A CLACKS garden club has impressed the judges by creating positive relationships within the community.

Dollar Horticultural and Garden Club, with Dollar in Bloom, was highly commended by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of its Community Engagement Award.

It comes just a week after the club scooped two accolades at the annual Beautiful Scotland awards.

As part of the latest efforts to recognise community groups, all members of the Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network, volunteer judges and assessors visited more than 230 communities over the summer evaluating their efforts across three pillars: horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Identifying examples of best practice, success, or innovation across Scotland, the volunteers then nominated groups in five categories – with the hope that their stories will inspire others.

A panel of experts, including representatives from NatureScot and local community groups, met to short list and select winners, runners up and highly commended projects.

While the Dollar club missed out on a top finish, its work has been highly commended, recognising efforts to engage the wider community, creating positive and long-lasting benefits.

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Juliette Camburn, senior officer for community initiatives at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “My thanks go to all the volunteer assessors and judges who work with us to visit and provide guidance to community groups across Scotland.

“From the excellent practices they saw first-hand across the country they nominated groups for awards in one of five categories. 

“We’re facing climate and nature crises in Scotland, and everyone must play their part to halt biodiversity loss and to protect and enhance nature.

“The efforts of the groups, and all involved in their communities, is truly inspiring, ensuring their local areas are not only protected but improved for future generations.

“Every group thoroughly deserves their awards and recognition, and their collective efforts to make Scotland more beautiful, is immensely appreciated.”

The winners in each category have been nominated to represent Scotland in the inaugural UK RHS Community Awards.