Flower Power is recognised

Cllr Billy Ashe joins Derek McKay and Wallace Elder from Ahoghill in Bloom as they are congratulated on their Communities in Bloom win by the Canadian Consul, Ken Brundle, second from right. (Submitted Picture)

Mid & East Antrim Borough’s famous floral displays burst into bloom in late summer when both Ahoghill and Glenarm celebrated wins at the international awards in Canada.

The Borough’s Mayor, Cr Billy Ashe said the Council wanted to “properly congratulate” both Ahoghill in Bloom and Glenarm in Bloom for this remarkable achievement and brought representatives from the two villages together mid-month.

Meeting first in Ahoghill and then in Glenarm, the Mayor welcomed the volunteers and guest of honour, the Honorary Canadian Consul, Ken Brundle, to jointly mark the prestigious awards that were originally made during the 2015 Communities in Bloom National Symposium & Awards Ceremonies in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada earlier this year.

Cr Ashe joined Derek McKay, Wallace Elder and other leading members from Ahoghill in Bloom as they were officially congratulated on their Communities in Bloom win by the Consul. He recalled that Ahoghill took the ‘Five Blooms’ - Bronze and a special recognition under the category of ‘Positive Partnerships’, awarded under the International Challenge (Medium) category.

He said: “In conjunction with Council staff, they enhanced civic pride, community involvement and aided the beautification of their two already stunning villages and I am very pleased that this has now been officially recognised at an international level.”