Tag: shortlist announced

Scottish Bakers announces shortlist for the 2026 Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 

Scottish Bakers has unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 Scottish Baker of the Year Awards, with bakeries from across the country competing for the industry’s most prestigious title.

This year, eight Edinburgh bakeries have been shortlisted. The shortlisted bakeries from Edinburgh include Babyfaced Baker, Company Bakery, Linzer Bakery, Mademoiselle Macaron, Mimi’s Bakehouse, Saltire Pattisserie, Selkie Bakery and WALKERS BONBON 1 LIMITED. 

The competition has already attracted national attention following its launch earlier this year, when bakers took on the challenge of creating the world’s largest empire biscuit. Highland bakery Harry Gow set the unofficial world record with an impressive 78-inch creation. 

The competition has now reached the judging stage, with 500 products from over 60 bakeries across Scotland arriving at Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline for the official judging day. 

More than 50 industry experts and media personalities came together to assess entries across 11 categories: Biscuits, Bread, Sweet Treats, Scone, Morning Roll, Morning Goods, Doughnuts, Celebration Cakes, Better For You/Free From, Multiple Retailer Product and Innovation. 

To compete for the overall title of Scottish Baker of the Year, bakeries must also enter The Baker’s Den, the business focused stage of the awards. From this, judges will choose one winner of Scottish Baker Local Hero of the Year and one winner of Scottish Baker Icon of the Year, before selecting the overall Scottish Baker of the Year from those two finalists. 

As the trade association representing Scotland’s bakery sector, Scottish Bakers has introduced a refreshed format for 2026. The new structure is designed to shine a spotlight on the industry’s Local Heroes and Icons, celebrating the breadth of talent across the country and the qualities that make Scottish baking unique.

This year will also see a new look awards ceremony, with the full event taking place across one action packed day. 

Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said: “We are delighted to return this year with a brand new format for Scottish Baker of the Year.

“We want to celebrate what makes each bakery across Scotland special, while recognising the two key groups helping the industry thrive, our Local Heroes and Icons. 

“With fairer, stronger judging, the competition will be more consistent and transparent than ever before, and we look forward to giving entrants valuable feedback to support growth across the industry. 

“We have already shown our ambition to go bigger and better in 2026 with our unofficial world record for the largest empire biscuit at the competition launch in January. That same ambition was clear again today in the outstanding range of products judged by our expert panel.” 

The overall winner of Scottish Baker of the Year, along with all Best in Category winners, will be announced at the awards on 16 May 2026 at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel. 

Since 2012, Scottish Baker of the Year has celebrated skill and excellence in Scottish baking, creating opportunities for bakeries of all sizes to showcase and strengthen their work. 

Scottish Baker of the Year is made possible with the support of Awards Partner BAKO Group, Icon Sponsor Rondo, Local Heroes Sponsor Carr’s Flour, and valued category sponsors Dawn Foods, National Food & Drink Training, Fleming Howden, Reiser, Andrew Ingredients, DMD (2000) Ltd and Puratos. 

For more information, visit bakeroftheyear.scot. 

Top councillors shortlisted in annual LGIU and CCLA national Cllr Awards

LEITH LEFT-WINGER NOMINATED FOR AWARD

40 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2025 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, the only national awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary work of councillors.

Only one – Katrina Faccenda – is a City of Edinburgh Councillor. Leith councillor Ms Faccenda is nominated in the Innovator of the Year category.

Now in their 16th year in England and 8th year in Scotland, the Cllr Awards highlight the vital contribution of councillors, often the unsung heroes of local democracy.

From championing residents’ interests to leading innovation in public services, councillors play a crucial role in shaping communities and improving lives, and they do so while giving up their time and energy for what is often a voluntary, unpaid role.

This year’s competition was extremely tight with more than 400 nominations received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Lifetime Legend. 

The full England & Wales shortlist is available here and Scotland shortlist can be found here.

Winners in England & Wales will be announced on Tuesday 18 November at the Guildhall in London while winners in Scotland will be revealed on Wednesday 5 November at the Glasgow City Chambers. 

The Cllr Awards judging panels comprise senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of individual councillors. This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said: “Our annual Cllr awards demonstrate the best of local government. With more thn 400 nominations, competition was extremely tight with inspiring stories of councillors up and down the country going the extra mile to 2improve their local area. 

