IN JUST three weeks’ time, the East Lothian Courier will celebrate the people who make such a positive difference to the lives of others and our communities.
Our Community Champion Awards night takes place at Haddington Corn Exchange on Thursday, May 30, when we will reveal the winners in categories covering everything from sport to business, and teaching to charities.
Last month, our judging panel had the difficult task of deciding the finalists for our awards, and the task of choosing the winners was no easier.
Now we can’t wait to recognise the people who make our communities a better place – every one of our finalists certainly does that.
Courier editor Robbie Scott said: “There are so many people in our towns and villages who, week after week, year after year, step up to help those less fortunate than themselves, giving their time and efforts to make other people’s lives better.
“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to submit a nomination, as well as everyone who was nominated for everything they do for their communities, and we’re excited to highlight the great efforts of all our finalists. I’d also like to give a special mention to our awards sponsors, without whom none of this would be possible.”
The Community Champion Awards are generously sponsored by East Coast Buses; PureMalt; SSE Renewables; and Sustainable Facilities Management.
Tickets for the awards evening, hosted by TV and radio personality Bryan Burnett, can be purchased online via: bit.ly/3xLbNeZ
Here’s a look at all the finalists for the Green Champion of the Year award, sponsored by Sustainable Facilities Management:
Rab Moran
A STALWART of Blooming Haddington, Rab can regularly be seen around the town making sure it is looking its best.
He puts in countless hours of time volunteering to water and maintain plants around the town, as well as being active in other community groups, including the town’s community council.
In 2021, the 79-year-old was recognised by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society for his efforts.
Libby Morris
CHAIR of North Berwick in Bloom (NBIB), she has kept up the group’s unmatched record of horticultural success at major awards ceremonies.
Last autumn, Libby and NBIB were joint winners of the prestigious Rosebowl at the Beautiful Scotland Awards for their work making the town look stunning.
In 2022, NBIB scooped a gold medal and also won the coastal category at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom Finals.
The Ridge Project
RIDGE volunteers get stuck in to planting at the charity’s sensory garden to guard against drought in future years, thanks to a grant from NatureScot.
Recent hot, dry summers have been affecting the Ridge Community Gardens and volunteers applied to the fund for their ‘Sunny Dunny’ project – a planting scheme of drought-resistant plants to ensure the garden continues to thrive whatever the weather. It aims to introduce more drought-resistant plants to combat the effects of climate change.
Tranent Wombles
THE Wombles are a voluntary group which carry out litter-picking in Tranent.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the group, unsightly litter is removed from the streets and the town is left looking its best.
The Wombles also recently partnered with Froglife to help make Tranent more inhabitable for frogs and other amphibians and have opened a small garden space in the town.
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