Volunteers keeping Forth and Lanark beautiful

Members of Lanark in Bloom were delighted with their Silver Gilt award this year.

“We have had silver the last few years,” said chairman Ernest Romer, attributing the higher award to the hard work of the members, who now grow their own plants in the new base in their polytunnel at Castlebank Park.

Looking at the competitors, he reckoned they were the only team actually growing the plants themselves.

“That is not taken into consideration,” he added.

The winner in the small town section was Pitlochry and, looking at those taking the top awards, Ernest felt they were winning because of single outstanding features, rather than spreading their work across a whole town the way the Lanark group does.

Looking ahead to next year’s competition, he added: “I think we have to try and consolidate it, maybe do a wee bit more for the High Street,” he said.

At Forth Ann Anderson, secretary of the volunteers group, said they were delighted with the Silver Gilt again in the large village category.

“It’s testament to everyone in Forth who works so hard at keeping the place spick and span all year round,” she said.

“But we’re not resting on our laurels and plans are already being drawn up for next year’s entry to the competition.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We sometimes forget the massive impact that a clean and safe environment has on local communities. But, there is ample evidence that a good local environment can deliver a broad range of associated benefits in terms of physical and mental health and wellbeing, community cohesion and civic pride.

“South Lanarkshire has excelled this year, with four entrants being recognised for their efforts to improve their local environments. I would like to congratulate them all for their efforts to make Scotland a cleaner, greener place for us all to enjoy today and tomorrow.”