“Councillors are at the heart of local democracy, working tirelessly to support their communities and drive change. These awards are about celebrating the often unseen but hugely important contribution councillors make every day.

“This year’s shortlist is a testament to the dedication, creativity and leadership shown by councillors across the country.

“Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”

Lee Jagger, Local Government, Relationship Manager, CCLA said: “Every one of the councilors on the Cllr Awards shortlist this year has had a significant and positive impact on their communities and on the lives of their individual residents.

“That’s what the councillor role is all about – ordinary people trying to make the places that we live and work better.

“CCLA is very proud to have supported these Awards from the very beginning and to be part of this important celebration of the best of local government.”

Broughton High School teacher shortlisted for Scots Language Award

The shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.

Nicola Daniel of Broughton High School is nominated for Scots Teacher of the Year for her dedication to the language in her teaching.

She is one of 45 individuals and organisations nominated who each showcase the Scots language in their own unique way. 2025 nominees hail from across Scotland and voting is open until Sunday 31st August.

The Scots tongue was given official status as a language earlier this year with the unanimous passing of the Scottish Languages Bill. Now in its seventh year, the Scots Language Awards – organised by cultural advocacy organisation Hands Up For Trad – aim to recognise the importance of the Scottish indigenous language to daily Scottish life.

Returning to Dundee, the 2025 awards will be held at Discovery Point on Saturday 6th September and hosted by Dundee’s own Taylor Dyson, who is this year’s National Library of Scotland Scots Scriever, and Scots folk singer from Angus, Lynne Campbell.

Scots Language Awards host Taylor Dyson said: “Scots is oor language – it’s intrinsically linked to oor culture and we are so proud tae celebrate it.

“This is a chance tae gie credit tae aa the guid fowk daein work in Scots. We’ll be gien oot awards tae teachers wha promote Scots in scuils, tae actors yaisin Scots on stage, fowk scrievin books for bairns an adults, as weel as aa sorts o ither awards.

“We would encourage folk tae cast a vote for the projects, poets, businesses and figures they reckon deserve it maist and why not come alang for a celebration of all things Scots in Dundee this September.”

The full list of nominees are:

Scots Writer o the Year, sponsored by National Library of Scotland

●      Josie Giles

●      Kathleen Jamie

●      Len Pennie

●      Yvonne Tait

Scots Community Project o the Year

●      Auchies Spikkin’ Auchie – Grace Stewart-Skinner

●      Blether – Dundee Scots Nicht

●      Celtic Croft – Limelight Music

●      Orkney Voices Vaigan b’ the shore

●      Seagully Blonde, Aberdeen

Scots Bairns’ Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Government

●      Foggie Bummer Rescue by Aaron Gale (Doric Books)

●      Corrie Doon by Jackie Kay (Walker Books)

●      Hirda Da Oorick (Peerie Oorick)

●      Hiya in There Wee Bairnie (NHS/Dundee Contemporary Arts)

●      The Lass and the Quine (Tippermuir Books)

Scots Teacher o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority

●      Antonia Uri, Peterhead Academy

●      Mirren Aird, Perth High School

●      Nicola Daniel, Broughton High School

●      Olivia Stephen, Meethill Primary School, Fraserburgh

Scots School o the Year

●      Meethill Primary School, Fraserburgh

●      Perth High School

●      Stanley Primary School

●      Turriff Academy

Scots Stage Production o the Year

●      Goodbye Dreamland Bowlarama by Calum Kelly and Taylor Dyson

●      Mistero Buffo (Translator: Joseph Farrell, Director: Ben Standish, A Play, A Pie and A Pint)

●      So Long Wee Moon (Braw Clan)

●      The Concert Party (Garidge Theatre)

●      The Not So Serious Burns Unit by Hamish and Liza

●      Through the Shortbread Tin (National Theatre of Scotland)

●      Up a Close (Kingsman Travelling Theatre Company)

Scots Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Book Trust

●      Bloodsongs by Mae Diansangu (Tapsalteerie)

●      Fower Pessoas – Colin Bramwell (Carcanet Press Ltd)

●      Goonie by Michael Mullen (Little, Brown)

●      Iain MacLachlain, This Is What You Get (Rymour)

●      William Soutar, Collected Poems (vols 1&2) (Tippermuir Books)

Scots Performer o the Year, sponsored by TRACS

●      Eileen Budd

●      Ellie Beaton

●      Josie Duncan

●      Lawrence Boothman

●      Robyn Stapleton

Scots in Business, sponsored by Scots Hoose

●      Braw Tea (Broughty Ferry)

●      Captain Dugwash (Airdrie) 

●      Dook (St Andrews)

●      Run4It (Dundee)

●      Scunnered Ink

●      The Selkie (Dundee)

The esteemed Scots Champion, Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award, sponsored by Creative Scotland, and the Young Scots Writer o the Year award, sponsored by Education Scotland, will be decided by a panel of judges and presented at the event.

