Borough reaps success in annual Ulster in Bloom awards

There was success for Newtownabbey in the Translink Ulster in Bloom competition as Ballynure and Ballyeaston both scooped awards.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Sep 2015, 07:00 BST
Joseph Beggs, Kenny McFall, Ivor McMullan and Jacqui Dixon from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Alderman John Smyth, Mayor Thomas Hogg, Alderman Carla Lockhart, Bernard Mitchell, Richard Wallace and Isobel Wallace from Ballynure Residents' Group, James Gault and Archie Davidson from Ballyeaston in Bloom and Frank Moore. INNT 38-825CONJoseph Beggs, Kenny McFall, Ivor McMullan and Jacqui Dixon from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Alderman John Smyth, Mayor Thomas Hogg, Alderman Carla Lockhart, Bernard Mitchell, Richard Wallace and Isobel Wallace from Ballynure Residents' Group, James Gault and Archie Davidson from Ballyeaston in Bloom and Frank Moore. INNT 38-825CON
Joseph Beggs, Kenny McFall, Ivor McMullan and Jacqui Dixon from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Alderman John Smyth, Mayor Thomas Hogg, Alderman Carla Lockhart, Bernard Mitchell, Richard Wallace and Isobel Wallace from Ballynure Residents' Group, James Gault and Archie Davidson from Ballyeaston in Bloom and Frank Moore. INNT 38-825CON

Ballynure was placed third in the village category while Ballyeaston was awarded third place in the small village category.

There was also individual success for Richard Wallace from Ballynure who won the Ulsterbus Tours Community Champion Award.

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The member of Ballynure Residents Group came out on top, winning the award in recognition of the lasting and positive difference he has made to his local area by embracing the Ulster in Bloom ethos.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Thomas Hogg paid tribute to the hard work that Mr Wallace had put in.

“I would like to congratulate Mr Wallace on having won the prestigious award of Community Champion. It’s so important to have people like him living within the borough, who take pride in their area and want to make it the best it can be,” Mr Hogg said.

The annual awards competition, which is now in its 37th year, encourages cities, towns and villages from across Northern Ireland to look their best as the community joins together to plant floral displays in their areas.

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Councillor Hogg was also pleased that the floral displays in the borough were recognised by the judges.

“This is an extremely proud day for the borough. So many people comment to me on how beautiful the borough looks with its stunning floral displays. I would like to congratulate all the council staff on their hard work and dedication,” he added.

This year the competition attracted 163 entries from across Northern Ireland. The entrants came from a number of fields including representatives from local council areas, local community groups, businesses, bus and train stations as well as nine community champion nominations.

The winners will be presented with their awards in March 2016.

Related topics:UlsterTranslinkNewtownabbey