In December 2000, residents of Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk celebrated their accolade as Calor Gas Scottish Community of the Year.
Hopes are high that this fantastic accolade might just be surpassed in 2006; the community is now one of only six Scottish communities in the running for the coveted £20,000 top prize as Calor celebrate 10 years of supporting the contest.
Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk put on a great display in the Scott Hay Gallery on the afternoon of 10th May when the judging panel led by Scottish musician and writer Donnie Munro visited the town.
Competition will be tough as other finalists include:
Assynt in Sutherland
Sandwick in Shetland
Cockenzie & Port Seaton in East Lothian
The Isle of Arran
The Isle of Whithorn
Langholm-online wishes all the communities good luck and thanks Calor Gas for their continued community support projects.
Year 2000 Results
The ultimate honour of being the best community out of more than 300 entries in the prestigious competition, was one of 5 awards collected at the Edinburgh ceremony.
The others were:
Business category – Highly commended
Environment category – Commended
Community Life Category- Highly commended
Older people category – Commended
Langholm’s bid was put forward by Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk Community Council and The Langholm Initiative. The community was delighted with the remarks from Gavin Tomlinson of awards sponsor Calor Gas “Langholm may well have the largest number of community organisations per head of any population in Scotland. With a calendar of events which includes an opera week, rugby sevens, Common Riding, a Music, Art and Food Festival, and an agricultural show, everyone has the opportunity to participate in community activities”
The judges also highlighted the community’s involvement with local industry through The Langholm Initiative.
The awards were collected by Margaret Pool and Grace Brown, but in Margaret’s words “The community council were simply the recipients of the award, the true winners are the people who live here” |
