Mid and East Antrim Borough blooms in Ulster floral awards

The results of the 2016 Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition, just announced, officially recognise Northern Ireland’s top gardening talent, with numerous awards coming to the area. The top Large Town category went to Ballymena, the Small Town to Ahoghill, the Large Village award went to Cullybackey which also achieved the prestigious ‘Most Improved’ title at the same time. The Community Rail Halt Award went to Whitehead Train Station. Meanwhile, Bill Pollock from ‘Brighter Whitehead’ is the winner of the Ulsterbus Tours Community Champion Award in recognition of the lasting and positive difference he has made personally to his local area by embracing the ‘Ulster in Bloom’ ethos. The borough’s First Citizen, Councillor Audrey Wales, who attended the Awards in Portrush last week said: “I am very happy indeed with the results of this annual horticultural competition. “We support the way it encourages cities, towns and villages right across Northern Ireland to look their best, boosting civic pride through beautiful plant and floral displays. “I congratulate all those who participated across the whole Borough, including the many local people who so happily embraced the concept of civic pride and all the hard work of our own Parks and Open Spaces staff.” The Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland local Government Association (NILGA). With the ongoing partnership support of the 11 councils and sponsors Translink, NILGA is committed to building on the culture of the competition and growing it into the future through the council’s community planning powers. The annual horticultural event encourages cities, towns and villages right across Northern Ireland to look their best, boosting civic pride through beautiful plant and floral displays. This year’s competition attracted 156 entries from local councils, community groups, businesses, bus and train stations. Local MLA Robin Swann praised “the outstanding achievement of organisers from Cullybackey, Ahoghill and Ballymena who made it a triple triumph in the latest Ulster in Bloom awards”. Mr Swann said “warmest congratulations to all those involved, especially the local volunteers from these areas who have brought tremendous credit to their communities. Once again, folks from the constituency have brought us honours in this prestigious competition. They are truly beacons of success.”