Bloomin’ lovely! Best and beautiful announced in MEA ‘In Bloom’ Community Competition
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, has announced the winners and runners-up in the Mid and East Antrim ‘In Bloom’ Community Competition general categories which are Best Kept Front Garden, Best Kept Front Container Garden, Best Kept Community Planting, Best Kept Allotment Garden, Best Kept Commercial Premises, and the Gardening for Wildlife Award.
Ald Williams said:
"Through Councils ‘In Bloom’ campaign we encourage everyone in the Borough to think about their local environment and how flowers, plants and gardens can enhance it for people and wildlife. By actively supporting our ‘In Bloom’ campaign and competitions, residents not only make their garden, school or business more attractive but can boost tourism and the economy in their local areas.
“I have been really impressed with the quality of entrants to the competition this year from all across the Borough. It has been an opportunity for me to see the variety of horticultural talent we have here.
“Well done everyone and please keep up the great work.”
The 2022 Mid and East Antrim ‘In Bloom’ Community Competition winners and runners-up are as follows:
Best Kept Front Garden
Winner: Craig Holmes, Cullybackey
Runner up: Brett Harris, Larne
Runner up: Caroline Harkness, Carrickfergus
Runner up: John Anderson Weir, Gracehill
Runner up: Elizabeth Boyd, Cullybackey
Best Kept Front Container Garden
Winner: Ruth and Jim Wasson, Carrickfergus
Runner up: Jenny Hawthorne, Eden
Runner up: Davina Smylie, Cullybackey
Best Allotment Garden
Winner: Debbie McFall, Larne Allotment Gardens
Runner up: Luba Tarane, Greenisland Allotment Gardens
Runner up: Sharon Thoburn, Eden Allotment Gardens
Best Community Planting Scheme
Winner: Island Community Garden, Islandmagee
Runner up: Charles Sheils Community, Carrickfergus
Runner up: IncrEDIBLE Garden Community Action Project, Larne
Runner up: Brighter Whitehead, Whitehead
Best Commercial Premises
Winner: Steady Eddie, Larne
Runner up: Ballycairn House, Ballygally
Runner up: Hairtopia, Whitehead
Gardening for Wildlife Award
Winner: Nancy McKeown, Greenisland
Runner up: Christine Harper, Carrickfergus
Runner up: Sharon Thoburn, Eden Allotments.
The categories ‘Best Kept Front Garden’, ‘Best Kept Front Container Garden’, ‘Best Kept Commercial Premises’ and the ‘Gardening for Wildlife Award’ 2022 are sponsored by Ben Vista Garden Centre, Ballymena.
Abbi Mc Mullan, Benvista Garden Centre commented:
"We are delighted to be able to sponsor these events in our local community. Helping to encourage all generations to get out and into their gardens, to avail of the many health and mental health benefits.
"Well done to all the winners, and the runner ups on all their hard work. Keep Gardening!”
