South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan accepted a Merit Award, which was awarded by Beautiful Scotland in Bloom, on behalf of the Council and the people of Troon at a ceremony within the Council Chambers at Troon Town Hall.

Members of Troon Community Council made an application to the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom awards, and asked that Troon be considered for an award and   earlier this year two assessors from Beautiful Scotland in Bloom toured Troon.  The assessors looked at the floral displays and various garden areas to see if the town had reached the standards required to gain a Neighbourhood Awareness Award.

The Neighbourhood Award, which is in its second year in Scotland, is a non-competitive competition to encourage people to be more involved in their neighbourhoods.  The award was presented at a ceremony in Perth to Philip Saxton, the Chairperson of the Community Council, Councillors and the Chairperson of Troon Business Association.

Provost Sloan received the Merit Award on behalf of the Council from Philip Saxton during a ceremony within Troon Town Hall.  Provost Sloan said:  “Troon received the Merit Award for its partnership working which has enhanced the local environment.  The people of Troon take a great pride in their town, and work together to enhance the environment and to raise funds for projects that improve their town for local people and visitors to the area.

“The Troon in Bloom group already have some exciting ideas which I know that they will bring to fruition over the coming months.  I would like to wish them and everyone success with their innovative project and hope that the competition judges recognise it in 2007 and present them with a further award.”

Members of the project group Troon in Bloom were present at the handover that also marked the launch of the town of Troon into the Beautiful Scotland 2007 competition.   The group has been set up to work on projects that will hopefully see Troon win an award in the Beautiful Scotland 2007 competition.  It is seen as a community project with the Community Council, Troon Business Association, local schools and the Council working together to ensure that Troon is at its floral best when the competition is judged in 2007.

Pictured within Troon Town Hall with the Merit Award are (left to right) Councillor Peter Convery, Marian Lochrie, Chairperson of Troon Business Association, Philip Saxton, Chairperson of Troon Community Council, Provost Winifred Sloan, Liz Fisher, Troon Community Council, Erica Williamson, Troon Community Council.

November 2006