Green day for Cumbernauld groups

Keep Scotland Beautiful recognised the work of Cumbernauld groups at a recent award ceremony.
Beautiful Scotland judges are pictured during a visit to the town earlier this year.Beautiful Scotland judges are pictured during a visit to the town earlier this year.
Beautiful Scotland judges are pictured during a visit to the town earlier this year.

The It’s Your Neighbourhood accolades awards ceremony took place in Stirling’s Albert Halls on Wednesday, October 30.

Aimed at community groups making environmental improvements, the non-competitive It’s Your Neighbourhood campaign gives support and recognition to those cleaning up and ‘greening’ up their immediate local areas: from the street they live in, to a patch of communal land, or a shared outdoor space.

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The campaign is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society and, in Scotland, is supported by McDonald’s.

Pam Whittle, president of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society who presented the awards, announced that the following groups from Lanarkshire had achieved - Carbrain and Hillcrest Community Council - Thriving; Condorrat Tenants and Residents Association, Community Garden/Allotment - Outstanding; Friends of Cumbernauld House Park - Developing; Hope Community Garden - Developing and Seafar and Ravenswood Community Council - Developing.

The Condorrat Tenants and Residents Association were also presented with a Certificate of Distinction to recognise the continuous achievement that the groups have made to their piece of Scotland.

It’s Your Neighbourhood attracts the interest of hundreds of volunteers who commit thousands of hours to looking after their communities on a voluntary basis each year.

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A total of 88 groups were visited during the summer by volunteer advisors so that the three themes - community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement – could be discussed and assistance offered.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted that fifteen groups in Lanarkshire have been recognised with It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards this year.

“I would like to congratulate everyone who is involved in these projects, and would also like to commend the groups for helping to make Lanarkshire, and Scotland a cleaner, greener place for us all to enjoy today and tomorrow - through community participation, gardening achievement, and taking responsibility for tackling the criminal activity of littering and dog fouling, It’s Your Neighbourhood groups make a massive difference to our country.”

Pam Whittle, President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and Chair of Greenspace Scotland, added: “There is no doubt that encouraging greater community involvement in tackling and developing the local environment helps promote local pride.

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“Volunteers undertake a tremendous range of activities and practical projects, including community gardens, allotments, working with local schools and the less attractive litter picking.

“It all helps and these awards recognise the tremendous effort and contribution made by volunteers.”