The awards will also showcase performances from some of the finest Scots cultural practitioners including Scots singer Ellie Beaton, Slam poetry champion Hamish MacDonald and young Edinburgh vocalist Amy Leach. The event will be followed by an after party at Dundee Scots Language night Blether.

The Scots Language Awards 2025 will take place at Discovery Point, Dundee on 6th September. Voting is open until 31st August. 

Visit www.scotslanguageawards.com.

Shortlist Announced for the 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards

Celebrating 25 Years of Pie-Making Excellence, Scotland’s Top Bakers and Butchers Battle for the Ultimate Title

The heat is on in Scotland’s pie scene as the highly anticipated shortlist for the 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards is officially unveiled. After a rigorous judging process, where 539 products were put to the ultimate taste test, 58 of Scotland’s best butchers, bakers, and pie makers have been shortlisted, standing out from 88 entrants vying for top honours.

Under the scrutiny of 50 expert judges, pies were assessed for taste, touch, appearance and smell across multiple categories, from the beloved Scotch Pie to Football Pies & Savouries, Macaroni Pie, Steak Pie, Sausage Roll, Hot Savoury, Vegetarian Savoury, Haggis Savoury, Bridie, and Apple Pies. This year also introduces two exciting new categories, Lighter Options and Retailer Pie Product of the Year, showcasing the industry’s continuous evolution and innovation.

The winner of the Scotch Pie category will be crowned WORLD CHAMPION, alongside all Best in Category winners, at a prestigious awards lunch on 10 May 2025 at the Hilton Glasgow.

Scottish Bakers, the trade association championing Scotland’s bakery sector, has proudly organised this annual competition for a quarter of a century, shining a spotlight on the skill and dedication of the nation’s best pie makers.

To mark its 25th anniversary, the organisation has launched the ‘Pieoneers’ campaign, celebrating the craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation that drives Scotland’s iconic pie industry forward.

Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said: “This year marks a truly special milestone as we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards. Over the past quarter-century, this competition has become the ultimate showcase for the craft, passion, and innovation of Scotland’s butchers, bakers, and pie makers. 

“Every pie tells a story: of heritage recipes passed down through generations, of new ideas pushing the boundaries, and of the sheer dedication to producing products that are loved by communities across the country.

“We look forward to crowning our winners in May and shining a well-deserved spotlight on the very best in our industry.”

Since its launch in 1999, the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards has set the gold standard for Scotland’s pie industry, providing a platform to honour the finest craftsmanship and commitment to tradition while embracing innovation.

The 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards would not be possible without strategic partner BAKO Group, Diamond Sponsor, Carr’s Flour and our valued sponsors: Andrew Ingredients, Dalziel Group, DMD (2000) Ltd, Fleming Howden, National Food & Drink Training, Reformul8, Reiser, Rondo, Sure Recruitment, TRKR and Ulrick & Short.

The full list of companies who have been shortlisted is:

