"Blooming" Success - A Continuing Story!
(continued)
In 1993, Perth and Kinross Council, impressed by the growing enthusiasm and success of the “Perth in Bloom Campaign”, committed itself to spreading the Perth model across the area. This became known as the “Take a Pride in Perthshire Campaign”. Euna was appointed full time co-ordinator to enthuse and stir community volunteers, businesses and schools into action.
13 years down the line the partnership continues to successfully blossom and flourish, with 30 “in bloom” groups throughout the Perth and Kinross area.
Each local community working within the campaign banner is unique and reflects the campaign aims eg Move2Improve in Aberfeldy; Pride of Place in Coupar Angus; Take a Pride in Meigle; Crieff in Leaf and Muthill in Bloom, to name but a few. Each local community group has it own identity; sets its own targets; controls and prioritises its own community need. Each local community needs volunteers to drive the campaign forward; local residents, schools, the business community, in fact, if everyone contributes just a little, the community can achieve a lot - and it shows!
The local committees’ key areas of activity centre on:
- Environmental improvements and conservation initiatives
- Rehabilitation derelict sites and landscaping improvements
- Promoting absence of litter, graffiti and dog fouling
- Encouraging residents to reduce, reuse and recycle
- Encouraging and active participation in biodiversity
- Involving schools in environmental and educational projects
- Heightening awareness in the eco-school programme
- Publicity and promotion on care of the environment
- Landscape and floral enhancement
- Fund-raising and seeking financial to support to their activities
Euna Scott comments “ Even after 13 years of activity some people are still of the opinion that the campaign is mostly about the floral displays and hanging baskets. Important though these are to attracting tourists, there is a raft of other environmental activities local Committees undertake. These are sometimes less glamorous than the high profile floral displays. However, it is fair to say the Perth and Kinross area has excelled in the quality of the floral displays. This has been recognised in the winning of numerous awards in both Scotland in Bloom and Britain in Bloom.
Perth won the Britain in Bloom Special Award for the Best Bedding displays in the UK in 2004, no mean feat when competing against places like Bath, Harrogate, St. Helier and not forgetting Aberdeen!
In 1998 the “Take a Pride in Perthshire Campaign” reached another milestone in development. People’s motivation and increasingly successful outcomes, led the 30 Bloom committees to form a Charitable Association call the “Take a Pride in Perthshire Association”. The Association is actively managed and administered by its members with an elected Executive Committee. In 2000 the Association was successful in securing Landfill Tax Credits to retain a Project Development Advisor to assist in the delivery of both large and small sustainable environmental improvement projects originated by local in bloom groups.
These have included :-
- Aberfeldy Town Square
- Scotlandwell – the Well Community Garden
- Alyth and Comrie Village – War Memorials
- Perth – Letham Rannoch Road Environmental Improvements
to name but a few.
The success of the “Take a Pride in Perthshire Campaign” was recognised in 2000 when the Royal Horticultural Society, promoters of Britain in Bloom, invited Euna Scott to give the Keynote Address in Durham Cathedral to 500 invited delegates from across the UK. This was so successful that she was invited to repeat the address in 2004 at the RHS National Show at Tatton Park held in Knutsford, Cheshire. Euna says “if you have a good product there is no point hiding it under the bushes. It is for that reason that Perth has twice hosted the Scotland in Bloom Award Ceremony, as has Pitlochry.
In 2006 Perth in Bloom in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council were delighted to host the Britain in Bloom Annual Award Ceremony, with the chosen venue of the Perth Concert Hall. The experience of hosting it previously in 1997 greatly assisted in its organisation and numerous letters were received from delegates throughout the UK praising the event.
Euna says “The award ceremony would not have been possible were it not for the local companies giving financial support. The “help in kind”, the voluntary work of the Committee and friends, Perth and Kinross Council “ground force” staff and a raft of floral artists who arranged thousands of donated sunflowers all worked together to ensure the venue looked absolutely stunning. This was partnership working at its best! Many UK delegates took a holiday whilst in the area so the financial benefit to Perth of 450 delegates attending the ceremony was undoubtedly significant”.
Every year there are new challenges around the corner and 2007 will be no different. Everyone is waiting with baited breath to hear whether the Calyx will be successful in its Lottery bid. A successful bid will be a huge boost for the area, and of course the Take a Pride in Perthshire Campaign!
|
