Coleraine congratulated by Minister after winning Best Kept accolade

The Minister was attending the presentation of the 2010 SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards last Tuesday when he praised the winning communities for their commitment to environmental excellence.

In this year’s SuperValu Best Kept Awards Coleraine was named the Best Kept Large Town in Northern Ireland.

The annual Best Kept Awards are organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and sponsored by independent retail group SuperValu.

Pioneered in the 1950’s, they have commended thousands of towns, villages, housing areas, schools and healthcare facilities on their work to improve the environment over the past six decades.

Minister Poots said; “I would like to congratulate all of the winners in this year’s SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards. It is clear to see how much work these local communities have put into maintaining and improving their shared spaces and what a difference this makes to residents and visitors.”

Winning towns and villages were presented with a personalised sign, a park bench made from recycled materials and a monetary donation towards their environmental endeavours. Winners of the Best Kept Housing Area Awards received a Best Kept sign.

Doreen Muskett MBE, President of NIAC commented; “It is evident that the community in Coleraine has a great deal of civic pride. It is also clear that local people work together to achieve these great results and this community involvement is what being a Best Kept winner is all about.”