A Borough in Bloom

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Councillor Billy Ashe, is urging green-fingered citizens to help make the Borough beautiful by officially launching the 2016 ‘In Bloom’ campaign and related community competitions.

Cllr Ashe said that Mid and East Antrim’s ‘In Bloom’ campaign is an opportunity to make the Borough bloom even more this year.

“We can all help and take part by filling a hanging basket, planting a tree or just keeping the garden tidy - there is something for everyone to do to ensure our Borough looks its best. Applications are welcome from all residents of the Borough and competition entry is free of charge. Why not consider nominating a neighbor's garden and other properties that you think are attractive and deserve recognition?” Cllr Ashe said.

There are 10 community competitions with great prizes available for winners and runners-up in each.  The general categories range from Best Kept Garden to Best Kept Allotment so there is sure to be something for everyone.

There are four competitions for young horticulturalists too – Painting, Poetry, Best School Gardening Project and of course, the hotly contested Tallest Sunflower Competition. In fact, Council staff have been busy this week delivering 5,000 free packets of sunflower seeds to schools across the Borough to get pupils started. Silverstream Primary School, Greenisland, pupils are shown below as they receive their free sunflower seeds.

Silverstream Primary School Gardening Club receive free sunflower seeds

General Categories

1.       Best Kept Front Garden;

2.       Best Kept Front Container Garden;

3.       Best Kept Community Planting Scheme;

4.       Best Kept Allotment Garden;

5.       Best Kept Commercial Premises;

6.       Gardening for Wildlife Award;

Young people's (16 and under) Categories

7.       Tallest Sunflower Competition;

8.       Painting Competition;

9.       Poetry Competition;

10.     Best School Gardening Project.

Judging criteria for General Categories: 1) Design and general effect; 2) Plant variety and diversity; 3) Cleanliness and neatness (presentation); 4) Quality of plant growth & produce (husbandry); 5) Special features (e.g. wildlife area, pool etc.); 6) Plants in bloom.

There are prizes for winners and runners up in each category and winners and runners up will be invited to an awards ceremony in October. Entries 1 to 6 must be received by 20th July. Entry 7 must be received by 1 September. Entries 8 to 10 must be received by 30 September.

For more information please click here