Aberdeenshire communities presented with awards

Inverurie Environmental Improvement Group hosted the Keep Scotland Beautiful 2022 Awards for the Aberdeenshire communities who took part in the #BeautifulScotland and #ItsYourNeighbourhood competitions.

The event was held at the Garioch Heritage Centre and the accolades were presented by our judges Terry Stott and Sandy Scott.

The It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards were presented by judge Ian Mitchell.

The It’s Your Neighbourhood 2022 Awards went to:

• Aboyne Green Spaces Group: Level 3 – Advancing.
• EAGerBunch – Ellon Academy Gardeners: Level 4 – Thriving.
• Kincardine O’Neil In Bloom: Level 5 – Outstanding and Certificate of Distinction.
• Ury Riverside Park SCIO: Level 5 – Outstanding.

The Beautiful Scotland 2022 Awards were presented to:

• Brighter Bervie: Certificate of Recognition – Coastal Village.
• Inverurie Environmental Improvement Group: Gold – Medium Town.
• Stonehaven Horizon Project: Gold – Best Coastal Town and Year of Stories.

Juliette Camburn, our community project officer, said: “It was an honour and a privilege to represent Keep Scotland Beautiful at this celebration event, organised and hosted by Inverurie Environmental Improvement Group, and to finally get together in-person.

"The event enabled us to thank and celebrate all Aberdeenshire groups who took part in our national Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood programmes this year, groups who work tirelessly to enhance their communities for people, for nature and for the planet.

"Our thanks also to the local authority staff and the communities who support the groups. We hope we can celebrate, support and recognise more Aberdeenshire communities in 2023.

John Glover, Inverurie Environmental Improvement Group chairman, said: “The Keep Scotland Beautiful ceremony was a lovely occasion for Aberdeenshire community groups and volunteers to receive their awards.

"It was an opportunity for volunteers to network with other like-minded individuals.

"We should never underestimate the importance of meeting in-person and networking as was shown at the awards ceremony.

"It is a form of regeneration as people come away from these events feeling inspired and motivated.

"It makes all their individual endeavours worthwhile and for the benefit of their communities”.

Find out more and join the Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood schemes via our website.