Press Archive

The Isle of Arran Community Council receives commended awards at Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards

The Isle of Arran Community Council have received commendation in the Young People, Environment and Community Life categories of the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards 2004, at a ceremony in Edinburgh today (Friday 26 November).

Representatives of the Community Council were presented with commended certificates during the ceremony held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), which was also attended by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay.

Nineteen shortlisted communities attended the annual event, which this year attracted over one hundred entries from communities spanning the length and breadth of Scotland. The ceremony was also captured on film as part of the six-part television series 'Rising to the Challenge', based on the awards.

Now in their seventh year, the awards encompass every aspect of Scottish life, providing communities with an opportunity to gain recognition and reward for their efforts. Their aim is to stimulate local people to take responsibility for their communities and enhance them for common good.

In determining the outcome of the awards, the judges sought best practices within communities, which could be used as examples for other communities throughout Scotland.

Commenting on Arran's success, Gavin Tomlinson, Calor Scottish Community of the Year Manager said, "As winners of the title Calor Scottish Community of the Year 2003, it was fantastic to revisit the ongoing projects on the island.

The 'cycle safe' project, sadly born out of tragedy, has shown real community spirit and a coming together of different groups. The initiative to provide vests, helmets and tuition to many of the island's youngsters is a scheme many communities should look to for inspiration, likewise the Car Club which teaches safety on the roads ".

The Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards were launched in 1998, and since then more than one third of all Scottish communities from the Borders to Shetland, and all the country's major urban areas have taken part.

The awards include environment, business, young people, old people, community life and community website. Judging the awards were representatives of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Business in the Community (SBC), the Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC) and The Robert Gordon University and a Community Information Officer for a local authority.

For further information regarding the awards visit www.communityoftheyear.org.uk

November 26, 2004

For further information contact:

Ashley Ross
Awards Co-ordinator
tel 01224 588900
e-mail ashley@prpartnership.co.uk

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF CALOR SCOTTISH COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR BY THE PR PARTNERSHIP (SCOTLAND) LTD
BON ACCORD HOUSE, RIVERSIDE DRIVE, ABERDEEN AB11 7SL TEL: 01224 588900 FAX 01224 588200