Ahoghill wins special award at Ulster in Bloom

Wednesday 5 November 2025

The dedication of teams of volunteers and council staff across Northern Ireland’s towns, villages, and cities was celebrated at the 2025 awards.

The annual competition, organised by Translink and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), recognises the outstanding gardening achievements and environmental stewardship of local communities across Northern Ireland’s council areas.

Ahoghill was awarded the Community Resilience Award, in recognition of the strength of community spirit in coming together to improve the area for the good of all its residents.

It was also named runner-up in the Small Town category, while Cullybackey was named runner-up in the Large Village category.

Congratulating all those involved, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “I’m delighted to see Ahoghill’s efforts recognised, not just within our Borough, but province-wide.

“It is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our community volunteers.

“Congratulations to the winners, runners-up, and all those who make entries possible and do so much for the betterment of our Borough.”

It comes after plenty of success for the Ahoghill in Bloom team at the recent MEA in Bloom awards, presented by the Mayor at Larne Market Yard.

Among the winners there was Volunteer of the Year John Small, one of the founding members of Ahoghill in Bloom, who has served the team for many years and is regularly seen cutting the grass and watering hanging baskets and planters, while also organising fundraising initiatives.

Another Ahoghill team member, John Wilson – whose horticultural expertise proves invaluable – was the runner-up for the MEA in Bloom award for Best Front Garden.

The team, led by Wallace Elder, are delighted by all the well-deserved recognition for all the work undertaken by all of their volunteers.