Lord Provost's Community Garden Party

Attended the Lord Provost's Community Garden Party today - some details in the News Release re-produced below ...

...  thought this *unofficial* snap of various Provosts, along with Edinburgh's High Constables, was rather good :-)

Lord Provost's thank you to city volunteers

Published Wednesday, 29th July 2015

Edinburgh volunteers are amongst those set to be recognised for their crucial contribution to local life at the Lord Provost’s Community Garden Party 2015.

LifeCare Edinburgh (external link) and Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club (external link), which support the independence and wellbeing of older people in Edinburgh, will be presented with ‘Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service’ by the Lord Provost Donald Wilson at the celebration on Friday (31 July).

They will be joined by a guest list featuring dedicated workers from the city’s third sector, community council members, Edinburgh British Empire Medal recipients and local philanthropists in the grounds of Lauriston Castle (external link) as a ‘thank you’ for their contribution to community life.

Sponsored by Virgin Money, more than 400 people will attend the celebration in the grounds of the historic castle to enjoy afternoon tea on the lawn, with live music from local Edinburgh choir groups and pipe bands.  Members of the Lauriston Castle Living History Group, suitably costumed in Edwardian dress, will treat guests to tours of the visitor attraction which are open to the public throughout the year.

The Lord Provost, who is also the city's Volunteering Champion, said: “I want this celebration to recognise and reward those who make a positive contribution to our great city – particularly the unsung heroes who give up their time tirelessly for others and for the good of their local community. I look forward to welcoming guests to the fantastic Lauriston Castle, and to presenting awards on behalf of the Queen to two of Edinburgh’s great volunteer organisations.

“I hope an event like this helps to promote this gem of a venue and that guests are encouraged to come back. I am extremely grateful to Jayne-Anne Gadhia and everyone at Virgin Money for the tremendous support and their ongoing commitment to the city.”

Su Millar, Chief Executive of LifeCare (Edinburgh) Limited, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to be presented with an award from the Lord Provost on behalf of the Queen, and proud to be one of two organisations to receive this prestigious award. It is humbling to have the excellent work of our volunteers recognised in this way and we are all really looking forward to meeting with the Lord Provost and all of the other guests at the Community Garden Party at Lauriston Castle.”

The Lord Provost’s Community Garden is a bi-annual event, first held in 2013 with young local harpist Anna McLuckie who has since received recognition on BBC’s The Voice.