Translink Ulster in Bloom Awards make a welcome return.
Northern Ireland’s prestigious gardening honours, the Translink Ulster in Bloom Awards, made a welcome return yesterday, celebrating the fantastic work of green-fingered gardening enthusiasts across the country.
The much-loved annual horticultural, environmental and community competition officially recognises the most beautiful plant and floral displays across local cities, towns and villages.
The 2021 Award winners by category were: City Large Town / City - Derry City (Derry City & Strabane District Council); Large Town / Small City - Ballymena (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council); Town - Donaghadee (Ards & North Down Borough Council); Small Town - Randalstown (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council); Large Village - Cullybackey (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council); Village - Donaghmore (Mid Ulster District Council); and Small Village - Ballynure (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council).
The ‘Most Improved’ title went to Moira (Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) and the Translink 25th Anniversary Display award was presented to Randalstown (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council).
Special Award winners were: Ahoghill for the Youth Award (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council); Caledon, (Mid Ulster District Council), Edenderry- Village, (Belfast City Council) and Whiteabbey (Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council) were presented in the Community category; meanwhile The Hillside, Hillsborough; McConnells Bar, Doagh; and Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh were presented Floral Presentation Awards.
Helen Boyd, from Tidy Randalstown the winner of the Translink Community Champion Award in recognition of the lasting and positive difference she has made to her local area by embracing the ‘Ulster in Bloom’ ethos.
The Best Station title was won by Whitehead Railway Station (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council).
Speaking at the Awards, Translink Chairman Michael Wardlow said:
“Translink is proud of its long-standing role in Ulster in Bloom and it’s great to see the competition grow each year, with 125 entries representing all local council areas as well as 24 bus and train stations entering this year.
“It is heartening to see such fantastic demonstrations of community spirit in action, especially given the challenging times everyone has experienced. These awards clearly highlight the pride so many have for their local areas. The time and dedication given to creating such beautiful spaces is commendable. It’s also great to see so much biodiversity and a focus on sustainability, whether through the use of wildflowers or community allotments, this goes hand in hand with Translink’s Climate Positive Strategy to create a cleaner, greener world for generations to come.
“Our winners demonstrate a true Ulster in Bloom ethos with their skill and enthusiasm to improve their local environment for local people and visitors to enjoy. On behalf of Translink, I’d like to congratulate all our Ulster in Bloom Champions.”
The Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA). Councillor Frances Burton, Vice President, NILGA, said:
“The 2021 Translink Ulster in Bloom campaign demonstrated the enormous value and commitment of the 11 councils and our many ‘Bloom’ communities, encouraging us to care for our local places and the wider environment, supporting biodiversity, conservation, wildlife habitats, sustainable planting and the conservation of resources.
“As councils and councillors, a focus on improving the quality of life for citizens right across NI and enhancing our cities, towns and villages has never been more important given the impact of the pandemic on all of us over the past 18 months.
“On behalf of NILGA, our sincere thanks to all those who champion the “In Bloom” message of councils, local committees, residents and businesses, coming together to take pride in the places where you live and work, creating a better environment for everyone to share. Congratulations to everyone and thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.” said Councillor Burton.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the Translink Ulster in Bloom 2022 Competition contact NILGA on m.maher@nilga.org.
ENDS
THE RESULTS OF THE 2021 TRANSLINK ‘ULSTER IN BLOOM’ COMPETITION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TRANSLINK ULSTER IN BLOOM 2021 RESULTS
|
Translink Ulster in Bloom |
Winner |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
|
Large Town / City |
Derry City (Derry City & Strabane District Council) |
Belfast City (Belfast City Council) |
City of Lisburn (Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) |
|
Large Town / Small City |
Ballymena (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
Carrickfergus (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
Coleraine (Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council) Larne (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
|
Town |
Donaghadee (Ards & North Down Borough Council) |
Antrim (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council) |
Comber (Ards & North Down Borough Council) Magherafelt (Mid Ulster District Council) |
|
Small Town |
Randalstown (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council) |
Ahoghill (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
Whitehead (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
|
Large Village |
Cullybackey (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
Stewartstown (Mid Ulster District Council) |
Saintfield (Newry Mourne & Down District Council) |
|
Village |
Donaghmore (Mid Ulster District Council) |
Ballystrudder (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
Glenarm (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
|
Small Village
|
Ballynure (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council) |
Charlestown Village (Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council) |
Edenderry Village (Belfast City Council) |
|
Stations |
|
|
|
|
Floral Stations |
Whitehead Railway Station (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council) |
Lisburn Rail Station (Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) |
Carnalea Rail Station (Ards & North Down Borough Council) Downpatrick Buscentre (Newry Mourne & Down District Council) |
|
|
|
|
Most Improved
|
Moira (Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council) |
|
Special Awards |
1. Ahoghill, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Youth Award |
|
2. Caledon, Mid Ulster District Council Community Award - Allotments |
|
|
3. Edenderry Village, Belfast City Council Community Award - Allotments |
|
|
4. Whiteabbey, (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council) Community Award, Whiteabbey Glen |
|
|
5. The Hillside, Hillsborough Floral Presentation Award |
|
|
6. McConnells Bar, Doagh Floral Presentation Award |
|
|
7. Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh Floral Presentation Award |
|
|
Translink 25th Anniversary Display |
Randalstown
|
|
2021 Community Champion Award |
Helen Boyd, Tidy Randalstown |
