Castlebank Horticultural Centre brings home European Award

Castlebank Horticultural Centre has been awarded 'runner up' in the LEADER category as part of the inaugural Rural Inspiration Awards, co-ordinated by the European Network for Rural Development!

Article Source: Lanark Trust
Last Updated: 17 April 2019 10:51

As part of the NetworX conference held in Brussels, the European Commissioner Phil Hogan announced the 5 winners of the inaugural Rural Inspiration Awards, co-ordinated by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD).

Out of 175 entries, only two UK finalists were chosen – both from Scotland. Lanark’s own Castlebank Horticultural Centre was nominated in the ‘LEADER’ category, and GrowBiz Perthshire was nominated in the 'Rural Revitalisation' category.

Castlebank Horticultural Centre was awarded ‘runner up’ in the LEADER category.

Sylvia Russell, Chairman of Lanark Community Development Trust travelled to Brussels for the conference and awards ceremony. Sylvia commented: “We have been battling to find the finance to create a Horticultural Centre in Castlebank Park for the past 8 or 9 years. Very luckily we were awarded LEADER funding in 2013 to convert an old tractor shed into a toilet block, and at the same time we managed to get funding from the Climate Challenge Fund to create a Horticultural Centre with two polytunnels and raised beds.”

“Castlebank Park has always been a beautiful public park, until fairly recently when it had been neglected and many areas left to become overgrown and inaccessible. One of the ways the Development Trust envisioned they could transform the park, would be to create the Horticultural Centre within the park as a base of a team of local volunteers. We have been very lucky to have such dedicated volunteers, coming out in all weathers and seasons. We grow all the plants here for ‘Lanark in Bloom’, which are displayed around Lanark in planters & baskets, as well as growing plants for the gardens within Castlebank Park. There are now lots of visitors to the park, whereas before there were only a few dog walkers. The transformation of the park and the development of the centre would not have been possible without the support of local funders like LEADER. We are over the moon to have received such an important award, recognising the project on an international scale.”

Castlebank Horticultural Centre runs Community Gardening Sessions every Tuesday and Thursday which are open for anyone to attend. These sessions can involve working in the growing compound, maintaining the park’s formal gardens or working with ‘Lanark in Bloom’, who are based at the centre. The centre’s rooms are also available for hire for business or community lets. Monthly volunteer sessions and seasonal events are also held regularly, to help raise funds for the continued management of the centre and development of Castlebank Park’s gardens.

Further information about volunteering opportunities, events and education at Castlebank Horticultural Centre is available at https://lanarktrust.co.uk/our-projects/castlebank-park/castlebank-horticultural-centre/

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Lanarkshire News

Hidden treasures of Murrayfield

Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December

Festive days out to make the most of the season

From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.

SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu

Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.

Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes

A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.

Michel Roux unveils new laidback menu at Crossbasket Castle

Crossbasket Castle, one of Scotland's most enchanting five-star destinations, has unveiled a new Market Menu at its Foveran's restaurant.

Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment

SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.

The Christmas tradition of the year is back...

Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!

Beat the Street CamGlen winners announced!

The Beat the Street challenge taking place across Cambuslang and Rutherglen has now concluded and the winners have been announced!

Pumpkin drive for pigs at the National Museum of Rural Life to reduce waste this Halloween

Visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life are being encouraged to donate their Halloween pumpkins and turnips on November 1st.

First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets

First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Scotland Meats Germany

Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.

Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour

Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.

Crossbasket Castle unveils festive events for 2025

As the festive season approaches, five-star Scottish castle, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled its calendar of seasonal events and experiences.

Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night

Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.

Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.

The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries

Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.

Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids

Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.

Theme park set to host Miss Rachel shows

M&D's Scotland's Theme Park, in partnership with Wicked Entertainment, is to host Miss Rachel inspired shows following sell out performances earlier in the year.

Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk. 

Community group celebrates four years of success thanks to green funding

A once little-known and unmanaged woodland in South Lanarkshire is now a vibrant outdoor learning space, thanks to a £117k renewables grant.

Enjoy the inaugural Haunted Hatchlings Duck Dash: Curse of the Black Lade at New Lanark World Heritage Site this Halloween

For the first time this Halloween, the quiet world heritage village of New Lanark will gather for a Haunted Duck Race down the 'eerie' Lade, the water channel conveying water to the mill-wheel.

The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced

The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.

KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.

Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted

There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!

Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC

Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!

Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign

Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!

Book Week Scotland 2025 programme announced

Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!

Motherwell shopper scoops cash for CHAS in Aldi Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland's much-loved Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Motherwell, and one lucky local winner has raised £456.89 for CHAS while picking up the same amount in for herself.

Dobbies donates Christmas trees to local communities

Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.

Popular Listings

Airdrie Town Hall Chatelherault Country Park East Kilbride Arts Centre East Kilbride Village Theatre Lanark Memorial Hall Lanternhouse Cumbernauld Rutherglen Town Hall Strathclyde Country Park The Town House Hamilton

Castlebank Horticultural Centre brings home European Award

Castlebank Horticultural Centre has been awarded 'runner up' in the LEADER category as part of the inaugural Rural Inspiration Awards, co-ordinated by the European Network for Rural Development!

Sponsored Links

Latest Lanarkshire News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings