A prestigious Gold Medal was awarded to South Ayrshire Council’s Sustainable Development Team at Ayr Flower Show, in recognition of the environmentally friendly kitchen and garden display that they created especially for show.

The Depute Leader of the Council, Councillor David Duncan visited the display and said: “I would like to congratulate the staff on their outstanding achievement to receive a Gold Medal at Ayr Flower Show is indeed an honour.

“I think that by designing and creating a sustainable kitchen and garden the team has clearly demonstrated what can be achieved, with thought and a lot of hard, work by amateur gardeners.

“Sustainability and environmental issues are something that everyone should take an interest in, and the display gave everyone an opportunity to learn about it in a fun way.”

The teams display featured a kitchen fitted with low energy lighting, ‘A’ rated efficient appliances, and a condensing boiler. A variety of bins highlighted the importance of disposing of household waste correctly and were there to encourage people to ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ and help protect the environment.

All kitchens need to be kept spotlessly clean so environmentally friendly and hints and tips were freely given on how people could create their own cleaning products, which are efficient and cheap. Information was also available on environmentally friendly cleaning products that can be purchased in local supermarkets.

People are very conscious about the quality of food they buy, prepare and consume at home, and by purchasing local products it is possible to get fresh food whilst supporting local producers. This helps to sustain the local economy and there is the added benefit of reducing the amount of food that has to be transported around the country and the world. Some products cannot be produced locally and in this instance purchasing Fairtrade products, which are bought direct from farmers at a fair price and ensue a regular income and better pay and conditions for workers, can help to reduce poverty around the world.

The garden area of the display showed how easy it is to grow your own food, either in a dedicated plot or by incorporating vegetables amongst flowers, something that French people have done for years. All the garden waste can be recycled by composting it at home or by placing it in a brown bin for the Council to remove and compost. Vegetables need water to thrive and grow, but this summer there has been little rain, so by collecting rainwater in a water butt and using it to water plants it reduces the amount of tap water required.

The display was created using materials which were lent to the team, donated or purchased locally, particular thanks go to Ayr MFI, Dowhill Farm Shop Girvan and Mainholm Nursery Ayr.

Anyone who would like information on sustainability and environmental issues can contact staff on telephone number 01292 612000 or log onto the Council’s website at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/environment

Pictured admiring their trophy are (left to right) Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell, Fiona Ross, Council Environment Officer and the Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor David Duncan.

Congratulations from Germany’ – a couple visiting South Ayrshire after winning a competition are pictured in the garden (left to right) Willi Kirst, Cristel Kirst, Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell, Fiona Ross, Council Environment Officer and the Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor David Duncan.

August 2005