Borough’s high flyers are praised by Mayor

At the outset of last Monday night’s monthly meeting in Ardeevin, civic congratulations were extended to:

* New Years Honours Award Recipients - Mrs Rosemary Magill (MBE), for services to Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne & Newtownabbey; and, Dr Samuel John Burnside (MBE), for services to the Arts in Northern Ireland (originally from Ahoghill). The Mayor also congratulated councillors from outside the borough who were honoured by The Queen - Alderman John Mervyn Rea (MBE), Antrim Borough Council for services to Local Government and the community; and, Councillor Marion Smith (MBE), North Down Borough Council for services to Local Government in Northern Ireland.

* Rosetta McMaster, Galgorm Care Home, on reaching and celebrating her 100th birthday.

* Ballymena man Michael O’Neill on securing the post as Manager of the Northern Ireland International Football Team.

* Council’s own Braid and Wellington Court facilities which both won awards at the recent Loo of the Year Awards in the National Category for Northern Ireland for ‘accessible toilet’ and ‘Attendant of the Year’ respectively.

* Moor Estate in Glenwherry on being awarded the Bronze Award at the Purdy Awards for Game and Conservation, held in London’s Mayfair recently. The estate was described as an “extraordinary conservation project” and the prize recognised their excellent team work with a number of organisations as well as their efforts in restoring red grouse in sustainable numbers across the Moor.

* Johanna Montgomery from Woodland Kitchens in Ballymena who scooped three top kitchen industry awards this year. She won Young Designer of the Year at the Kitchen Retailer Ireland awards as well as Designer of the Year and Young Designer of the year at Ireland’s Kitchen Trade Awards.

* Ballymena rugby team members on being praised as “magnificent ambassadors for their school, sport and society after the Ballymena club clinched the coveted Ulster Senior Cup for the 12th time at Ravenhill.

* Sixteen year old Derek McMillan from Kells who had a sensational result at the recent Stock Rods Best in Britain Championship in Ipswich when he finished in fourth place on only his second ever outing in the senior class.

* Ballymena Runners who returned home from the recent British and Irish masters Cross Country international with three team medals. Noel Connor claimed a silver medal, while James Turtle and Ray Curran won bronze medals.

* Two Ballymena swimmers who won awards in the Ulster Open championships held in Bangor recently - St. Louis Grammar pupil Oonagh O’Neill was crowned the Ulster Junior Champion in the 100 m and St. Patricks College student Ryan Wray won a double 1st place and a 3rd place in the 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststrokes.

*Ballymena Borough Council on receiving an award at the recent William Keown Trust Access Awards and also Wrightbus, Wellington Presbyterian Church and Green Pastures Church who also received awards in recognition of their contribution to an accessible, user-friendly environment.