Ahoghill volunteer among 19 honoured at Mid and East Antrim in Bloom Awards
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon presents Ahoghill community volunteer Wallace Elder with his award.
Tuesday 3 November 2026
An Ahoghill volunteer has been recognised for his contribution to making Mid and East Antrim a greener and more welcoming place, as 19 individuals, schools and community groups were celebrated at this year’s Mid & East Antrim in Bloom Community Awards.
Wallace Elder was named Volunteer of the Year at a special ceremony in Larne Market Yard, hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon.
The awards recognised residents of all ages whose gardening, planting and environmental projects have helped brighten neighbourhoods, support wildlife and strengthen community pride across the borough.
Celebrating local gardening achievements
Among the winners were Rob Harrison and Marvin Miles from Islandmagee, who received the Best Kept Front Garden award, while Chris Hamill from Whitehead won Best Kept Front Container Garden.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, pictured with the winners and runners up of the Mid & East Antrim In Bloom 2026 competition.
Alan Rice, from Larne Town Park Allotments, took the Best Kept Allotment Garden title, while Charles Shiels Community in Carrickfergus was recognised in the Gardening for Wildlife category.
Silverstream Primary School in Greenisland won Best School Gardening Project, highlighting the contribution of younger generations to gardening and environmental awareness.
The Best Community Planting Scheme award went to Windsor Residents Association in Whitehead, recognising the collective efforts of residents to improve their local surroundings.
Young gardeners and creative projects recognised
Young gardeners from Larne and Magheramorne also made their mark by growing the tallest sunflowers in the borough, with the winning entry reaching more than four metres in height.
Alongside Wallace Elder's Volunteer of the Year award, Daisy and Jack Robinson from Larne were named Young Volunteers of the Year.
Jenny Hawthorne from Carrickfergus received the Outstanding Contribution to In Bloom award, recognising her involvement in the initiative.
Creativity was also celebrated, with Louisa Dunlop from Larne winning the Blooming Creative award for her beach sculpture, entitled ‘Mermaid’s Tail’.
Mayor praises community dedication
Mayor Alderman Thomas Gordon congratulated the winners and runners-up, highlighting the wider benefits of gardening and environmental projects for local communities.
He said:
“Our ‘In Bloom Community Awards’ are a wonderful way to celebrate the people who make Mid and East Antrim flourish - from the keen gardeners and volunteers to the local schools and businesses.
“Their hard work not only brightens up our streets and neighbourhoods but also enhances wellbeing, encourages biodiversity, and brings our communities closer together.
“I want to thank everyone who took part this year and congratulate our winners and runners-up. Your commitment helps make our Borough one of the most beautiful in Northern Ireland.”
Growing community pride across the borough
The Mid & East Antrim in Bloom campaign encourages residents, schools and community organisations to take an active role in improving their surroundings, with a focus on biodiversity, sustainability and environmental awareness.
This year's awards demonstrated how contributions ranging from individual gardens and allotments to school projects, wildlife initiatives and community planting schemes can make a difference to the places people call home.
For those recognised at Larne Market Yard, the celebration was an acknowledgement of the time, creativity and voluntary effort that goes into making local neighbourhoods greener, more attractive and welcoming for everyone.
Mid & East Antrim in Bloom Community Awards 2026 – Full Results
Best Kept Front Garden
• Winner: Rob Harrison and Marvin Miles, Islandmagee
• Runner-up: Linda Hooke, Ballycarry
Best Kept Front Container Garden
• Winner: Chris Hamill, Whitehead
• Runner-up: Jo Adams, Carrickfergus
Best Kept Community Planting Scheme
• Winner: Windsor Residents Association, Whitehead
• Runner-up: Brighter Whitehead, Whitehead
Best Kept Allotment Garden
• Winner: Alan Rice, Larne Town Park Allotments
• Runner-up: Alfie Hamilton, Larne Town Park Allotments
Gardening for Wildlife Award
• Winner: Charles Shiels Community, Carrickfergus
• Runner-up: Kerry and Paul Connolly, Straid
Tallest Sunflower Competition
• Winner: Keela Crawford, Larne
• Runner-up: Joel Robinson, Magheramorne
Blooming Creative
• Winner: Louisa Dunlop, Larne
• Runner-up: Fraser Kirkpatrick, Larne
Best School Gardening Project
• Winner: Silverstream Primary School, Greenisland
• Runner-up: St Mary’s Primary School, Portglenone
Volunteer of the Year
• Winner: Wallace Elder, Ahoghill
Young Volunteer of the Year
• Winners: Daisy and Jack Robinson, Larne
Outstanding Contribution to In Bloom
• Winner: Jenny Hawthorne, Carrickfergus
