Groups clean up at Beautiful awards

Groups clean up at Beautiful awards

20 February 2019

LOCAL organisations and individuals have toasted success at the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Community Awards.

Last week’s event in Belfast City Hall was designed to recognise all the volunteers who had been shortlisted for their hard work and dedication to making the environment cleaner, greener, safer and more sustainable.

Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership received the Spirit of Live Here Love Here Award, presented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Their Coastal Guardian Volunteer group is made up of walkers, water sports enthusiasts, members of the local community and others who are passionate about their area.

By carrying out clean-ups they tackle the marine litter along the coastline in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and focus on places that are difficult to reach.

Last year, for example, volunteers tackled the large quantity of accumulated litter in Ardglass harbour, funded by a Live Here Love Here small grant.

Since 2017, the Coastal Guardian volunteer group has helped to clean-up approximately three miles of coastline and remove approximately three tonnes of litter from the shores.

The Adopt a Spot Award was won by the Eco Warriors of Shimna Integrated College in Newcastle.

They have worked to develop good community relationships with their neighbours, particularly the residents of the nearby Glen Fold sheltered housing complex, by cleaning up their school grounds as well as a wooded area in Donard Park.

The Eco Warriors planted raised beds in the school grounds and at Glen Fold; The produce will be used by local residents, the school canteen and for a stall at Mourne Markets.

The Good Neighbour Award, presented by Choice Housing, went to Lawrence Murphy of the Saintfield Development Association.

Mr Murphy has been an inspiration as a community activist and can often be found cutting grass, planting or litter picking early in the morning or late at night. 

George Smyth, from Ardglass Development Association, picked up the Coast Care Award, sponsored by Coca Cola HBC, for his tireless work as a volunteer at marine litter picks in Ardglass.

Besides being a stalwart litter picker, George has also devoted his time to laying out the community garden.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin congratulated the various winners.

He said: “I am delighted that so many of our district’s groups and organisations have been recognised for their commitment to improving our environment and I am proud of their achievements. 

“The work that each group has undertaken is of huge importance. 

Not only does it impact positively on the environment, it also provides an opportunity for people to become involved in improving their local community.”