Triple success at award ceremony

Lisburn has received the Roses in Towns Award and Hillsborough scooped the Large Village Award at the 2014 Translink Ulster in Bloom ceremony in Malone House, Belfast. Pictured celebrating the achievement are l-r Mark Gregg, Lisburn City Council, Cllr Evelyne Robinson MBE, Northern Ireland Local Government Association Vice President, Cllr Thomas Beckett, Deputy Mayor of Lisburn City Council, and Angela Coffey, Translink Board Member.

Hillsborough won the Large Village title while Lisburn City won the Roses in Towns category and Lisburn Railway Station was second in the Best Station Award in the ceremony at Malone House.

2014 marked the 36th year of the Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition which is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association.

At the awards ceremony in Malone House, Angela Coffey, Translink board member, said: “Ulster in Bloom plays an important role improving local areas, not only through beautiful plant and floral displays but by building community engagement levels and boosting civic pride.

“At Translink, we remain committed to bringing more and more people to these cities, towns and villages by bus and train. Our new ‘Smartmoves’ campaign highlights all the ways public transport can help people save time and money as well as enjoy hassle-free & relaxing journeys. Attractive transport connections coupled with attractive destinations will make a lasting positive impression on visitors to Northern Ireland encouraging them to return.

“This Competition is also a shining example of effective community engagement with impressive outcomes and we would like to thank all of the participants for their hard work and enthusiasm.

“We are already planning the 2015 Awards and are looking forward to working closely with the 11 new councils for what is lining-up to be another very competitive year,” said Angela.

Councillor Evelyne Robinson said: “I am delighted to be here with you representing the Northern Ireland Local Government Association in what is a wonderful celebration of the coming together of local communities, councils, businesses and supporters to improve our communities through the Translink Ulster in Bloom competition.

“NILGA represents, promotes, sustains and improves local government on behalf of its 26 member councils, it is therefore fitting that we fully support and endorse Translink Ulster in Bloom across each individual council area, and we will continue this added value, regional development and policy informing role with the 11 councils when they formally come into being in just over one week’s time.

“The competition gives us great drive, and the opportunity to support our citizens in making Northern Ireland a better places in which to live. To the winners we say thank you for leading by example.”