Muthill has been awarded a Silver Gilt award in the Village category of the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition.
Chairperson of Muthill in Bloom Susan Crawford, Lily Crawford one of MIB’s founders and vice chair Donald Hood made the long trip to Guernsey for the awards ceremony on Saturday which was attended by 450 community gardening champions.
Matt Baker, host of BBC TV’s The One Show, made the presentations.
More than 1,200 UK communities, from big cities to tiny villages, participate each year in the RHS campaign to green-up and clean-up Britain. Of these, Muthill was amongst just 72 finalists chosen for the 2012 finals.
A record 24 Gold medals were awarded along with 37 Silver-Gilts.
Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom UK Judging Panel, Roger Burnett, led a team of 14 volunteer judges who toured the UK in July and August visiting each finalist.
They marked against three key criteria - horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.
Roger said: “We had the privilege and pleasure of visiting the most environmentally-aware communities in Britain and meeting the wonderful people responsible for them.
“The best thing about being a judge is meeting the volunteers. They’re hard-working and resilient – whatever’s thrown at them, whether it’s a hosepipe ban or flooding, they’ll find a way around it. It’s a hugely comforting thought to know that there are more than 200,000 Britain in Bloom volunteers across the UK.”
Last year, the RHS released a report demonstrating how RHS Britain in Bloom benefits the physical, social and economic health of the country.
Judges were impressed with the high standard in the Village category with five villages receiving Silver gilt awards and one a gold. Commenting on Muthill, they said: “As a second time entry into the UK finals of Britain in Bloom, this small Perthshire village has come on in leaps and bounds and is now a very strong contender in the campaign. “Although Muthill is new on the UK stage, given the strength of the group and the resilience of the village, this entry could easily progress to take pride of place in the near future.”
Susan Crawford chairperson of Muthill in Bloom was delighted with the Silver gilt accolade on what was only the bloom group’s second foray into the competition. She said: “On behalf of Muthill in Bloom can I take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped us achieve this fantastic result - the villagers and contractors for their marvellous support.
“Various projects will now come to the fore including the refurbishment of an old farm cart and the creation of our own In Bloom nursery, and also with the assistance from the Take a Pride in Perthshire, we hope to move forward soon on the redevelopment of the ‘Bug Road’ garden.”
