Four Keep Scotland Beautiful groups named as RHS UK finalists

Four groups which were successful in our Beautiful Scotland competition have reached the Royal Horticultural Society’s UK-wide Britain in Bloom final. Results will be announced at the prestigious award ceremony in October.

Bonnie Blantyre, Aberdeen Communities Together, Kinnesswood in Bloom and East Haven Together have made the finals.

Bonnie Blantyre will compete in the Large Town category, Aberdeen Communities Together in the City category, East Haven Together in the Coastal category and Kinnesswood in Bloom in the Village category.

Forty-four groups from across the UK will be competing in 10 categories. Judges will tour the UK between 24 July and 11 August, with the results being revealed at the awards in October (date and location TBC).

Dr Susan Lindner-Kelly, founder of Bonnie Blantyre, said: “Bonnie Blantyre  is a whole community effort. Our work encompass effort from not only our amazing volunteers, but our kind-hearted community, including residents, local businesses and the Ground Services team at South Lanarkshire Council. Together, we make Blantyre as special as it can be. 

“We witness so much kindness on a regular basis - it's magical! People want us to succeed and have our backs, they want Blantyre to be bonnie. 

“We are delighted to be representing our wonderful Town in Britain and Bloom. We want to showcase how amazing our people and Town is. We can't wait to show the judges around.”

East Haven Together’s Wendy Murray said: “East Haven Together are delighted to have been put forward to represent Scotland in the RHS Britain in Bloom awards this year. 

“East Haven first took part in the Beautiful Scotland initiative in 2014 when they were awarded a Silver Gilt. The group could never have believed then that they would become joint winners of the Beautiful Scotland Rosebowl in 2022 and be selected for the Britain in Bloom awards for a second time. 

“This is the second time we have been nominated to represent coastal communities at the UK level. We achieved a Gold Award and Best in Category in 2018, so we are very proud to have been selected to represent Scotland again.

“All the work we carry out in support of the Beautiful Scotland and Britain in Bloom awards helps to make East Haven a good place to live and visit.”

Kinnesswood in Bloom’s Norma Smith said: “The aims of Kinnesswood in Bloom are to make the village a pleasant place to live, work, relax and welcome visitors.

“We like to create opportunities for community involvement and take care of the environment as well as promote the heritage of the area.

“We take particular pride in our involvement with the local primary school. Our Beautiful Scotland judges said: ‘The relationship matches the curriculum and is a benchmark for all primary schools to follow’.

“We have won many awards over the years, the local Kinross Best Village, Take a Pride in Perthshire and the Beautiful Scotland Awards. In the last few years, we have had a consistent Gold, and in 2022 won Best Small Village as well as a Discretionary Young People Award for our work with Portmoak Primary School.

“We’re thrilled to be finalists at this year’s Britain in Bloom awards. We were so pleased that all the hard work had paid off.

“Well done to all the villages, towns, cities and neighbourhood groups who do so well to make Scotland such a lovely place to live and to visit.”

Aberdeen City Council’s Communities, Housing, and Public Protection Convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “All of us involved with Aberdeen Communities Together are delighted to be finalists at this year’s Britain in Bloom awards.

“We had a fantastic end to 2022 as we were crowned joint Keep Scotland Beautiful winner of the Rosebowl prize and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Award at the Beautiful Scotland celebration.

“Our main aim is to continue to make Aberdeen a desirable place to live, work, study, visit and do business. Recognition like this is a wonderful bonus and testament to the amazing efforts of our volunteers and staff.”

Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “It’s fantastic to see four of our Beautiful Scotland groups reach the RHS Britain in Bloom UK finals.

“All of our Beautiful Scotland groups do so much spectacular work in their communities, through the preservation and enhancement of their neighbourhoods, and to see four groups reach the finals highlights how important and appreciated their work is.

“They are fully deserving of their place, and I wish them the best of luck.”

Kay Clark, RHS Community Development Manager, said: “Across the UK, groups are enjoying the benefits gardening brings, both to their local communities and to their own wellbeing. These groups are also trailblazers, trialling innovative ways to tackle environmental issues and engage their wider communities in the most pressing challenges.”

Interested in your community representing Scotland in the UK finals? Start your journey by registering for our free Beautiful Scotland initiative now. Find out more and take part here.