Blooming success: Residents, schools and businesses celebrated for greening Mid and East Antrim!

Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Community Awards Winners and Runners-Up

Mid and East Antrim’s green-fingered residents, schools, and community groups have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the Borough’s beauty and biodiversity at this year’s In Bloom Community Awards.

The special awards ceremony, hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, took place at Larne Market Yard and celebrated 19 winners and runners-up for their creativity, dedication, and passion for horticulture.

Mayor Minford praised the community’s collective effort, saying:

“Our In Bloom Community Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate the people who make Mid and East Antrim flourish - from keen gardeners and volunteers to 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.”

He also commended the In Bloom campaign’s ongoing success in promoting sustainability, environmental awareness, and community pride across the area.

This year’s Best Kept Front Garden award went to Alison McCullagh from Gracehill, while Lynda Hill from Larne won Best Kept Front Container Garden. Sharon Thoburn from Eden Allotments took home the Best Kept Allotment Garden award, and Sasha McVey from Glenarm was named Gardening for Wildlife winner.

In the community categories, The Green Fingers Gardening Group in Portglenone won Best Community Planting Scheme, and Ballycairn House in Ballygally received the Best Commercial Premises award.

Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena was honoured with the Best School Gardening Project title, while young gardeners from Ahoghill and Larne were recognised for growing the tallest sunflowers in the Borough. Class LSC2 from Dunclug College’s specialist provision also impressed judges, winning the Blooming Creative award.

John Small from Ahoghill was named Volunteer of the Year, and Jimmy McKay from Magheramorne received special recognition for his Outstanding Contribution to In Bloom.

The In Bloom Community Awards highlight how grassroots enthusiasm for gardening and environmental care continues to strengthen civic pride and wellbeing throughout Mid and East Antrim.

Award Winners & Runners-Up

Winner of Best Kept Front Garden - Alison McCullagh with daughter Katie (Gracehill)

Runner Up of Best Kept Front Garden – John Wilson, (Ahoghill)

Winner of Best Kept Front Container Garden – Lynda Hill (Larne)

Runner Up of Best Kept Front Container Garden – Emma Robinson (Carrickfergus)

Best Kept Community Planting Scheme Winner –

‘Green Fingers’ Gardening Group (Gortgole Fold, Portglenone)

Runner Up of Best Kept Community Planting Scheme – Scarlett's Reflection Garden (Larne)

(NO PHOTO AVAILABLE) Best Kept Allotment Garden Winner –Sharon Thoburn (Eden Allotment Gardens)

Runner Up of Best Kept Allotment Garden – Alfie Hamilton (Larne)

Winner of Best Kept Commercial Premises – Ballycairn House (Ballygally)

Winner of Gardening for Wildlife – Sasha McVey (Glenarm)

Runner Up of Gardening for Wildlife – Carmen Coggins (Ballymena)

NO PHOTO AVAILABLE. Tallest Sunflower Competition Winners, Mya and Rebecca (Ahoghill)

Runner Up of Tallest Sunflower – Jacob and Oliver Dickson, represented by mum Jacqui (Larne)

Winner of Blooming Creative – Class LSC 2, Dunclug College specialist provision (Ballymena)

Runner Up of Blooming Creative – Isla Kirkpatrick (Larne)

Winner of Best School Gardening Project – Cambridge House Grammar School (Ballymena)

Runner Up of Best School Gardening Project – Silverstream Primary School (Greenisland)

Volunteer of the Year Winner – John Small (Ahoghill)

Outstanding Contribution to In Bloom Winner – Jimmy McKay (Magheramorne)