Moneymore named as Northern Ireland’s ‘most improved village’

Moneymore has been named as the ‘most improved’ village in the 2015 Open+Direct Insurance Best Kept Awards.
Pictured (l-r) Joe Mahon, Doreen Muskett MBE, Paddy Conlon, Minister Mark H Durkan and John Laverty, Open+Direct Insurance Retail Network Manager.Pictured (l-r) Joe Mahon, Doreen Muskett MBE, Paddy Conlon, Minister Mark H Durkan and John Laverty, Open+Direct Insurance Retail Network Manager.
Pictured (l-r) Joe Mahon, Doreen Muskett MBE, Paddy Conlon, Minister Mark H Durkan and John Laverty, Open+Direct Insurance Retail Network Manager.

The awards, which recognise communities that go the extra mile in creating well maintained, clean and beautiful areas in which to live and work, are run by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council and have been in operation for more than 50 years.

Congratulating the local community and Mid Ulster District Council staff, Chair of the Council, Councillor Linda Dillon, said: “Moneymore always looks so well kept and attractive and that’s the result of a joint effort by our staff who clean, plant and nurture floral displays and local people who take pride in the appearance of their own village and actively work to protect and enhance their own environment”.

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Presentations to the winners were made by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, who said: “In the North we are blessed with a beautiful natural and built environment. It is one of our greatest assets and we all share the responsibility for protecting and improving it, for current and future generations. 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.”

The Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) ‘Best Kept’ awards were first introduced by Professor Arthur Muskett in 1957. The ‘Best Kept’ initiative, aimed at schools, healthcare facilities and community groups, tasks volunteers to work together in groups to improve their local areas and showcase their civic pride.