Borough Success at Gardening Oscars

Carrickfergus Borough has scooped two Silver Gilt awards at the 50th Britain in Bloom UK Final awards in Bristol. Britain in Bloom is Europe’s biggest community gardening campaign run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Carrickfergus was successful in the Large Town category and Whitehead scooped another Silver Gilt in the Small Town category.

 

Commenting on the experience of taking part in Britain in Bloom 2014, Alderman May Beattie, Chairperson of the Parks and Countryside Sub Committee of Carrickfergus Borough Council stated: “Once again we have benefitted immensely from participating in Europe’s premier horticultural awards scheme. From an aesthetical perspective, the Borough’s planting schemes are looking tremendously well. However, on a more important note, it is the immense community and voluntary participation and support of our initiatives, at creating and maintaining our blooming borough on an all year round basis that is pivotal in our ability to take part in this prestigious competition. I would like to commend all who took part in this year’s initiative.”

Stephen Daye, Parks and Countryside Development Officer who attended the ceremony which was held at the Bristol Marriott City Centre and was attended by almost 400 community gardening champions, said “This is a wonderful accolade for the Borough. It is the result of much hard work and no-one should underestimate the amount of effort which has gone into this campaign by all our partners. Our Borough's successes could not have happened without the generous support of local people, businesses and schools; and statuary bodies such as Carrickfergus Borough Council, the Housing Executive and Department of Regional Development.”

Bill Pollock, Chairperson of Brighter Whitehead who also attended the ceremony said “Britain in Bloom is a magnificent opportunity for Whitehead to enhance its surroundings and create beautiful displays that are enjoyed by everybody. Our ‘in bloom’ campaign is much more than flowers and making the town look good for one day; instead it is a 365 day initiative that looks at sustainable development and biodiversity, conservation and recycling, local environmental quality, permanent landscaping, and public awareness of the environment. I would encourage everybody interested in our campaign to visit the Brighter Whitehead website (www.brighterwhitehead.co.uk) for further details on our campaign and how you can help us next year.

Commenting on Carrickfergus in Bloom’s efforts, RHS judges Brendan Mowforth & Mark Wasilewski said: ‘An evident community spirit has been fostered and is well supported by the strong relationship with and support from Carrickfergus Borough Council. There is a very strong emphasis on biodiversity, health and well-being, and the Brighter Whitehead Group works actively in fostering cohesion across all sections of the town.”

The RHS Britain in Bloom awards are a chance to celebrate the work of dedicated volunteers across the UK, of which there are up to 300,000, and to recognise achievement, innovation and a commitment to keeping our villages, towns and cities clean, green and thriving.
Bloom volunteers collectively invest nearly 11 million hours every year into local Bloom activities, which equates to almost £70 million at the National Minimum Wage. It is hoped that the transformation of community spaces championed at the RHS Britain in Bloom awards ceremony will encourage even more people to get involved and help continue to make a positive difference over the next 50 years.

Carrickfergus Borough is ‘Growing for Gold’

Carrickfergus in Bloom is distributing 4,000 packs of sunflower seed to local school children to promote its Tallest Sunflower Competition and also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom. Carrickfergus & Whitehead towns will represent Northern Ireland this summer in the Britain in Bloom finals.

Carrickfergus in Bloom is asking the Borough’s young horticultural enthusiasts to join the thousands of young gardener’s throughout the UK in a mass-planting of sunflower seeds during National Gardening Week (14-21 April) to celebrate 50 golden years of Europe’s largest community gardening campaign – RHS Britain in Bloom.

A Council spokesperson said "Carrickfergus Borough Council is distributing the sunflower seeds to Carrickfergus Borough primary and secondary school children as part of the Carrickfergus in Bloom Tallest Sunflower Competition.”

“What better way to celebrate this huge anniversary for Britain in Bloom than a mass planting of beautiful golden sunflowers. These gorgeous and uplifting plants have been known to grow an astonishing four metres high, which reflects the sort of spirit and drive we associate with our local young people and other volunteers who transform our Borough each year.”

“We’re providing the seeds as a big ‘thank you’ to all the industrious and passionate young people who work to ensure that our Borough stays clean, green and beautiful. It is also a chance to do something big for the environment – sunflowers provide vital food for pollinators this summer.”
“The Carrickfergus in Bloom Children's Community Competitions has a total prize fund of £350. Other competitions include Poetry & Painting; entries for these competitions must be received by 30th September.”

"Everybody who lives within the Borough of Carrickfergus is invited to take part in Carrickfergus in Bloom as there is something for everyone. By entering you not only brighten up your own house but you also aid our Borough's entry to the Ulster & Britain in Bloom competition. The winners and runner-up of all Carrickfergus in Bloom competitions will be invited to a prize-giving ceremony at the Town Hall in October to receive their certificates and prizes. In 2013, 1850 people took part in the Carrickfergus in Bloom community competitions.”