Three groups reach Britain in Bloom UK finals

Three groups from the Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network have reached the Britain in Bloom UK finals.

Brighten up Kirkconnel (Dumfries and Galloway), North Berwick in Bloom (East Lothian) and Blooming Haddington (East Lothian) are three of the 44 UK finalists in the Royal Horticultural Society's competition.

Brighten up Kirkconnel are nominated in the Small Village category and are first time finalists).

North Berwick in Bloom are nominated in the Coastal category - they last reached the UK finals in 2024 where they received a Gold and aCommunity Champion Award for Alex Hutchinson.

Blooming Haddington are nominated in the Town category - they last reached the UK finals in 2019, winning a Gold, Best Town and Discretionary Award - Gardening in a changing climate)

All three groups were also successful in the 2025 Beautiful Scotland awards.

Juliette Camburn, our Senior Officer, Community Initiatives, said: "Congratulations to our three brilliant groups on making the Britain in Bloom UK finals.

"It's wonderful to see North Berwick in Bloom and Blooming Haddington make their return to the finals, and extra special for Brighten up Kirkconnel making an appearance for the first time.

"Britain in Bloom demonstrates how convening people around gardening can play a significant role in unifying communities and these three groups, and all of our Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network groups, epitomise this.

"Best of luck to all three and congratulations once again!"

Pak Ling Wan, RHS Community Programme Manager, said: “Community gardening groups taking part in Britain in Bloom are improving people’s health and wellbeing, fostering place-based community cohesion, increasing access to nature and delivering environmental benefits.

"Across the UK, volunteers are making a real difference to the places we live, and the Bloom UK finals is recognising Bloom groups for their outstanding contribution.”

We're looking for more groups to join our Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network. Come and help us protect and enhance biodiversity, reduce the negative impacts of climate change and make where you live more beautiful and more climate and nature friendly.

We're hosting a free online open session on Tuesday 24 February from 7-8pm for groups and individuals to find out more, meet other groups and our volunteers. Email cnfcn@keepscotlandbeautiful.org to book a place.