FOUR environmental community groups have earned the recognition of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for their efforts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
RHS runs two annual environmental improvement programmes in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful; the Beautiful Scotland campaign and the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative. Both look to honour those who work hard to make communities prosper and flourish, volunteers of community gardens and allotments, and groups working to conserve local habitats and wildlife.
Acknowledged by the Beautiful Scotland campaign were the People’s Project in Dumfries, Brighten up Kirkconnel and the New Luce Gardening Group, whose efforts to keep communities flourishing remained consistent during lockdown.
Meanwhile, the Base Summerhill Youth Project were among the winners of the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative for their artistic intuitive work around Dumfries.
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We know that lockdown resulted in many people reconnecting with green and blue spaces local to them. Yet, it has also been a particularly challenging year for the communities who strive every year to protect and enhance the places they live and work in.
“We have been amazed by the desire of communities, volunteers and local authorities to stay connected, motivated and inspired by each other, all with a steadfast determination to do things to make a difference, even if this had to be done differently this year.
“I’d like to thank all the groups in Dumfries and Galloway for the efforts they have made to keep Scotland beautiful this year.”
Andrea Van Sittart, from RHS, added: “It’s truly inspiring that so many Scottish communities continued to support others in need this year. Congratulations to all groups on their amazing efforts.”
