Merville Garden Village picks up award

Doreen Muskett MBE, Ian Campbell, Open+Direct Insurance Glengormley branch, Ruth Robinson, Minister Mark H Durkan, Alderman John Blair, Joe Mahon, Lorraine Duncan and Ruth Coyle, Open+Direct Insurance Belfast branch. INNT 44-801CON

The housing estate on the Shore Road at Whitehouse was awarded the Best Kept Large Housing area award at the NI Amenity Council ceremony.

The awards were presented by the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan at the function, which was held at the Guildhall in Londonderry.

The Minister praised the efforts made by local communities who helped their areas to win awards.

“These awards are a great way to recognise the contribution of many who give up their own time and efforts to showcase and enhance their local environment.

“The communities who participated are taking pride in their surroundings, making them a more attractive place for people to live, for tourists to visit and for people to do business. I commend all who took part and warmly congratulate each of the winners,” he said.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Doreen Muskett MBE, Chair of the NIAC congratulated the Merville residents on their achievement.

“Congratulations to Merville Garden Village on their achievement. The Best Kept Awards have been existence since 1957 and are now very firmly established as one of the ultimate accolades for towns and villages across Northern Ireland, so the people of Newtownabbey should be rightly proud,” she said.

Mayor Thomas Hogg and Deputy Mayor John Blair have both congratulated the residents of Merville on the Best Kept award.

The awards are organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council and are sponsored by Open + Direct Insurance. They recognise communities that go the extra mile in creating well maintained, clean and beautiful areas in which to live and work.

John Laverty, Retail Network Manager from Open+Direct Insurance said: “As proud sponsors of the Best Kept Awards I would like to extend my congratulations to Merville Garden Village on their fantastic achievement. These awards reflect the efforts of those who feel passionately about their surroundings and how they reflect on the community, and everyone involved should be delighted that their time and effort has been rewarded.”