Groups of volunteer community gardeners have been busy preparing for a season of blooming success in cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland as the 2023 Translink Ulster in Bloom awards were launched this week at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey.
The popular horticultural, community and environmental awards which are held each year in partnership with Translink and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), celebrate the work carried out by community groups, volunteers, council teams and Translink staff, bringing people together to create cleaner and greener areas for people to enjoy nature.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s competition, Marie Mallon, OBE, a Translink non-executive director, said:
“Ulster in Bloom is a fantastic demonstration of how communities work best when they come together. At Translink we’re committed to helping create a cleaner, greener world and delivering services which better connect people and communities across Northern Ireland.
“The time, effort and dedication which Ulster in Bloom teams of volunteers, council workers and support groups give to their local areas, big and small, is always wonderful to see and we’re looking forward to seeing the results of all the hard work and celebrating the success of the summer months.”
Speaking at the launch event, Cllr Billy Webb MBE, NILGA Vice-President, said:
"As your Local Government Association, NILGA represents, promotes and champions local government on behalf of all councils. With the ongoing support of the councils and our sponsors Translink, the competition is going from strength to strength, improving the quality of life for citizens right across the region, while also enhancing our cities, towns, and villages.
“For everyone involved, Translink Ulster in Bloom celebrates the successes that can be achieved when we all come together to take pride in the places where we live and work, and together, create a better environment for everyone to enjoy”.
Attendees at the event also heard from Ian Marshall, Senior Gardener at the National Trust’s Florence Court who spoke about the restoration of the estate’s Kitchen Garden which was carried out with the help of a group of volunteer gardeners.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the Translink Ulster in Bloom, contact NILGA on 028 9079 8972 or email office@nilga.org.
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All media enquiries to: Charlotte Richardson, Translink tel. 07890 061887 Charlotte.Richardson@translink.co.uk