DERRY City and Strabane District Council’s Ground Maintenance and Street Cleansing teams continued Derry’s reputation as the best kept city in the North of Ireland when they retained their ‘City’ category title at the 40th annual Translink Ulster in Bloom awards this week.
A special results ceremony took place in the stunning surroundings of Ballyscullion Park – Magherafelt this week for the awards which aim to encourage cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland to look their best, boosting civic pride through beautiful plant and floral displays.
The 2018 edition of the awards attracted 121 entries from all 11 local council areas.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle, congratulated everyone involved in helping Derry retain its City title for yet another year.
“I would like to congratulate the Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleansing teams on this prestigious title which is just recognition for their dedicated work in presenting our City and District in the best possible light all year round.
“The floral displays and plants around the Council area have looked sensational this year, providing a bright and welcoming backdrop for visitors and adding to local people’s sense of civic pride.
“Council’s plant and floral presentations, grass cutting and cleansing regimes are a key element to the physical and environmental regeneration of our region.”
This is the 20th year of Translink’s sponsorship of the competition and, speaking at the results announcement ceremony, Translink Chairman Frank Hewitt, said:
“This milestone year of Translink Ulster in Bloom has produced many exquisite entries and I’d like to congratulate all the 2018 winners and runners-up.
“It’s been another highly competitive competition and we continue to see a trend for new locations hitting the top spots.
“Our thanks to all the local councils, businesses, community groups and Translink employees who work hard to make Northern Ireland a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
“It’s also fitting that the Translink Ulster in Bloom results are announced during Good Relations Week with the competition focussed on connecting people, team-work and building better communities.
“Like Ulster in Bloom, Trainslink remains committed to building a more sustainable society and we’ve been busy transforming public transport to support the growth and prosperity of villages, towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
“Last year, we delivered 81million passenger journeys – the highest number in the past 20 years – and we continue to work collaboratively with local councils, businesses and community groups to deliver further growth and make public transport your first choice for travel in Northern Ireland.”
The 2018 Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition category winners are: City – Derry City (Derry City & Strabane DC), Large Town – Lisburn (Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council), Town –Antrim (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council), Small Town – Randalstown (Antrim and Newtownabbey BC), Large Village – Cullybackey (Mid & East Antrim BC), Village – Donaghmore (Mid Ulster District Council) and Small Village – Charlestown Village (Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon BC).
The Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland local Government Association (NILGA).
For more information click www.translink.co.uk/ulsterinbloom/ or follow @Translink_NI #ulsterinbloom
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