Lauder cleans up at award ceremony

Representatives of Lauder in Bloom picked up an outstanding achievement award at the It’s Your Neighbourhood prize-giving, organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Awarded an almost perfect score of 98% for their efforts and commitment to improving the town’s community spaces, team members were delighted to improve on their thriving award last year in what is only their second year of entering the competition.

Volunteer Ray Theedam Parry said: “We were very pleased with that.

“It is not just about pretty planters – it is about involving the community and being environmentally-friendly.

“This year, we worked with a lot of diferent community groups on various projects including building a pallet garden and planting sunflowers in the school.

“We have a committe of four and at least 10 regular volunteers, but our numbers can rise to about 100 helpers in some shape or form, whether that is donating raffle prizes or helping water plants during the summer.”

More than 200 people gathered at the It’s Your Neighbourhood awards ceremony in Stirling to commemorate the hard work of volunteers in helping to clean up and green up their community spaces.

Chairman of the Board of charity trustees for Keep Scotland Beautiful, Lindsay Montgomery, said: “These awards are designed to celebrate community effort to improve local environments Scotland-wide.

“From litter picking to bulb planting, all of these activities help to create vibrant communities, nurture respect for local places and improve wellbeing.”

“We are seeing the groups which participate in our community growing initiatives demonstrating a real drive and commitment towards improving local areas as well as making a significant difference to neighbourhoods across Scotland.”