Keep Scotland Tidy's praise for Falkirk's environmental volunteers

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has said thank you to volunteers in Falkirk for their efforts to keep their communities clean and bright during lockdown.
Friends of Inchyra Park launching a community orchard in 2019 (Pic: Michael Gillen)Friends of Inchyra Park launching a community orchard in 2019 (Pic: Michael Gillen)
Friends of Inchyra Park launching a community orchard in 2019 (Pic: Michael Gillen)

The groups in the Falkirk area to be recognised are: Nailer Park Tenants and Residents Association, Camelon; Community Green Initiative, Dunipace; Friends of Inchyra Park, Grangemouth; Communities Along the Carron Association (CATCA); Keeping Larbert and Stenhousemuir Beautiful.

They were among 197 groups across Scotland who have been recognised for their work to brighten up and pull their neighbourhoods together during this year’s coronavirus pandemic.

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Falkirk Delivers, which works on behalf of local businesses to make Falkirk town centre more attractive and an enjoyable place to visit for local people as well as tourists, was also recognised at the annual Beautiful Scotland awards.

The Keep Scotland Beautiful charity says that the challenges of 2020 mean there has never been a more important time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of communities and individuals who have worked tirelessly to improve their communities.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said, “We know that lockdown resulted in many people reconnecting with green and blue spaces local to them.

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"Yet, it has also been a particularly challenging year for the communities who strive every year to protect and enhance the places they live and work in.

"Although many of the groups had to stop or curtail their planned activities for the year, we have been blown away by what they have managed to achieve – whether that be setting up a food bank, encouraging and supporting others to grow their own, creating virtual garden tours, connecting their members through online catch ups and keeping their neighbourhoods bright and cheerful."

Councillor Paul Garner, spokesperson for the Environment said: “It has been an incredibly tough 2020 for all our communities but it is so encouraging to see all these local groups continuing to care for our local neighbourhoods and environment with their projects.

"They all offer something that is of benefit to visitors and shows that even in difficult times, there is still a determination to offer a degree of normality with their work.”

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