100th Business Supporter Milestone for Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere has reached a new milestone with the 100th business signing up as a Biosphere Proud Supporter.

'Home Cook School' is based in Maybole South Ayrshire where owner Lindsay Guidi can now show her commitment by displaying her 'Proud Supporter' certificate and using the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Proud Supporter logo.

Alongside the 100 businesses are another 160 individuals and organisations who have also shown their commitment to the biosphere by signing up as Proud Supporters.

Joan Mitchell Chair of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere partnership said "The Biosphere brings a unique opportunity to brand and market the businesses and communities of SW Scotland under the international banner of being a UNESCO Biosphere in a way that makes us stand out from the rest of the crowd! By signing up as a Proud Supporter businesses like Lindsay's can be recognised for their commitment to the local economy, environment and community through running their business in a way that also supports the goals of the Biosphere. More and more people want to buy and use services from businesses that are thinking local and acting sustainably so signing up to the charter also makes good business sense."

Home Cook School offers tailor-made cooking tuition.to individuals, groups and community classes championing authentic Scottish dishes and local produce. Its owner Lindsay Guidi said "I am really proud to be the 100th Business Supporter in the Biosphere. Food is my passion and as an Ayrshire business many of my lessons focus on 'Scottish', 'Ayrshire', seasonal cooking and food culture. I am an advocate of healthy eating habits and encourage 'grow your own' principles through my lessons. As a business it is important to me to support and work with other business so I use produce from food businesses and farmers locally. It's great to be recognised by the Biosphere for how I operate my business and be acknowledged for sharing the same principles"

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is a unique and special place. So much so that the area has been designated a UNESCO 'Biosphere': a status awarded to world-class environments that demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. The purpose of the Biosphere is to help protect the natural and cultural diversity of the region while promoting sustainable economic development.

Girvan and Maybole are just two of the many small towns and surrounding villages in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere that are just as important to its existence and well-being as the National Nature Reserves of Cairnsmore, Silver Flowe and the Merrick Kells Site of Special Scientific Interest which together make up the Biospheres Core Areas.

Councillor Alec Clark, representing South Ayrshire Council on the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership said: "This is an important milestone for South Ayrshire; we now have 100 businesses and social enterprises raising the profile of our Biosphere and promoting the value of working with nature.

"Biospheres across the globe attract large numbers of tourists so our visitor attractions, accommodation providers, restaurants and other businesses could all benefit. There are only two Biospheres in Scotland so we are keen to shout about our status from the rooftops. Business will continue to play a key role but perhaps more importantly it's our work to highlight the Biosphere in our schools with young people benefitting from hands on involvement that could bring about real change in the future."