Flourishing florals as towns keep Fife beautiful for judges

The sun shone on the Lang Toun on Monday as the judges were given a comprehensive tour of the streets, parks and nurseries, giving them a flavour of the multitude of horticultural work which is going on.

They were guided around the town by Alice Soper, chairman, and Judith Kerr, secretary of Growing Kirkcaldy, the umbrella organisation set up to co-ordinate the many groups and projects which have been helping to ensure the town looks at its glorious best.

And along the route they met and chatted with representatives of the groups, including community councillors, volunteers, school pupils and staff of the organisations carrying out the work.

Some of the groups involved included The Kaleyard in Beveridge Park where community volunteers have transformed a disused piece of land; the Esplanade and High Street where work has been carried out by Growing Kirkcaldy, Kirkcaldy 4 All and Kirkcaldy West Community Council; the War Memorial Gardens where council staff have kept the area in tip top condition and Dunnikier Park where the development group has worked with Kirkcaldy High School pupils on a number of wildflower and anti litter initiatives.

Judith Kerr, who has been involved with Growing Kirkcaldy from the outset, said: “I think the judging went really well.

“The man from Aberdeen Council was very impressed with how our Council team had managed to keep up standards despite the cuts and how we all worked together.

“The town looked really good as the sun shone and lots of people had worked on their area especially Dunnikier Park and Seafield which had been busy at the weekend. We really appreciate the fact that local people are proud of our town and wanted to help us show it off.”

Judges made their way to Kinghorn on Tuesday for judging of the Beautiful Fife competition where members of Kinghorn in Bloom were delighted with the efforts of the community in making the town look its best.

They wound their wau through Kinghorn starting at the Station Gallery and walking down Quarrel Brae, along the front and then driving to Pettycur Harbour, along to the Capstan and along to the Slip.

The headed up to the Community Centre, Trust Housing Garden, Memorial, High Street, Julian Hall boat, North Overgate and finished at the Ecology Centre.

The colour scheme for 2016 planting reflects the colours of St Leonaird’s coat of arms, the patron saint of Kinghorn with new planting at the memorial in commemorative colours of red and black.

Flourishing brightly is the Julian Hall boat which stands out with the Keep Scotland Beautfiul saltire to celebrate the 50th birthday of the campaign and an ‘edibles boat’ at the Community Centre planted by the Brownies.

Carolyn Keane, Kinghorn in Bloom said: “A big thank you to Bill Ronald and Jim Hooton for judging us for Beautiful Fife and also a massive thank you to everyone who helped in any way to show Kinghorn of. We felt the judging went well. One judge in particular enjoyied reading our portfolio. We hope to get the results of both Beautiful Fife and Scotland judging in September.”

The judges will return to Kinghorn on August 10 to inpect Kinghorn under the Beautful Scotland banner.