CUPAR -
WINNERS OF THE FIRST FIFE-WIDE COMPETITION FOR THE BEST KEPT SMALL TOWN

The blooming beautiful community of Cupar has been rewarded for the hard work of its residents and businesses through Fife Council's first-ever Fife-wide Best Kept Town and Village Competition.

Every town, village and hamlet in Fife was initially assessed for its general appearance, cleanliness, state of private gardens and industrial and commercial areas and most importantly for any additional effort to improve the area being made by the community.

The area finalists were then decided by judges from Beautiful Scotland in Bloom which also determine the Fife-wide winners.Many of the finalists had taken advantage of the Floral Enhancement Scheme where the Council offers grants to communities for hanging baskets and floral displays.The winners of the first Fife-wide competition were : Glenrothes (Large Town); Cupar (Small Town); Markinch (Large Village); Falkland (Medium Village); Culross (Small Village) and Collessie (Hamlet).

Cupar received a special sign and a certificate to display in their community and also something of benefit to all residents such as an inscribed bench.

Community Services Spokesperson Councillor Jim Brennan said he was delighted with the hard-work and enthusiasm shown by all the communities which had taken part in this years competition.

"The competition has generated friendly rivalry and fostered a real sense of community spirit for many years among the towns and villages. I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone who has won a prize and to encourage the communities to keep up the hard work so they can make it into the finals for next year."

Environment Spokesperson Bill Kay added: "The Council is committing millions of pounds over the next few years to improving Fife's environment. This is a major factor in raising morale and a sense of wellbeing in our communities and attracting visitors and even inward investment. But this is not something we can achieve alone - it has to be done in partnership with the people who live in these communities."

This competition is an example of what can be achieved with hard work and pride in the place where you live. Long may it continue to help us realise what we all want a cleaner, tidier and more pleasant Fife."

Beautiful Scotland in Bloom judge Jim Macallum said the winning communities had been of a very high standard " I hope this will spur more of the towns and villages in this area to participate in the competition next year."