Borough in bloom as 7m flowers herald start of spring

Despite the late spring, Craigavon is blooming with around seven million crocus and daffodils planted by Craigavon Borough Council’s environmental services department.

The myriad of flowers have been planted in 24 areas and entrances to estates, blooming and blossoming thanks to the Neighbourhood in Bloom Project. Council sustainability officer, Ciaran Coleman was the brainchild behind the project.

This is a £370,000 investment by the Department for Social Development in neighbourhood renewal areas in Brownlow, Lurgan and North West Portadown.

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“It’s all about inspiring local people to work together for their local community taking pride in their area, cleaning it up making it a better place to live in,” said Councillor Gemma McKenna, chair of the environmental services committee.

Residents and visitors are now enjoying the recent planted 4.5 million daffodils and about 2.6 million crocuses which have given a new lease of life to several dull areas.”

As well as that the council is organising 24 community clean-ups with local residents, establishing litter action groups to carry this work forward after the project ends.

The council is supplying skips and equipment, organising talks and generally raising awareness of environmental improvements.

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The Neighbourhood in Bloom project is continuing until December this year.

Ms McKenna told Craigavon Council’s meeting on Tuesday night that the borough in bloom is “beautiful”.

She urged council to keep the grass cut and the streets clean.

“Environmental services have done a really great job enhancing the area,” she said.

Mayor Carla Lockhart thanked environmental services for their work in planting all the daffodils. She said she had people mention to her on numerous occasions about how beautiful they looked.