Press Archive

Thurso Community Council wins award for Environment at Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards

Thurso Community Council has won the Environment category of the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards 2004, at a ceremony in Edinburgh today (Friday 26 November).

Representatives of the Community received the award from HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, at the event held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).

Nineteen shortlisted communities attended the annual event, which this year attracted more than 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 Thurso's success, Gavin Tomlinson, Calor Scottish Community of the Year Manager said, "Thurso is a geographically remote community which has demonstrated tremendous self-reliance and community leadership.

"The community-led initiatives in place, in particular the riverside walkway, coastal footpath development and the community's active involvement in improving waste management amongst others, assures us we have a very worthy environment winner for 2004".

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
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