Beautiful Scotland 2023 judges given a guided tour of town by Forres In Bloom
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A GROUP of hard-working volunteers ensured the town looked its best for a visit from the judges of a national competition.
Adjudicators from Beautiful Scotland 2023 were given a guided tour by Forres In Bloom (FIB) that showed off displays at the Wee FIBees Garden, Clovenside cemetery, Cluny Hill, Forres Golf Course, St Leonard’s Road, Sanquhar, the War Memorial, Market Green, Grant Park, High Street and Tolbooth Street.
FIB secretary Sandra Maclennan confirmed conditions were ideal for showing Forres in its best light.
She said: “The weather and the tour were glorious.
“The judges were very appreciative of all our efforts. We had an enjoyable time showing them the work of FIB and our partners from the Green Spaces User Group.”
Beautiful Scotland celebrates communities’ environmental improvement.
Administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, a member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Bloom Federation, it recognises the efforts of local authorities, communities and businesses that work tirelessly to improve their local cities, towns and villages. The groups nurture plants, organise local environmental awareness campaigns and encourage volunteer participation to improve the places where they live and work.
Pairs of experienced volunteer judges visit as part of a national tour during the first two weeks of August.
Three themes are examined – horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility – to judge which communities have most successfully developed the attractiveness, cleanliness and sustainability of the places they care for.
Medal certificates, category awards including the prestigious Rosebowl, and discretionary awards for outstanding performance in areas such as biodiversity, tourism, and community involvement will be announced at an award ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh on Friday, September 8.
Some of the winners from Beautiful Scotland 2023 will go on to represent Scotland in the UK-wide RHS Britain in Bloom Finals in 2024.
