Mid and East Antrim residents hailed for award-winning gardens

The praise came from the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, as he announced the winners and runners-up in the ‘In Bloom’ Community Competition general categories.

Ald Williams said: "Through council’s ‘In Bloom’ campaign we encourage everyone in the borough to think about their local environment and how flowers, plants and gardens can enhance it for people and wildlife. By actively supporting our ‘In Bloom’ campaign and competitions, residents not only make their garden, school or business more attractive but can boost tourism and the economy in their local areas.

“I have been really impressed with the quality of entrants to the competition this year from all across the borough. It has been an opportunity for me to see the variety of horticultural talent we have here. Well done everyone and please keep up the great work.”

The winners (named first) and runners-up are as follows:

Best Kept Front Garden – Craig Holmes, Cullybackey; Brett Harris, Larne; Caroline Harkness, Carrickfergus; John Anderson Weir, Gracehill; Elizabeth Boyd, Cullybackey.

Best Kept Front Container Garden – Ruth and Jim Wasson, Carrickfergus; Jenny Hawthorne, Eden; Davina Smylie, Cullybackey.

Best Allotment Garden – Debbie McFall, Larne Allotment Gardens; Luba Tarane, Greenisland Allotment Gardens; Sharon Thoburn, Eden Allotment Gardens.

Best Community Planting Scheme – Island Community Garden, Islandmagee; Charles Sheils Community, Carrickfergus; IncrEDIBLE Garden Community Action Project, Larne; Brighter Whitehead, Whitehead.

Best Commercial Premises – Steady Eddie, Larne; Ballycairn House, Ballygally; Hairtopia, Whitehead.

Gardening for Wildlife Award - Nancy McKeown, Greenisland; Christine Harper, Carrickfergus; Sharon Thoburn, Eden Allotments.

The categories ‘Best Kept Front Garden’, ‘Best Kept Front Container Garden’, ‘Best Kept Commercial Premises’ and the ‘Gardening for Wildlife Award’ 2022 were sponsored by Ben Vista Garden Centre, Ballymena.