Falkland Hounoured as Champions 2008...

The community of Falkland has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society as having a consistent and high achieving approach to environmental issues and has been invited to compete in the prestigious Champion of Champions category of Britain in Bloom for the next three years. This honour is only bestowed on communities that have performed well in the Britain in Bloom campaign over a sustained period.

Falkland in Bloom Secretary Bert Allan commented, “The invitation to be included ;in this prestigious category of the Britain in Bloom campaign is certainly an honour. Although the exacting standards required will be demanding, we believe we can again depend on the support of everyone in the community to ensure we do well. Despite the name of the campaign, there is no reference to flowers in the judging criteria, and whilst we will still be marked for floral effort under horticultural achievement, emphasis is also placed on environmental quality such as biodiversity, recycling and the management and development of the local heritage. We were previously awarded a discretionary award in Britain in Bloom for community involvement and this aspect continues to be important. Falkland in Bloom is always eager to hear from residents who would wish to help us with our many and varied projects and should they wish to volunteer; they are urged to get in touch via our website”.

Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Britain in Bloom is one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe, with the year round aim of creating a more beautiful Britain. Entrants compete against each other within their area and then selected communities are nominated to compete against each other in the UK finals.

The campaign now involves hundreds of communities who are encouraged to create lasting improvements to local environments for the benefit of local residents, workers and visitors, now and for future generations.

Fife Councillor, David McDiarmid, who is also a Falkland resident, stated, “This is wonderful news for Falkland and for Fife in general. Having witnessed the preparations for the Entente Florale judging last year I know just how much work goes into presenting Falkland to visiting judges. I also know that much work with children and adults of all ages and capabilities is carried out by Falkland in Bloom, in partnership with other community groups, at their nerve centre in Sugar Acre, and that this work goes very much unheralded. Community groups are at the heart of Falkland in Blooms activities and the news that they have been invited into the Champion of Champion category will see them pitted against much larger towns and cities. I know however, that Falkland will acquit themselves well and present the challenge to other communities in this category”.

The Champion of Champions category was created in 2004 with the intention of creating a grouping of sustained gold award achievers and allowing other communities within that category to progress and develop, without the knowledge that they are already competing against some of the best in the country.

Fife Councilor Donald Lothian commented, “This is a terrific achievement and testament to the sustained hard work and dedication of local residents”.

Falkland has represented Scotland in the Large Village category within the Britain in Bloom campaign for a number of years and has latterly obtained Gold Awards and in 2008 was awarded the best Large Village in Britain. This achievement, coupled with the gold award in the European Entente Floral in 2007 has resulted in the Royal Horticultural Society inviting the community to participate within the Champion of Champions category.

Fife Councillor Andrew Arbuckle, chair of the East Area Committee stated, “Falkland's award tops a very successful year for North East Fife in these campaigns. Local residents know we live in a very special part of the country and we hope that this successes will bring more visitors to the area.”

Judges from the Royal Horticultural Society will visit the community in August and assess Falkland under a number of criteria. The village will find out how they faired against the competition at an award ceremony in Torbay in September.

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