ‘best private garden’ competition, with the Chair of your group judging via the photos.
• Could you set up a whatsapp or skype group and stay in touch with each other regularly – e.g. you could schedule a 11am ‘coffee’ chat, where you all sit down in your own home with a cuppa and chat to each other via skype/whatsapp/phone

 I would love to hear from you if your group has any other ideas I could share with everyone.

We also don't want to lose the Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood ‘community spirit’ at this time when we are staying apart for everyone's benefit. Do you have any good ideas about how we can all stay in touch, or have a chat? Let me know. 

Coronavirus Covid-19

17 March 2020

In light of the serious and rapidly changing situation with the coronavirus Covid-19, the Trustees of the Association have taken the decision to cancel our committee meetings until further notice and to postpone our AGM until later in the year. This was a very difficult decision, but our priority has to be to protect volunteers in all of our member groups, as well as the public, during these exceptional circumstances.

We will stay in touch via our normal communications channels, including this website and our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/prideinPandK/

We will continue to closely follow government guidance about public health, guidance issued by Keep Scotland Beautiful and RHS Britain in Bloom about bloom activities and competitions, as well as the guidance published by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator https://www.oscr.org.uk/news/charities-and-coronavirus-an-update-from-the-regulator/.

 If any member group needs advice or assistance during this difficult period please get in touch. Stay well, everyone

Project Case Studies series
17 January 2020

We are developing a series of Case Studies based on the experiences of member groups who have successfully completed projects in their local communities. We hope these will help other groups understand how they can plan and deliver their own projects. The first case study is now available: it is about Kinnesswood in Bloom's Benarty View Project. 

Further studies will be published as more projects are completed. Many thanks to our Project Development Adviser Kirsten Mathison of Nicki Souter Associates for her work on these useful documents. 

 

P&K triumphs at Britain in Bloom Awards 2019!
27 October 2019

Many congratulations to two of our member groups - Beautiful Perth and Brig in Bloom, who have triumphed in the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards 2019. At the Awards ceremony in London on 25 October Scottish communities were very successful, and both the Perth & Kinross entries brought home top awards.

Perth faced stiff competition in the top Britain in Bloom category from Durham, Castlecaulfield, Kingsbridge and St Helier. In what the RHS judges described as one of the most competitive awards in recent years, all five communities won Gold Medals but Perth pipped the others at the post and was crowned the 2019 Britain in Bloom Champion of Champions, making it the best 'blooming' community in the UK! The Fair City also took home the Parks and Green Spaces Award for Riverside Park. 

Bridge of Earn, in the Large Village category, was in the Britain in Bloom finals for the first time. Members of Brig in Bloom were therefore over the moon when they won a Gold Medal, along with the Involving Children and Young People Award. And to top off the evening's successes, Brig was the category winner, making it the UK's best Large Village.

Scotland was represented in six of the 13 Award categories, winning four Gold medals, two Silver Gilts and four of the categories. As well as Perth and Bridge of Earn, St Andrews came top in the Small Coastal Communities category and Haddington won Best Town. KIrkaldy won a Silver Gilt Medal in the Small City category, and Dunfermline a Silver Gilt in the Business Districts category. 

For more information and a full list of winners go to the RHS website. For details of the Scottish successes, go to the Beautiful Scotland website.

 

Results of the Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Awards 2019 
20 September 2019

Representatives 'In Bloom' committees from across Perth & Kinross gathered in Perth’s Salutation Hotel last night to hear the results of our annual Awards competition. Entrants are judged against three criteria – Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility and Community Participation, and the levels of Awards that can be made are Bronze, Silver, Silver Gilt and Gold. There are trophies for the winner of each category, and several Judges' Discretionary Awards.

This year's judges were Gordon Croll (Chairman of the Judges), Muriel Gregory, Graham Harbut, James Larsen, Monica Straughan and Brian Cunningham (Head Gardener at Scone Palace and presenter of BBC Scotland's Beechgrove Garden). This year, there was also a special Award for the Best Solheim Cup themed display and this was judged by Tom Caldow.  

