Ayton Village, Berwickshire Scotland

A historic parish

in the beautiful East Berwickshire area of the Scottish Borders

Scotland's Floral Gateway Competition

In the spring of 2010 the Community Council decided to enter the village into the Scottish Borders Council's Scotland's Floral Gateway competition.

This was Ayton's first go at the competition and we were pleased to come in 5th= in the small village section.

Scotland’s Floral Gateway Competition

What it's about - Guidelines for Competitors

Section A: Floral Presentation                                                                Maximum 50 Points

In tackling this section, competitors should take into account the total landscape of theareas, as points will be awarded between annual bedding displays (max. 25 points) andpermanent plantings (max. 25 points). Plantings should be appropriate to the areaconcerned and judges will expect to see: well-designed annual bedding displays with topquality plants in well-prepared beds and containers; permanent plantings providing formand colour over a longer period of the year with emphasis on quality throughout and ahigh standard of maintenance; trees, shrubs or bulbs used to provide effective springand autumn colour, with evidence of year-round achievements (e.g. a few photos).Note: if annual bedding displays are not being seen at their best due to a "late season",judges will recognise the potential of the displays at the time of judging.Grass areas: there should be evidence of regular maintenance but it is likely that therewill be minor variations in standards of grass cutting throughout each area. Frequency ofcuts is also likely to vary depending on council policy, e.g. roadside verges often cut lessfrequently than other areas. Judges will look to satisfy themselves with the overallstandard of maintenance while allowing for these differences.Thought for disabled (e.g. access, scented plants, etc.) should be included incompetitors' activities.Areas for judging include parks, open spaces, public gardens, private gardens (front andback), allotments, churchyards/cemeteries, war memorials, schools, industrial areas and business premises.

Section B: Cleanliness                                                                             Maximum 30 Points

Judges will make their assessment on the general quality and standard of cleanlinessthat anyone would get when visiting the town or village concerned. Points will bededucted when factors are present that detract from a good environment, such asweedy streets and pavements, unsightly gap sites, fly-tipping, dog fouling, graffiti and flyposters, chewing gum and litter generally. There should be a good impression oftidiness throughout the community area.Maintenance of litter bins, street furniture, bus shelters and telephone kiosks will be included.Areas for judging include streets and open spaces.

Section C: Community Involvement                                                     Maximum 20 Points

This section covers the efforts of individuals, organisations and schoolchildren inpermanent and seasonal planting schemes or projects, as well as community clean-upprojects resulting in some visual impact for judges. Full assessment, however, will bemade from appropriate evidence that should be presented to judges (e.g. a few photos).Involvement may come from individuals', groups', etc. own projects, or from activelysupporting the local council's or private sector's efforts.

Here are the judge's comments and the results.

                        Scotland’s Floral Gateway Competition 2010

Marking Sheet

Name of Town/Village:     AYTON          Category:     Small Village            Date:  Wednesday 28^th July 2010 (3.30 to 4.30pm)

 Judged By:              John Pack