This is an annual competition for community groups in the Scottish Borders.
Entries are now open for 2017. Closing date for entries is Friday 26 May 2017
Judging is expected to take place during the two weeks commencing Monday 24 July 2017 (subject to numbers of entries received and availability of judges). Results and prize-giving event is to be held on Tuesday 5 September 2017.
Classes
There are five classes which communities can enter:
- Wee Village with a maximum population of 300
- Small Village with a population between 301 and 1,000
- Large Village with a population between 1,001 and 2,500
- Town with a population over 2,500
- Champion of Champions - each class winner from the previous year judged against each other
Community Awards
You can enter the Community Awards even if you are not entering the Floral Gateway competition.
The Community Awards are:
- The Welcome Award - for first time entrants to the Floral Gateway competition
- The Quality of Life Award – One award in each of the Council’s five areas (Berwickshire, Cheviot, Eildon, Teviot and Liddesdale and Tweeddale). This award will recognise the significant impact that a project, initiative or ongoing community involvement in each area has made to support, promote and enhance the quality of life in that area. Judged by the Neighbourhood Area Manager in consultation with the Area Forum Chairman
- The Clean and Tidy Award – Community groups/individuals and representative councils may propose a project or initiative within their community that they feel should be highlighted. It could be a good example of dealing with litter, graffiti, fly tipping, dog fouling or other environmental littering problem
- The Border Biodiversity Award – Where a project, initiative or community wishes to be considered for their efforts in increasing the biodiversity of the region. This could be through local food production, recycling or through enhancing the region as a result of changed environmental maintenance.
Why should my community enter?
Communities find that local peopletake pride in their environment. This has made them:
- more aware of their surroundings
- less likely to litter/graffiti
- want to improve the look of their area
Taking part in the Floral Gateway competition has given many communities the confidence required to go forward to take part in the Beautiful Scotland competition.
Judging
Judging takes place in late July/early August and the competition is judged across three areas:
- Floral presentation
- Cleanliness
- Community involvement
Points are awarded against each area and the community with the highest score wins.
The judging is based on the visual appearance of:
- public park and open spaces
- public and private gardens
- allotments
- churches
- war memorials
- schools
- industrial areas
- business premises
Entrants are also able to demonstrate the strength of community involvement by use of on site meetings with the judges or by presenting portfolios to judges showing year round events and initiatives in their communities.