Double victory for Perth at floral awards

Sep 26 2008 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH is celebrating a double victory at this weeks RHS Britain Bloom Floral Awards.

The Fair City won Gold AND scooped the Large Town/Small City Category at the ceremony, attended by over 450 gardening enthusiasts and community champions, at Chester Race Course.

RHS judges Mark Wasilewski and Jim Goodwin were fulsome in their praise: Even on a dull day no-one would leave un-impressed by the commitment to floral display in this Scottish town or of the presentation of green space.

Continued projects to pedestrianise parts of the shopping centre have enhanced the experience for the visitor.

A wide range of community activities takes place in all sectors of the entry embracing a diverse range of projects and there exists an impressive working relationship between the council and the Bloom committee. Truly a Fair City.

In the Small Village Category, the Kinross-shire village of Scotlandwell also received a Silver Gilt Award.

RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Shredded Wheat, presented 69 finalist communities, selected from over 1,000 competitors, with awards of gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze on Wednesday.

The 69 finalists were judged during the summer by RHS judges who travelled the length and breadth of the UK using every conceivable form of public transport available.

Each entrant was judged on their floral displays, permanent landscaping, sustainable development, environmental initiatives, public awareness and community participation.

Roger Burnett Chair of the National Britain in Bloom Judging panel said: Despite the poor summer weather the finalists proved what can be achieved when communities work together.

Britain in Bloom has, in the past, been seen as a floral competition, judged on the quality and quantity of hanging baskets and bedding plants. However with the recent shift towards sustainable planting and environmental responsibility, we are seeing fantastic innovation not only in style of planting but in the choice of plants used.