Granite City triumphs at Beautiful Scotland awards
Aberdeen scooped an impressive 11 awards last night.
Aberdeen scooped an impressive 11 awards at the Beautiful Scotland awards last night.
Aberdeen City Council and six groups from across the city were awarded the accolades.
The awards recognise work carried out to clean up and green up areas.
Aberdeen received a Gold Award and was named as the City Category overall winner, and it was also presented with the David Welch Memorial Award for Something Special for the exceptional David Welch Winter Gardens in Duthie Park.
It also received the Discretionary Royal Horticultural Society Scotland Award for Overcoming Adversity in recognition of the rejuvenation undertaken at Seaton Park following storms and flooding in late 2015 and early 2016.
Powis Residents Group also received a Silver Gilt Award and was named as the Flatted Community Category overall winner.
The group were also presented with the Discretionary Jim Murdie Trophy for Sustainability recognising its innovative approach to community gardening, including reusing and recycling materials to create features enhancing their green space.
Aberdeen Inspired, Cove in Bloom, Culter in Bloom and Dyce in Bloom all won silver prizes.
Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Aberdeen can rightly be proud that once again we have received a Gold Award at the annual Beautiful Scotland awards.
“Our city has amazingly beautiful parks and green spaces and it’s wonderful that the hard work, effort and enthusiasm put in by our staff, partners and volunteers has received the recognition it deserves.
“I would like to extend congratulations to all our winners and express my thanks for all their endeavours over the last year.”
The event, which brought almost 300 delegates from across Scotland together in the city to receive their awards, saw George Anderson of the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden present almost 50 accolades - recognising the significant number of entrants into the gold anniversary competition.
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the Beautiful Scotland 2016 award winners.
"Quality local environments are vital to vibrant communities and good for business - helping to nurture respect for local places and improve wellbeing.
“All our Beautiful Scotland entrants have committed a lot of their own time and energy to make sure that Scotland’s outdoor spaces are kept clean, green and beautiful.
"The Beautiful Scotland awards ceremony provides the opportunity to showcase the role that they have played in making a difference.
"It is vital that we reward their efforts and celebrate their achievements.”
Liz Stewart Development Manager for RHS Scotland said: “We are delighted that the RHS Scotland Award for Overcoming Adversity is awarded to Seaton Park, in recognition of the incredible hard work and sheer determination shown by council staff, the Friends group and local volunteers, who worked together to bring the Park back to its former glory.”