Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.
ENVIRONMENT Minister Mark H Durkan today presented awards to the North’s ‘Best Kept’ City, Towns, Villages and Housing areas.
Derry was awarded the title of the North’s ‘Best Kept City’ during the ceremony held in the Guildhall.
This category was newly introduced in 2015, along with an award for ‘Community Achiever of the year’.
The overall award was presented to the picturesque village of Scarva who will go on to compete in the final of the All-Ireland Tidy Towns competition.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mark H Durkan said: “I am delighted to see that Derry is the first winner of the ‘Best Kept City’ award.
“I would like to commend all within the city who helped to achieve such a coveted accolade.
“Full credit should be given to the Council and all the local volunteers who worked hard to bring out the best in the city’s environment.”
Minister Durkan added: “In the North we are blessed with a beautiful natural and built environment.
“It is one of our greatest assets and we all share the responsibility for protecting and improving it, for current and future generations. These awards are a great way to recognise the contribution of many who give up their own time and efforts to showcase and enhance their local environment.
“The communities who participated in these awards are taking pride in their surroundings, making them a more attractive place for people to live, for tourists to visit and for people to do business. I commend all who took part and warmly congratulate each of the winners.”