  • Aldi
  • Ann Davidsons Butchers Ltd
  • Ashers Bakery Ltd
  • Aulds Bakeries Limited
  • Bald Baker
  • Ballards Butchers 
  • Bayne’s the Family Bakers
  • Beefcake Cafe
  • Belford Butchers
  • Boghall Butchers
  • Brownings the Bakers
  • CAFEV8
  • CC’s Kitchen
  • Cooper Quality Butcher Limited
  • D H Robertson
  • D.G Lindsay & Son
  • David Stein Butchers
  • David Brownings
  • Dunbar Community Bakery
  • Fisher & Donaldson
  • Forsyths of Peebles
  • Gillespies Family Butchers
  • Goodfellow and Steven
  • Grierson Bros 
  • H&S Milne
  • Hame Bakery
  • Harry Gow Bakery
  • Irvines Ltd
  • J & H Cairns Quality Family Butchers
  • J & W Aitken Butcher (TJ Alloa Ltd)
  • J Gillespies & Sons Ltd
  • J M Bakery
  • James Pirie & Son
  • Keptie Bakery LTD 
  • Kinnaird Butcher Shop & Deli
  • Lees Takeaway & Coffee Shop
  • Macleans Highland Bakery Ltd
  • Mathieson Butchers
  • McCaskies Butcher & Cafe
  • McGhee’s Family Bakers
  • Murrays Bakers
  • Nicoll’s Rosebank Bakery
  • Pars Foods Ltd
  • Pastel Bakery
  • Pie Sports Ltd
  • Rendalls Online Butcher
  • Saltire Patisserie Ltd.
  • Strachan Craft Butchers
  • Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers
  • Sugar and Spice
  • The Apple Pie Bakery
  • The Cumbrae Butcher
  • The Kandy Bar Bakery
  • The Little Bakery
  • W F Stark
  • Walkers Bonbon 1 Limited
  • Wee COOK
  • Wrights Butchers

For more information, visit scotchpieawards.com.

UK Men’s Shed Association announce Shed of the Year Awards finalists

UK Men’s Shed Association (UKMSA) has announced the finalists for this year’s Shed of the Awards, their national award scheme which recognises groups and individuals that make a difference in their Men’s Shed and local communities.

Rob Lloyd, chair of the Trustees of UKMSA, said: “Each year entries get better and better. With more submissions than ever, and of such a high standard, this year’s finalists have really highlighted the excellent work they are all doing in their local communities.

“We know how well Men’s Shed participation helps with loneliness, social isolation and both physical and mental health. These finalists demonstrate the breadth, depth and creativity of the projects they each undertake and the impact they have on participants and the wider community”.

Last year’s overall winner, Bootle Tool Shed has designed and made the bespoke Shed of The Year trophy to hand over to the 2024 winner.

This year’s finalists by awards category are;

Health and Wellbeing Impact of the Year

  • Caerau Men’s Shed
  • Medway Men In Sheds
  • Hythe Shed (at the pier)

Shed Partnership of the Year 2024

  • Pontypridd Men’s Shed
  • Letchworth Men In Sheds
  • Broadstairs Town Shed

Shed Volunteer of the Year 2024

  • Mark Mantle, Ludlow Men’s Shed
  • David Finch, Men’s Shed Blaenau Gwent
  • Chris Oldfield, Bethlem Community Men’s Shed

Community Project of the Year 2024

  • Rhyl Men’s Shed
  • Heatons’ Men In Sheds
  • Llanfyllin Shed

Shed of the Year

  • Petersfield Men’s Shed
  • Poringland and District Men’s Shed
  • Shrewsbury Men’s Shed

All finalists have been invited by Mr Speaker, The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP to the Shed of the Year Awards and Afternoon Tea taking place in the State Rooms of the Speaker’s House in the House of Commons on International Men’s Day, Tuesday 19th November 2024.

The Shed Awards are sponsored by TiteFix, with specially designed trophies for the winners created by Carveco.

For more details please visit: https://menssheds.org.uk/shed-awards-2024/

Annual Cllr Awards shortlist unveiled

Just ONE Edinburgh Councillor makes the cut

  • 14th annual Cllr Awards shortlist unveiled
  • Local councillors from Cornwall to the Orkney Islands shortlisted for national awards

49 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2023 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, showcasing the vital contributions of councillors for the 14th year running. 

Competition was extremely tight with more than 300 nominations received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors. The categories up for grabs this year include Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Resilience Champion and Lifetime Legend 

Only one City of Edinburgh councillor has made the shortlist. Leith Labour councillor James Dalgleish (above) is in the running for the Young Councillor of the Year Award.

The winners in England & Wales will be announced at the Guildhall in London at 7pm on 16 November 2023. The winners in Scotland will be announced at the City Chambers in Edinburgh at 7pm on 21 November 2023. 

RSVP here to secure your place. 

The Cllr Awards judging panels are made up of senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of individual councillors. This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU said: “In the face of unprecedented domestic and global challenges over the last year, councillors nationwide have once again exhibited unwavering dedication to serving their constituents.

“The shortlist for the 2023 Cllr Awards represents some of the most devoted elected representatives in England, Wales and Scotland. 

“As councils continue to deliver essential services like social care and housing amid a cost of living crisis, these Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors do locally. Their work, all too often, goes unrecognised and we take great pride in featuring their stories in this year’s shortlist.

“Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”

2023 Shortlist – Scotland

Community Champion

Cllr Geva Blackett – Aberdeenshire Council

Cllr Duncan Cumming – East Dunbartonshire Council

Cllr Ruairi Kelly – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Alastair Redman – Argyll and Bute Council

Cllr Kirsten Robb – South Lanarkshire Council

Leader of the Year

Cllr John Alexander – Dundee City Council

Cllr Stephen McCabe – Inverclyde Council

Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn – Falkirk Council

Cllr James Stockan – Orkney Islands Council

Lifetime Legend

Cllr Jim Logue – North Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Ross Vettraino – Fife Council

Cllr Martha Wardrop – Glasgow City Council

Cllr David Watson – South Lanarkshire Council

Cllr Helen Wright – Dundee City Council

Resilience Champion

Cllr Chris Lunday – East Renfrewshire Council

Cllr Nairn McDonald – North Ayrshire Council

Cllr Angus Millar – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Samuel Payne – Aberdeenshire Council

Cllr Heather Woodbridge – Orkney Islands Council

Young Councillor of the Year

Cllr James Dalgleish – Edinburgh Council

Cllr Scott Hamilton – Scottish Borders Council

Cllr Dan Hutchison – Glasgow City Council

Cllr Kristopher Leask – Orkney Islands Council

Cllr Lana Reid-McConnell – Glasgow City Council

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store invites local residents to cast their votes 

Helping Your Community Grow shortlist announced

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is inviting local residents to cast their vote and help the UK’s leading garden centre crown the Helping Your Community Grow winner for the store.

Seventy-five groups across the country have the chance to create or refresh a community space with Dobbies’ support, and the garden centre is now asking locals to help narrow its shortlist down, to one winner for its Edinburgh store.

This year’s initiative has welcomed nominations from schools looking to enhance their gardens; charities supporting the most vulnerable members of the community proposing sensory gardens; and community groups and clubs looking to create a garden space where they can grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Newtongrange Community Garden is a community initiative looking to bring residents together. The group have begun growing fruit and vegetables to give back to the local community and are looking to encourage more locals to get involved. Dobbies’ help would provide the group with flowers, shrubs and peat-free compost.

Dalkeith Guerrilla Gardeners is a community initiative run by volunteers who aim to make a difference in the local area from gardening to litter picking. Funded by local donations and fundraising, Dobbies’ support would provide the group with plants, bulbs and seeds as well as watering butts to increase their sustainable practices.

Mayfield Nursery School are looking to improve the outdoor learning experience for the children through their field to folk learning scheme to help give back to the local community. With Dobbies’ support, the school are looking to grow more fruits and vegetables in their new polytunnels, as well as receive children’s gardening tools, peat-free compost and expert advice on the best varieties to grow.

There was a notable increase in the number of entries from groups looking to grow their own this year. This follows research from Dobbies and Censuswide (commissioned in March) that found 67% of people in Edinburgh plan to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs this spring. Tomatoes are set to be the most popular crop for this year, closely followed by potatoes. 

The winning group for Edinburgh will receive advice, gardening products and plants from Dobbies’ horticultural team. Dobbies’ own-brand peat-free multipurpose compost, recycled and recyclable containers, UK-sourced plants and safer pest control products are among the many products the garden centre will donate.

Notably, the project that receives the most votes from all Dobbies stores will be the national winner, receiving extra funding and support.

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “We were overwhelmed with the response to our Helping Your Community Grow initiative and have seen a significant increase in nominations, with over 800 applications for 2023.

“A huge thank you to everyone who nominated their project for our Dobbies’ Edinburgh store to support. It’s now up to the public to select the winner – our Edinburgh team are very much looking forward to seeing who this will be.”

To find out more about the Helping Your Community Grow shortlist and to cast your vote, visit Helping Your Community Grow | Dobbies Garden Centres

Votes are open until Tuesday 25 April. There is only one vote per person. The project with the most votes will be the winner. The project with the most votes across the UK will be the national winner. 

Dobbies announces Helping Your Community Grow shortlist

NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THREE FINALISTS

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is helping one community project brighten up their green space in the Lothians with its Helping Your Community Grow initiative.

This spring, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is supporting a sustainable project through its popular initiative. In recent months, community projects across Edinburgh and the Lothians were invited to nominate themselves for support and now a shortlist has been selected by local team members. People now have the chance to vote for their favourite project.

