National recognition for Growing Kirkcaldy as it creates ‘colourful oasis’ in town
The volunteers who make sure Kirkcaldy town centre is as green as possible have received more recognition.
Growing Kirkcaldy was surprised with a certificate of merit when it attended the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society’s annual awards.
It recognised the ”highly regarded and significant contribution” the group has made to horticulture and gardening in Scotland.
The certificate came on the back of a gold award in the towns and cities category of the 2025 Britain in Bloom awards when the judges were followed around town by a film crew from BBC’s The One Show which featured the Lang Toun in its results announcement.
The Lang Toun group was one of just three Scottish finalists nominated to the UK finals after success last year in the Beautiful Scotland competition.
Judith Kerr and Alice Soper were at the awards ceremony when they were surprised with the merit certificate which came after John McLennan, who njudged the groups’s 2024 efforts for the Beautiful Scotland awards, put them forward.
The certificate praised the work the group does across the town centre, stating: “Growing Kirkcaldy certainly knows how to make the Lang Toun a colourful oasis in the Kingdom of Fife.
“It never rests on its laurels, and continues to work on celebrating this heritage by pro-active means, such as liaising with Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage group, so that when restoring the garden space at the Adam Smith Heritage Centre, it reflects the man that Kirkcaldy is best known for. The award for this group is well deserved.” It described the work as “prodigious” and saw how the war memorial gardens, Town House and railway station have all benefited greatly from its input.
“Growing Kirkcaldy has also been the lead partner in developing Volunteers Green as an outside space for concerts and turning a non-attractive space into a area of colour.
“Kirkcaldy also has a rich heritage, including being the birthplace of Sanford Fleming, known for creating co-ordinated universal time, and at the eastern end of the Esplanade, a display bed commemorates him.” The work continues for Growing Kirkcaldy - it has entered this year’s Beautiful Scotland awards.