Liz Wilson, Chair of award winning Uddingston Pride, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, for services to the Community of Uddingston.
Liz is naturally delighted to receive recognition for the work the she has done for Uddingston, in enhancing the appearance of the community, and leading the group to great success over the years.
Liz was appointed Chair of Uddingston Pride in 2006, and since then, she has spearheaded the efforts of a dedicated group, who have worked over the years to make Uddingston a better place. Floral displays around the streets have greatly enhanced the appearance of the village, coupled with regular “Clean Ups”, which have made Uddingston the envy of many neighbouring communities. Liz has been a truly inspirational leader over these last thirteen years, and has always managed to remain cheerful, no matter what problems have arisen, and she has an uncanny knack of persuading the members of the group to turn out in all weathers to put her ideas into action.
Funding of Uddingston Pride's activities is always a challenge, but largely through force of her personality, improvements to the village have been instigated every year. As a result of the efforts of Uddingston Pride, spurred on by Liz, the village now has the main street planted throughout the year, and bursting with colour during the summer months, a highly successful annual Craft Fayre, and a brand new, state of the art play park. Uddingston Station is one of the most attractive in Scotland, and received a national award from Railtrack this year, through the efforts of a dedicated team of enthusiasts.
Over the years, Uddingston Pride has enjoyed a great deal of success in our Beautiful Scotland Campaign, frequently winning the Urban Community category, achieving Gold standard regularly. On a number of occasions, Uddingston has also been proud to represent Scotland in the Britain in Bloom competition, and again has achieved great results, winning once and achieving Gold standard in 2017.
Liz is always active, leading by example, and her enthusiasm is unrelenting and infectious, and as a result, the group has a very active and hard working core of helpers, who all appreciate her efforts, and try to follow her example.
Liz still has time to be active a number of other local organisations, such as the Women’s Institute, the Embroiderers Guild, and the Horticultural Society, and has been Chair of all of these, whilst still leading Uddingston Pride – she seems to have a boundless source of energy.
She has thoroughly deserved her BEM, and the whole Community of Uddingston is delighted to see her efforts on behalf of the Community get the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.
Congratulations for us all at Keep Scotland Beautiful Liz!