Ahoghill celebrated with special award at Ulster in Bloom 2025

Ahoghill in Bloom volunteer John Wilson, with the team’s special award

Community pride shines as Ahoghill earns Community Resilience Award and Small Town runner-up honour at prestigious horticultural event

Ahoghill’s community volunteers are celebrating after being recognised with a special accolade at the 2025 Ulster in Bloom Awards, held at Grand Central Station in Belfast.

The village received the Community Resilience Award, highlighting the remarkable spirit and teamwork of residents who have come together to enhance their local environment for the benefit of all.

The Ulster in Bloom competition, organised by Translink and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), showcases the dedication of volunteers and council staff across Northern Ireland’s towns, villages, and cities in cultivating vibrant, environmentally friendly spaces.

Ahoghill was also named runner-up in the Small Town category, with Cullybackey taking runner-up position in the Large Village category.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, praised the achievements of the local volunteers, saying:

“I’m delighted to see Ahoghill’s efforts recognised, not just within our Borough, but province-wide.

It is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our community volunteers.

“Congratulations to the winners, runners-up, and all those who make entries possible and do so much for the betterment of our Borough.”

The recognition follows Ahoghill’s impressive showing at the recent MEA in Bloom Awards, hosted by the Mayor at Larne Market Yard.

Among the winners at the borough-level event was John Small, named Volunteer of the Year.

A founding member of Ahoghill in Bloom, he has devoted many years to the project, frequently seen cutting grass, watering hanging baskets, and organising fundraising initiatives.

Another dedicated volunteer, John Wilson, whose horticultural knowledge is highly valued by the team, was runner-up for the Best Front Garden award. Wilson also represented the group at the Ulster in Bloom ceremony, collecting the Community Resilience Award on behalf of the team.

The Ahoghill in Bloom team, led by Wallace Elder, said they were delighted by the recognition, which reflects countless hours of voluntary effort in making the village a welcoming and colourful place for residents and visitors alike.