Speaking on behalf of all the judges, Gordon said: "“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. We were extremely impressed with the communities we judged and continue to be struck by the enthusiasm, energy, skill and commitment in all the places we visited.  It is very encouraging to see new groups come to the fore with innovation and energy, and the results are stunning.  The immense contribution from volunteers really makes a difference our towns and villages. It was  a great privilege to be welcomed to the communities and they have all done exceptionally well."  

Photos from the Awards ceremony are now available on our Flickr site now. High resolution versions are available - if you would like copies please email monica@beautifulperth.org listing the images you would like (hover over the pics to see the titles).

RESULTS

Small Village Category

Winner:    Kinnesswood In Bloom (Gold Medal)

Ardoch In Bloom (Silver Gilt)

Blackford is Brighter (Silver Gilt)  

Muthill In Bloom (Gold)

Large Village

Winner:    Dunkeld and Birnam In Bloom (Gold Medal)          

Glenfarg and Duncrievie In Bloom (Gold)

Luncarty and Redgorton In Bloom (Silver)                               

Milnathort In Bloom (Gold)

 Small Country Town

Winner :    Blairgowrie and Rattray In Bloom (Gold Medal)      

Auchterarder Bloom Association (Silver Gilt)

Coupar Angus Pride of Place ( Gold )

Discretionary Awards

Best Community Involvement: Blairgowrie and Rattray In Bloom

Best Youth Involvement: Luncarty and Redgorton in Bloom

Best Involvement with Schools: Kinnesswood In Bloom

Most Improved Community: Glenfarg and Duncrievie In Bloom.

Endeavour Award: Luncarty and Redgorton in Bloom

Best Solheim Cup themed display: Pitlochry In Bloom

Outstanding Contribution to the bloom campaign: 

• Judy Pirie of Auchterarder Bloom Association
• John Nicol of Kinnesswood  In Bloom.

 

2019 Beautiful Scotland Awards successes
16 September 2019

We're so proud that seven of our member groups brought home a whole bunch of medals from the 2019 Beautiful Scotland Awards! Well done to:

• Coupar Angus Pride of Place: a Gold Medal and winner of the Best Large Village Award
• Blairgowrie & Rattray in Bloom - a Gold medal
• Kinnesswood in Bloom - a Gold Medal
• Crichton Lang Court Residents' Group - a Silver Gilt Medal
• Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom - a Silver Gilt Medal
• Glenfarg & Duncrievie in Bloom - a Silver Gilt Medal
• Muthil in Bloom - a Silver Gilt Medal

Many congratulations to all involved!

And we wish the very best of luck to two more member groups who have to wait until the end of October to learn the results of the 2019 Britain in Bloom Awards. Brig in Bloom (Bridge of Earn) is in the Large Village category, and Beautiful Perth is a contender for the coveted Champion of Champions Award. Fingers crossed for you both!

RHS of Perthshire's Annual Summer Show 2019
1 August 2019

The Royal Horticultural Society of Perthshire (affectionately known as the 'Horti') is holding its Annual Summer Show in Scone on Saturday 17 August 2019. It is being held in The Burnside Halls, Burnside, Scone, PH2 6LP, 12 noon – 4.30 pm, with the prizegiving at 4pm. Refreshments will be available from 10am to 3.45pm.

For many people the Horti's spring and summer shows are occasions to visit and enjoy the beautiful flowers, displays and produce. For some gardeners it is for light-hearted rivalry between gardening enthusiasts; for others its serious competition for displaying their cherished produce. There’s room for all types of enthusiast at the Show, so everyone is welcome! For more information and to see the Show Schedule, visit the Horti's website 

Crowdfunding for new project in Blairgowrie
5 April 2019

Volunteers from Blairgowrie & Rattray in Bloom work hard all year round to ensure the town looks as good as it can and is as eco-friendly as possible. ‘Blair in Bloom’ was the first ‘Bloom’ group in Perth & Kinross and celebrated its 40^th anniversary in 2018. To celebrate this milestone the volunteers chose a new project that will renovate Coronation Corner on Croft Lane in Blairgowrie and create a lasting legacy for the town. A garden was originally planted at the corner to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, but the site has fallen into serious disrepair. The volunteers will completely redesign the area, creating accessible paths, sustainable planting and new seating, to make it a pleasant and inviting space for residents and visitors alike.  Once complete, Coronation Corner can be used as additional space for the monthly Community Markets, and for entertainment, music groups, art groups and other such community activities. To donate to fundraising for the project, please visit our Just Giving page. Thank you!

