Mid and East Antrim 'In Bloom' Community Awards

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor William McCaughey, has presented the Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Community Awards winners with their prizes.

The Mayor visited the winners in their front gardens and in their villages across the Borough. Prizes were also distributed to runners up by the parks team.

The Mayor said: “Our ‘In Bloom’ Community Competitions are an important way for us to celebrate local people, volunteers, and local businesses, who actively support our ‘In Bloom’ campaign and who dedicate so much time to planting floral displays, improving areas for biodiversity, keeping towns and villages clean and tidy and ‘greening the grey’ by brightening up forgotten corners.

“All this not only beautifies our Borough, but can help boost the economy and tourism.

“This year has again emphasised the vital role that gardens and outdoor spaces played – and continue to play – in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the nation during lockdown and restrictions. Reports are showing that gardens, event balconies or window boxes, played a key part in stress reduction, with other benefits being time to watch and encourage wildlife, connecting with neighbours ‘over the garden gate’, and enjoying the sanctuary of outdoor spaces.

“I am delighted the Mid and East Antrim in Bloom Community Competitions continue to be so well supported by our citizens. We had entries from all across the Borough and the time and dedication of entrants is astonishing and a credit to all involved. Everyone who took part should be very proud of their achievements. Thank you all for your great efforts. Please keep up the good work, as we work together to create a better and more colourful future for everyone.”

Thirty-four individuals, businesses and community groups were recognised via the Mid and East Antrim in Bloom Community Awards this year. Best Kept Front Garden winner was Sarah Bandy from Islandmagee, the Best Kept Front Container Garden Winner was Jackie Wilson from Glenarm. The Best Kept Allotment Garden winner was Christine Gibson from Larne and the Gardening for Wildlife winner was Irene McKay from Islandmagee. Tullagh Community Garden in Ballymena won the Best Community Planting Scheme award and Ballycairn House in Ballygally won the Best Commercial Premises award.

Best School Gardening Project was awarded to Woodburn Primary School in Carrickfergus. Young gardeners from Eden, Ahoghill and Carrickfergus grew the Tallest Sunflowers in the Borough with the tallest measuring 3m 29cm. Abigail Best, age 7, from Greenisland won the Blooming Creative award for her drawing of a beautiful sunflower. Carly Ogilvie was crowned Volunteer of the Year and Regan Loughran from Ballymena and Oliver Rawle from Ahoghill were awarded Young Volunteer of the Year. Brighter Whitehead was recognised for their Outstanding Contribution to In Bloom.

For a full list of winners and runners up, for more information and to keep up to date you can go to: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/inbloom