Linlithgow has been judged for the finals of Britain in Bloom.
Volunteers from Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow worked hard to prepare the town for the UK’s biggest gardening competition.
And judges Mary Bagley and Richard Budge were shown around, starting at the group’s Clarendon Base where they were given a brief presentation to set the tone for the tour.
They took in all the horticultural highlights of the Royal Burgh, including the floral displays at the canal basin, the Serpentine Bed behind the Black Bitch statue and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tree.
After an overview of the landscape and wildlife management around Linlithgow Palace and Peel from Historic Environment Scotland Ranger Gordon Smith, judging ended at The Cross with a recital from Linlithgow Reed Band.
Burgh Beautiful convenor Ron Smith, who played host to the judges together with chair of Linlithgow Burgh Trust, John Mason, said: “Making it to the finals of the UK’s biggest gardening competition is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone who comes together to take pride in Linlithgow.
“We hope the judges enjoyed our town, and I want to thank all the volunteers and the wider community who put in so much effort to keep Linlithgow looking its very best.”
At a post-judging lunch, Mary thanked everyone for their hospitality – and explained how relieved she was to have an ‘uneventful’ judging visit to Linlithgow, since at other Britain in Bloom judging locations she has been mugged, and was even knocked unconscious when a car boot was closed on her head!
She paid tribute to the “tremendous commitment of the community” and said: “You really have done yourselves and your town proud.”
Echoing his fellow judge’s sentiments, Richard likened judging day to a wedding – and said Linlithgow had enjoyed the very best weather for its special day with everything running perfectly.
He added: “You’ve really put on quite a show. All the volunteer hours put in are just incredible.”
One of the displays which hopefully impressed the judges was put together at the last minute to make good use of the disused telephone box at The Vennel.
The Ex-Tinguishers - a group of former firefighters who are well known for their inventive floats at the Marches – sprung into action just 10 days before judging, and removed the upper side panels to install a soil container obscured by new lower metal side panels and a reflective surface behind the soil container.
Donated plants were added – a large cordyline, begonias, and trailing rhodochiton ‘Purple Bells’ – to transform an eyesore into an attractive floral feature.
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