Crowdfunding for Alyth Burnside Project
2 November 2018

The Burnside project is Alyth in Bloom's most ambitious project to date. It aims to transform the area next to the Alyth Burn, which runs though the heart of the town. Overgrown vegetation will be cleared, and the burnside will become a public space from which the natural and built heritage can be enjoyed. The project will also feature some of the artistic talents of local residents. Many original features with be retained, and a new viewing area created, in the form of a cantilevered platform deck. Alyth in Bloom is now fundraising for this project. It has held a number of very successful events but more donations are always welcome. If you want to donate online, please go to the project's Just Giving Page Thank you for your support!

20th Anniversary Celebration
3 June 2018

We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, and held a Garden Party at Perth Racecourse on Friday 1 June. Past and present members of the 48 'bloom' groups currently operating across the Perth & Kinross area turned out in their finery to enjoy the afternoon, and we were honoured to be joined by the Provost and Deputy Provost. Everything was perfectly planned - but this being Scotland, the weather didn't co-operate! Not long after the formalities got underway a thunderstorm hit, with rain in the proverbial biblical proportions. The lightning blew out the power in our marquee so our carefully laid plans had to be swiftly revised, but us 'Bloomers' are made of hardy stuff, our community spirit came to the fore, so a great time was had by all! 

Congratulations not only to the winners of the Best Hat competition, but also to everyone who entered for brightening up the marquee! Our thanks (and sympathies) to founder member Euna Scott, whose excellent presentation was cruelly cut short, and to the Rock Choir who had to perform 'acapella' and did so absolutely brilliantly. Thanks also to Fergus Cook aka 'David Douglas', to cartoonist Neil Smith and to our organising committee aka Bill, Elspeth and Caroline. Photographer Ian Potter of LightPress Media & Design also did a brilliant job despite impact of the weather on light levels, and his excellent a photo album of the event can now be viewed on Beautiful Perth's Flickr site. We couldn't get the planned group photo because of the conditions, but copies of the other event photos are now available - go to the Flickr site (click the link above, hover mouse over the picture you want and you'll see the photo number;  email monica@beautifulperth.org with the number(s) you want and she will forward them to you.  

Pictures (from left): Before the deluge; Provost Melloy; Hats!

                    

Annual General Meeting
15 April 2018

We held our AGM in Coupar Angus on 14 April 2018. There was a great turnout of members who got a chance to catch up with 'bloomer' friends old and new and get hints and tips for the year ahead. We also welcomed guest speakers from East Lothian Council, Keep Scotland Beautiful's Eco Schools campaign, P&K Council's Waste team and the multi award winning North Berwick in Bloom. You can read the official papers presented to members at the meeting here (click on the titles to open the documents): Trustees' Annual Report and Annual Accounts & Treasurer's Notes

All in all, a fascinating day. Many thanks to members of Coupar Angus Pride of Place, and to the Red House Hotel, for making us feels so welcome. 

Launch of Coupar Burn Project
23 November 2017

Coupar Angus Pride of Place Chair Anne Easson and P&K Provost Dennis Melloy were joined by local volunteers, residents, businesses and project partners to celebrate the official opening of the Coupar Burn project. Go to the Pride of Place page to learn more.  

Gold medal for Coupar Angus!
30 October 2017

Many congratulations to our member group Coupar Angus Pride of Place for its success at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards 2017. Against stiff competition in the Large Village Category, the group came away with one of the much-coveted Gold Medals.

Group chair Anne Easson (above, left) is delighted with this award: "This is our third Gold medal; we also received one in 2013 and 2015. This is a well deserved reward for our dedicated team of volunteers, for their hard work around the village all through the year. Read more about the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards here. 

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Aberfeldy Lower Birks project
17 October 2017

Work is currently underway to improve the environment at the Lower Birks in Aberfeldy. Information signs are in place on site to explain the plans.

This popular area is the main gateway from the town centre to the Birks of Aberfeldy and is heavily used by locals and visitors alike. We have joined forces with local volunteers from the Aberfeldy Move 2 Improve group to create new paths, seating, a central sculpture and a picnic area in a part of the site that was previously dark and overgrown.

