Community given credit for RHS Beautiful Britain Bloom Floral Awards awards

Sep 30 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTH’S latest win in the RHS Beautiful Britain Bloom Floral Awards has been credited to a determined community effort.

As revealed in Friday’s PA, volunteers from the Beautiful Perth committee collected the latest gold award and “Large Town/Small City” accolade.

But Euna Scott, committee chairman, yesterday stressed: “We are now gunning for double figures but none of this would have been possible without the enthusiastic support of the business community and the many volunteers who put in hours of work during the course of the year.”

Perth was on the receiving end of praise from a judging panel which visited the city incognito earlier in the year, and again in August for the official assessment.

Euna said: “Every year it is getting more and more difficult to stand out because everyone is raising their standards. Other towns and cities realise the benefits to tourism and the local economy for picking up these awards.

“We were in the biggest category and there were nine finalists. So it was a real thrill to receive recognition for Perth.”

Euna noted that the committee had a waiting list this summer for businesses requiring floral baskets.

“It’s a real community effort and that was recognised by the judges. Everyone has to pull together. The people at PUSH and Checkin created the displays in King Street, Mill Street and on the Queen’s Bridge; Community Service had a great input; local schools combined for the display at the Leisure Pool; school grounds were impressive and the eco-schools also shone.

“The committee, which spearheads the charity, is grateful to all the volunteers who made the latest win possible.

“Other contenders spoke very favourably about Perth and Kinross and said they enjoyed coming to the area for a visit, taking in the shops and restaurants as well as the floral displays.”

Eye-catching projects this year ranged from Muirton to Bowerswell memorial home.

Euna said: “We started in 1990 and this is our eighth British award.”