East Haven takes gold in Britain in Bloom awards

East Haven Together won Gold in the Coastal Category, alongside Lytham in Bloom, at the event, run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Britain in Bloom celebrates the groups across the country making positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action. Finalists were visited throughout the summer to be judged against criteria with the environment, community engagement and horticulture at their core.

Representatives joined volunteers from 44 other groups to compete across 10 categories to be selected as the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful place in the UK.

The Angus group was one of four Scottish representatives at the finals, alongside Aberdeen Communities Together, Kinnesswood in Bloom and first-time UK finalists Bonnie Blantyre.

There was further success as members Jack Reid and Anne and Ian Bancroft were recognised with an RHS Community Champion award.

Jack has been volunteering with the group for five years, contributing to an extensive range of community activities all year round and was appointed as a trustee last year.

Anne and Ian have led on the community gardens and boat maintenance since 2014, working tirelessly year-round. They have also shared their horticultural knowledge with volunteers and help plan seasonal activities and plant maintenance programmes. They are heavily involved in conserving and protecting the Small Blue Butterfly, with Anne growing Kidney Vetch, its sole food plant, from seed.

Juliette Camburn, from Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “This is a wonderful achievement and presents another opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the volunteers who make a significant contribution towards helping to improve their local environment, halt biodiversity loss and protect and enhance nature. We love their commitment to keeping their part of Scotland beautiful and would like to thank them for all they do. Their efforts are appreciated.”