To fund the project £1,200 came from fundraising activities in the local community and grants were secured from the Griffin & Calliacher Community Fund (£50,000), Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Environment Challenge Fund (£15,000), and £8,841 from Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. 

Move 2 Improve Chairman Roy Cannon is pleased to see the work underway: “We have put in a great deal work to get this project underway. We had already opened up the area by clearing a lot of overgrown trees and vegetation, which made a big difference. It’s good to see the project taking shape now. We can’t wait to see the finished version! We’re very grateful to our partners the Take A Pride in P&K Association, to staff in PKC’s Community Greenspace team for their support, to Chris Palmer Associates for providing design and project management services, to site contractor Alex Butter, and of course to our funders, without whom this excellent project would not have been possible.”

Marianne Townsley, SSE’s Community Investment Manager, said: “SSE is delighted to have played an instrumental role in bringing this project to fruition. The improvement works will leave a lasting legacy for the local community and visitors to the area and we look forward to seeing its completion.”

Jenny Williams of Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Greenspace team said: “We are delighted to be working with Move 2 Improve and the Take A Pride in Perth and Kinross Association on this project.  Undoubtedly these environmental improvements will enhance our visitors experience to this extremely popular countryside site.”  

Explaining the importance of the Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER support Jackie Brierton, LEADER's Local Action Group Chair said: “The award of £8,841 towards this community project is one of a number benefiting from the £3.8 million share of LEADER and Scottish Government funds available for the development of rural communities and enterprise in Perthshire until 2020. This is a worthwhile project, which will conserve and manage the natural environment of the Lower Birks, providing a new amenity for everyone to enjoy. We are delighted to be able to support it.”

Further information about the funders can be found here.

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Take a Pride in Perth & Kinross Awards 2017
14 Sept 2017

Representatives of our 47 In Bloom committees got together in September to hear the results of the annual Take a Pride in Perth & Kinross Awards. More photos from the Awards ceremony are available on our Flickr Site here.

The judging criteria for the competition are – Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility and Community Participation – and the results are stunning!

Local judges, Kathy Miller, Graham Harbut and Ally Bruce, led by Gordon Croll, were extremely impressed with the communities they judged. 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 our towns and villages and it was   a great privilege to be welcomed to the communities and they have all done exceptionally well."

 LIST of RESULTS 2017

Wee Village
Winner: Kenmore  (Silver Gilt)
Medals: Kinloch Rannoch (Bronze)   

Small Village
Winner: Kinnesswood In Bloom (Gold)
Medals: Ardoch In Bloom (Silver Gilt), Blackford is Brighter (Silver), Blooming Balbeggie (Silver), Blooming Guildtown (Silver), Muthill In Bloom (Silver Gilt)

Large Village
Winner: Brig in Bloom (Gold)
Medals: Carse In Bloom (Silver Gilt), Comrie In Colour (Silver Gilt), Crook and Drum Growing Together (Silver), Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom (Silver Gilt), Milnathort In Bloom (Silver Gilt)

Small Country Town
Winner Auchterarder Bloom Association (Silver Gilt)

Judges' Discretionary Awards

Best Community Involvement                   Kinnesswood In Bloom
Best Involvement with Schools                 Kenmore In Bloom
Most Improved Community                       Milnathort In Bloom
Outstanding Contribution Award Avril Fulton (Brig In Bloom)
Outstanding Contribution Award             Monica Straughan (Take A Pride In Perth & Kinross Association and Beautiful Perth)
Endeavour Award Brig In Bloom
Best New Entrant Crook and Drum Growing Together

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Beautiful Scotland Award winners 2017
7 Sept 2017

We are very proud that several of our member groups achieved honours in the 2017 Beautiful Scotland Awards.

There were Gold medals for Beautiful Perth, Brig in Bloom and Comrie in Colour; Silver Gilts for Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom, Kinnessswood in Bloom and Muthill in Bloom, and a Silver for the recently formed Crichton Lang Court Residents Group. Beautiful Perth also took home the winner's trophy in the Large Town category and Kinnesswood in Bloom won the Small Village category. Congratulations to all!