Now Ahoghill scoops ‘best kept’ title

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/10/2014: Ahoghill in Co Antrim has been named the overall winner in the 2014 Best Kept Towns, Villages and Housing Areas awards, organised by the NI Amenity Council. Celebrating their success are John Small, Alderman Maurice Mills, Denise Reynolds and Derek McKay with Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chair of NI Amenity Council (2nd left).
PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON — PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/10/2014: Ahoghill in Co Antrim has been named the overall winner in the 2014 Best Kept Towns, Villages and Housing Areas awards, organised by the NI Amenity Council. Celebrating their success are John Small, Alderman Maurice Mills, Denise Reynolds and Derek McKay with Doreen Muskett, MBE, Chair of NI Amenity Council (2nd left). PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON

The prestigious award was collected by Ballymena Borough Council members and local representatives at the ceremony, which was held in Banbridge.

Independently run by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the awards programme recognises and rewards the towns, villages and housing areas that take pride in their appearance and environment.

Accepting the award on behalf of Ballymena Borough Council, Alderman Maurice Mills said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the borough of Ballymena has done so well at the 2014 Best Kept Awards, winning the Best Kept Medium Housing Area award for The Commons and Best Kept Large Village and Overall Winner awards for Ahoghill.

“It’s a tremendous achievement and one that wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our local communities. Thank you very much to all the volunteers who are so committed to making the area such a beautiful place to live and work in, it is very much appreciated.”

Doreen Muskett MBE, Chair of the Amenity Council said: “My congratulations to Ahoghill for winning the ‘Best of the Best’ prize, it was very well deserved. The judges feel that the village is a showpiece in so far as well kept villages are concerned, and noted that community participation is very much a factor in this.

“It takes a lot of effort and collaboration between volunteers, local councils and residents to maintain an aesthetically pleasing environment. These people should be very proud of their achievements as they provide a terrific service to their whole community.”