The winning project will then receive advice, products and support from their local Dobbies’ team. Sustainable products, such as peat-free compost and recycled pots, will be use wherever possible.

North Edinburgh Community Festival is looking for support to help them teach the community about how to grow their own produce and encourage them to get into gardening.

With a particular focus on the seed to plate approach and making produce last longer, Dobbies’ support would provide essential growing resources.

St Thomas of Aquin’s R.C. High School is striving to create an urban garden area for pupils, where they can learn about sustainable gardening practices and how to care for and protect the planet. 

Dobbies’ support would help the high school improve the overall wellbeing of their pupils through this green space, encourage them to get outdoors, and hopefully pique an interest in gardening. 

Ward 5 at East Lothian Community Hospital supports the elderly and cares for patients with a wide range of medical conditions and is looking to create a relaxing space for the body and mind. 

Dobbies’ resources would help the ward spruce up their outdoor terrace area with vibrant plants and planters to make it a beautiful garden for all to enjoy.

Dobbies’ CEO, Graeme Jenkins, said: “Helping Your Community Grow is a really popular initiative in Edinburgh and the Lothians and we’ve seen a great response from community groups and projects looking to make a difference to their local area.

It’s been positive to see so many projects place importance on sustainability and environmentally-friendly products.

“Now the community voting gets underway and we’re looking forward to seeing which projects receive our support.”

In addition to the Edinburgh winner, the project which receives the most votes across the UK will win the national Helping Your Community Grow title, gaining additional support from Dobbies to deliver their project.

There will be further opportunities for community groups looking to brighten up their local areas. Community groups are invited to contact their local store for details of the community initiatives available on a case-by-case basis.

Voting will remain open until 16 May.

For more information on how to register your vote, visit Helping Your Community Grow | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Stirling on the shortlist to become UK’s next City of Culture

Eight areas longlisted for UK City of Culture 2025 have been unveiled today by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

Following a record 20 bids, the eight longlisted locations are Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Bradford, Cornwall, County Durham, Derby, Southampton, Stirling and Wrexham County Borough.

Winning the prestigious title has enormous benefits with previous hosts attracting millions of pounds in additional investment, creating jobs and attracting thousands of visitors to their local area.

The places will now work with a panel of experts and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to finalise their bids before the shortlist is announced early next year.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Winning the UK City of Culture competition has a hugely positive impact on an area, driving investment, creating jobs, and highlighting that culture is for everyone, regardless of their background.

“This year’s focus is on levelling up access to culture across the country and making sure there is a legacy that continues for generations to come. I look forward to seeing what this brilliant longlist has in store as they continue in the competition.”

Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said: The Expressions of Interest stage was introduced as an opportunity to encourage many more places to experience the benefit of coming together to define and share a cultural vision for their areas, and what the longlist demonstrates is the range and depth of cultural ambition across the whole of the UK.“

Also for the first time, each longlisted city will receive financial support to help them develop their vision. Each is different. Each has its own story to tell. All share a common aim: to demonstrate how culture can act as the creative catalyst for change. I am really looking forward to seeing how each story develops.

The competition, delivered by DCMS in collaboration with the Offices for Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive, uses culture as a tool for levelling up towns and cities across the country. The longlist was recommended by an independent advisory panel which brings together a wide range of expertise from across the UK.

All bids were asked to explain how they would use culture to grow and strengthen their local area, as well as how they would use culture to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first time, this year each longlisted place will receive £40,000 to support the development of their promising proposals.

The winner will be announced in spring 2022 and will follow Coventry’s tenure as UK City of Culture 2021 to take the lead on culture in the UK in 2025.

Previous winners Hull and Derry-Londonderry have shown how the competition can deliver greater and long-lasting cultural participation, economic regeneration and local pride, whilst Coventry City of Culture 2021 is already providing a blueprint for how culture can be at the heart of social and economic recovery.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries will also be hosting a roundtable with all unsuccessful bidders to discuss how best they can be supported.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “I’m particularly pleased that Stirling is in the running for this prestigious award. With its fascinating history and vibrant creative scene, it’s a strong contender for the title.

“The list of cities announced today is testament to the outstanding creativity and culture across the UK. I look forward to seeing proposals develop as Stirling strives to bring the UK City of Culture to Scotland for the first time.”