Blooming best in the Borough announced

The winners and runners-up in the Mid and East Antrim ‘In Bloom’ Community Competition has been announced.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Maureen Morrow, said: "Councils ‘In Bloom’ competition encourages everyone in the Borough to think about their local environment and how flowers, plants and gardens can enhance it for people and wildlife.

“I have been really impressed with the quality of entrants to the competition this year from all across the Borough. It has been an opportunity for me to see the variety of horticultural talent we have here. Well done everyone and please keep up the great work.”

Winners and runners up will be invited to an awards ceremony in October.

Cllr Morrow added: “I would also like to remind everyone that the deadline for the very popular Tallest Sunflower entries is 1 September. The Painting, Poetry, and the Best School Gardening Project Competitions remain open until 30 September.”

Competition winners and runners-up are as follows:

Best Kept Front Garden

Winner: Frances and Jack Wilson, Glenarm

Runner up: Anderson Weir, Gracehill

Runner up: Elizabeth Holmes, Cullybackey

Best Kept Front Container Garden

Winner: Bertie Mark, Gracehill

Runner up: Philomena Corey, Carrickfergus

Runner up: Brice Rea, Larne

Runner up: Isobel McCormick, Islandmagee

Best Allotment Garden

Winner: Alan Rice, Larne Allotment Gardens

Runner up: Michael Tuke, Eden Allotment Gardens

Runner up: Patricia Beattie, Greenisland Allotment Gardens

Best Community Planting Scheme

Winner: Ballymena Base Garden

Runner up: Islandmagee Community Garden

Runner up: Charles Sheils Community, Carrickfergus

Best Commercial Premises

Winner: The Bank House, Whitehead

Runner up: Willow Beauty, Ballymena

Runner up: Hairtopia, Whitehead

Gardening for Wildlife Award

Winner: Damien McAllister, Portglenone

Runner up: Yvonne Milliken, Ballymena

Runner up: Brian Pollard, Whitehead