Volunteers are getting Linlithgow ready for the UK finals of Britain in Bloom, the UK’s biggest gardening competition.
Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow is one of 46 community gardening groups looking to wow judges this summer - who will be marking according to strengthened environmental criteria, including sustainability and planet-friendly gardening techniques.
The competition will return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic with judging of Linlithgow taking place on July 29.
Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow was established in 2004, and is entirely composed of unpaid volunteers who, along with community partners, work to enhance the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow’s historic environment, encouraging civic pride, and making the town more attractive to visitors.
Run by the Royal Horticultural Society, the competition is recognised across the UK as a symbol of excellence in community gardening, strong community spirit and pride of place.
The group has already won a number of awards, taking Gold and winning the Town category in Britain in Bloom 2018.
Convener of the volunteer group, Ron Smith, also won a Community Champion award from the Royal Horticultural Society.
In 2021, Burgh Beautiful received a Gold award in the Beautiful Scotland competition, and the Visit Scotland Award for Tourism as well as a discretionary award for excellence in community horticulture.
Burgh Beautiful convenor Ron Smith said: “Making it to the finals of the UK’s biggest gardening competition is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone who comes together to take pride in Linlithgow.
“We have around 100 volunteers who, at last count, put in around 16,000 hours over the year to care for this fantastic Royal Burgh, working with local partners to make the town look its best.
“This includes tending to 124 hanging baskets, 95 planters/barrels and 35 flowerbeds.
“In all, we plant around 20,000 plants over the Summer, and a further 8,400 plants in the Winter and Spring.
“We hope the judges enjoy our town, and that the whole community can do its part to keep Linlithgow looking its very best.”
Linlithgow is one of five finalists in the Town category - the only other Scottish finalist is North Berwick in Bloom, which is in the Coastal category.
The finalists were announced in late January each year, and Linlithgow have kept busy getting the town ready for this summer when Bloom Judges will assess their level of achievement.
The winners are announced at a national ceremony in October.
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