Cullybackey has won Gold and Category Winner at the 2022 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), UK finals of the Britain in Bloom awards with the village taking the top prize in the Large Village Category.
The County Antrim village also received a Certificate of Achievement in the Horticultural Excellence Award.
In total 45 groups from across the UK competed in 8 categories with each vying for a gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze medal.
Cullybackey volunteers Elizabeth Boyd and Bertie McNeilly were crowned Community Champions with only 11 volunteers receiving this prestigious accolade.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams said:
“I am delighted that our Cullybackey in Bloom Group have been rightly recognised at this year’s Britain in the Bloom competition.
“It is so encouraging to see the results of their hard work being recognised at a national, as well as a regional, level. A visit to the village of Cullybackey would clearly demonstrate the horticultural skill of positioning the right plant in the right place. However, they also capture and engage the local community whilst embracing climate change and biodiversity.
“I hope other groups in our towns and villages follow this lead of showing the benefits of this special connection to nature and people. It has worked so well for Cullybackey and its residents. Hopefully their success will encourage others to embrace the Britain in Bloom concept and enter next year.”
Britain in Bloom, one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe, is run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and works year-round to create a cleaner and greener Britain through community action.
As well as horticultural improvements, it promotes cleanliness, sustainability, public participation and community ownership. As such the campaign compliments a number of council initiatives and strategies aimed at enhancing the visual appearance and sustainability of the Borough.