18 Edinburgh community groups recognised for commitment to keeping Scotland beautiful
Today, 11 November, over 200 community groups from across Scotland have been recognised by environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, for their efforts to support and enhance their local communities, for the climate and for nature.
At a virtual 2021 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood Seminar and celebration event, 18 It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants from Edinburgh were congratulated for their efforts with a certificate of achievement (see table below), with four also receiving a Certificate of Distinction for continuous improvement.
In addition, Friends of Starbank Park also won second place in the NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Awards.
Catherine Gee, Deputy CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “With the world’s biggest and most important climate change conference to date taking place in Glasgow this week, it is brilliant to be celebrating the work of these communities in Edinburgh who are taking action now.
“We know that across Scotland people are committed to improving and enhancing the places that they care about. And, through the It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants we hear of people doing their bit to understand their own greenhouse emissions and to support nature in the places they care about. These people are making a real difference and I would like to thank them for inspiring us every day.”
This year, three NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friends Awards were presented at the seminar and Friends of Starbank Park, scooped second place, winning £150.
Jim Jeffrey, Pollinator Strategy Manager with NatureScot, who announced the award said: “Once again the Keep Scotland Beautiful Pollinator Friendly Award has attracted a host of interesting entries. The standard just gets better each year.
“Making space for nature, as we face up to the twin threat of climate change and biodiversity loss, has never been more important, and each of the community groups in this category have impressed with the range of actions they are taking.
“The winning projects were among a of number of great examples showing how working together we can help pollinators, whilst making our communities and green spaces more appealing, and fantastic places to spend time in.”
The annual seminar celebrated everything that the entrants, from 30 local authority areas, have achieved in their communities to combat climate change and support biodiversity.
Entrants have also worked to enhance their neighbourhoods, involve the community, and improve areas through gardening and horticulture while tackling litter and other environmental quality challenges.
Speakers included representatives from various entrants from across Scotland, sharing their inspiring stories and delegates also heard about the exciting opportunity to get involved with Scotland’s Climate Festival.
It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants were visited by one of 23 trained volunteer assessors who provide their support, expertise and guidance through the It’s Your Neighbourhood framework which is a part of the UK-wide RHS Britain in Bloom campaign.
RHS Community Development Manager Kay Clark said: “Community gardening groups are showing that, through their work, they can bring communities together, transform outdoor spaces and work in support of wildlife and the local environment.
“They are showing that gardening has a role to play in addressing the challenges that we collectively face and that is every reason to celebrate.”
If you would like to join the #OurBloom family, gain access to support and advice, and help us to keep Scotland beautiful, online registration for 2022 will open in mid-January on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.
The Edinburgh entrants and their results can be found in the table below:
| Group Name | Local authority area | IYN Certificate 2021 | Level 2021 | Certificate of Distinction 2021 |
| Balerno Village Gardeners | City of Edinburgh | Outstanding | 5 | Y |
| Craigentinny Community Gardening Project | City of Edinburgh | Improving | 2 | |
| Ferry Road Allotments | City of Edinburgh | Outstanding | 5 | |
| Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden | City of Edinburgh | Thriving | 4 | Y |
| Friends of Lauriston Castle Estate | City of Edinburgh | Advancing | 3 | |
| Friends of Morningside Cemetery | City of Edinburgh | Thriving | 4 | |
| Friends of Saughton Park | City of Edinburgh | Outstanding | 5 | |
| Friends of Starbank Park (NatureScot IYN Pollinator Friendly Award – second place) | City of Edinburgh | Outstanding | 5 | Y |
| Heart of Newhaven | City of Edinburgh | Advancing | 3 | |
| Inch View Care Home | City of Edinburgh | Thriving | 4 | |
| Inspiring Hillside | City of Edinburgh | Advancing | 3 | |
| Inverleith Allotments | City of Edinburgh | Outstanding | 5 | |
| Kirkliston in Bloom | City of Edinburgh | Establishing | 1 | |
| Lochend Community Growing Project | City of Edinburgh | Outstanding | 5 | Y |
| Northfield Community Growing Group | City of Edinburgh | Advancing | 3 | |
| The Lions’ Gate | City of Edinburgh | Advancing | 3 | |
| The Sorted Project | City of Edinburgh | Improving | 2 | |
| Victoria After School Club | City of Edinburgh | Thriving | 4 |