In Bloom committees from across Perth and Kinross gathered in Perth on Thursday to hear how they fared in the annual Take a Pride in Perthshire awards.
The 46 groups who took part in the competition which is in three parts – horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation – won praise for their efforts.
Local judges, Kathy Miller, Fiona Hair, Sylvia Stuart, Graham Harbut and Ally Bruce led by Gordon Croll, who is chairman of the judges, said they were extremely impressed with the communities they visited.
“We were struck by the enthusiasm, energy, skill and commitment from all the places we visited,” Mr Croll told the awards event in the Salutation Hotel.
“The work from volunteers really makes a difference to enhance the local environmental quality and visual appearance of the towns and villages.
“It was a great privilege to be welcomed to the communities and they have all done exceptionally well.”
The wee village winner was Scotlandwell In Bloom, described by the judges as “having a very high standard achieved and maintained , with dymanic leadership, and great pride in the village heritage “.
The small village winner was Muthill In Bloom and the winner of the large village category was Brig’ In Bloom.
The winner of the small country town category was Coupar Angus, Pride of Place, who were praised for “clever informality and happy quirkiness”.
Each year all the judges are invited to nominate entrants who they feel should be given recognition for extended community involvement and commitment.
Best community involvement was awarded to Coupar Angus, Pride of Place, which was also was awarded best involvement with schools, Blair in Bloom was awarded best involvement with community youth and the most improved community title went to Kenmore In Bloom.
A special award was given to Derek Lawrence and Iain Todd of Kinross In Bloom, for their outstanding contribution to the Kinross community. Ardoch in Bloom were also were also presented with the endeavour award for the Keir Bridge Project. Best new entrant was awarded to Abernethy In Bloom.
Presenting the awards at the ceremony was Provost Liz Grant, who said: “It gives me great pleasure again to see the commitment and effort of volunteers in our communities celebrated and rewarded.
“A great deal of hard work is undertaken by residents in our towns and villages to ensure their local environment is a welcoming place to live and work and visit.
“Perth and Kinross has a beautiful and striking landscape to enjoy and the work of In Bloom committees around the area plays a vital part in maintaining this.”