THE success of East Lothian’s horticultural volunteers has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament.

Aberlady in Bloom, Blooming Haddington, Gifford Community and North Berwick in Bloom celebrated success last month at Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Beautiful Scotland awards.

The achievements were toasted in Holyrood by East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan, and Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP and a councillor for the Haddington and Lammermuir ward.

Mr McLennan, who is also a councillor for the Dunbar and East Linton ward, submitted a motion to recognise the achievement: “That the Parliament congratulates Gifford Community, North Berwick in Bloom, Blooming Haddington and Aberlady in Bloom on being recognised by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful at the Beautiful Scotland awards ceremony; applauds East Lothian Council on winning the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Award at the same event; recognises the strong history of community gardening across East Lothian; notes the value of caring for town centres and creating green spaces for people to enjoy, and applauds the efforts of the many local authority staff and dedicated volunteers who undertake the work, which it believes has been so deservedly recognised.”

Meanwhile, Mr Hoy’s motion read: “That the Parliament notes that six ‘In Bloom’ groups from East Lothian have been recognised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful at a virtual Beautiful Scotland celebration and award ceremony; understands that almost 50 entrants, from 17 local authority areas, were congratulated for their efforts to support and enhance their local communities, for the climate and for nature, at the online event; further understands that of the six entrants from East Lothian, Dunbar in Bloom and The Blooming Belters from Tranent, decided to enter a new non-judged category and received a Certificate of Recognition, while four entrants felt able to enter the competition and received the following awards: Gifford Community – gold; North Berwick in Bloom – gold; Blooming Haddington – gold; and Aberlady in Bloom – silver gilt; recognises that 13 discretionary awards were also up for grabs and two were won by East Lothian: Gifford Community scooped the New Entrant Award, and in addition, East Lothian Council took home the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Award, which is given to the local authority that demonstrates the highest standard of horticulture in public open spaces; thanks all the entrants and all the volunteers who are doing their bit to keep our communities beautiful and help our environment despite the challenging times we are in.”