Beautiful Scotland judges visit Aberdeen

04 August 2015

Two judges from Beautiful Scotland were taken on a tour of green spaces around Aberdeen today as they examined City Council and community efforts for an annual competition.

Steven Mitchell and Julia Cordon met Aberdeen City Council officers and some of the 92 community groups which have shaped the city's entry into the competition.

They were taken on a tour around many of the city's green spaces including Duthie Park Johnston Gardens, Union Terrace Gardens, Walker Dam, Hazlehead Park and Seaton Park.

The judges also saw other environmental projects carried out at North Deeside Road, Cults, Great Southern Road school beds, 30 hanging baskets made by the schoolchildren from Hazlehead Primary, Hazlewood School and Kingsford School on Hazlehead Avenue, Hazlewood School, planting by Ferryhill Primary School at Duthie Park Winter Gardens with bee-friendly plants, and hanging baskets on display made during Aberdeen City Council-run workshops, and the participants included schoolchildren and social enterprise groups.

Several groups welcoming the judges at Duthie Park and others said goodbye at St Machar Cathedral with photographic displays of their work. These community groups include: Friends of Hazlehead, Friends of Duthie Park, Garthdee Fields Allotments Association, Nether Loirston Growers Association, Cove in Bloom, Culter in Bloom, Allotment market stall, Rock Garden Club, Friends of Seaton Park; Friends of Victoria & Westburn Park, Dyce in Bloom, and Powis residents.

Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam said: "The work carried out by community groups and City Council parks and grounds services staff is outstanding and I'm very proud of our colourful flower beds and green areas all over the city.

"These beautiful green spaces and parks are used and appreciated by residents and visitors all year round and are great places for families and friends to spend time together.

"I hope the judges enjoyed their tour around the city and learned about all the exciting projects which have taken place."

The judges were told about the city's horticultural achievements in the past year, what community groups have done, and schemes showing environmental responsibility.

The horticultural achievements included the Garden In Bloom competition, displays of spring bulbs such as crocus or daffodils, window boxes, street planters, sponsored roundabouts and beds, hanging baskets, the Duthie Park Winter Gardens, and the schools' design a bed competition.

The community groups include schools, churches, community gardening clubs, third sector organisations, Hazlehead Grove Nursery, community clean-ups, wildflower seed sowing, parks, and Aberdeen Spring Flower Show.

Projects showing environmental responsibility include East Tullos Burn, wildflower strips on the A90, the return of the red squirrels, the RSPB Dolphin Watch scheme, the Scottish Seaside Awards, Big Belly solar-powered bins, and a hot water weed control system.

The winners of the Beautiful Scotland competition will be announced on September 10.