A successful businessman who has led a campaign to clean up his home town says his Scotland Loves Local Award success recognition for the whole community.
Jim Reid has not only helped boost community pride in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, but has also played a key part in celebrating some special stories.
He dedicates huge amounts of time to promoting and enhancing the town.
And his efforts have been recognised today as he was named as the Scotland Loves Local High Street Hero for the North East – an accolade Jim says he’s collecting on behalf of the entire community.
Judges heard that Jim’s work in the community includes leading on the It’s Your Neighbourhood project, which has seen a team of volunteers clean bus shelters, tidy green spaces and improve public areas around the town House.
His nomination stated: “This has been very successful in encouraging residents to take pride in their surroundings, especially around their properties.”
Mr Reid has also helped tell his town’s story in two ways – through Benchmarking Kintore, a project which has seen QR codes placed on benches to share the rich history of key locations in the town, as well as helping to keep the community newsletter alive.
“The community council as a whole is doing great work. However, Jim has brought an energy, drive and ambition which has reinvigorated the community and he richly deserves an award for his efforts,” his nomination added.
Reacting to his award, Mr Reid, whose family operates a vehicle sales and service business on the edge of Kintore, said: “I’m humbled yet absolutely delighted not only to be nominated but to win the High Street Hero Award for the North East of Scotland.
“As a family owned business owner that’s been based in Kintore for almost 22 years I feel it’s very important to ‘give back’ and support our local community, which we do on a voluntary basis.
“Despite it being my name on the award, I accept this on behalf of all the teams I have been involved with which have made such a massive difference to Kintore community. Well done all “
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “We all want our communities to be cleaner, more attractive and more successful – and it sounds like Jim is helping Kintore to be all three. Pride in our public and community spaces is evident in the work Jim has done for Kintore. Our judges agreed that this award is well deserved. A real High Street Hero.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.
You can read more about the Scotland Loves Local Awards here
