Local towns celebrate success in Bloom competition

Local towns celebrate success in Bloom competition

25 September 2013

TWO local towns tasted the sweet smell of success in this year’s Translink Ulster In Bloom competition.

Castlewellan and Saintfield were among the winners announced during a ceremony at Ballydugan Mill in Downpatrick last week.

Saintfield won first place in the most improved town category, while along with Castlewellan, it finished joint third in the best large town category. Carryduff was awarded third place in the small town category.

Down Council chairwoman, Maria McCarthy, said events like Ulster in Bloom provide a great opportunity to showcase the district and congratulated all those who worked tirelessly, ensuring towns and villages are clean and have beautiful floral displays on show.

She added: “I’m absolutely delighted Saintfield was recognised for two awards. This is a very deserved recognition of hard work, dedication and commitment.”

Newcastle area councillor Dessie Patterson, who is chairman of Down Council’s Building and Estates Committee, said he was particularly pleased to see Castlewellan recognised in this year’s awards and paid credit to everyone involved in behind the scenes.

He added: “Floral and planting displays play a huge role in the promoting our rural towns and villages, especially in terms of tourism. They send out a message of welcome and hospitality to visitors.

“I am pleased to see Castlewellan and Saintfield recognised in this way and hope that this sets a precedent for Down District in future years in this competition.”

Translink’s district manager for the Newcastle area, Kay Sharkey, said she was delighted with Castlewellan and Saintfield’s success.

“Beautiful plant and floral presentations play an important role in creating a lasting, positive and welcoming image of Castlewellan, Saintfield and Northern Ireland as a whole, encouraging people to make return visits with friends and family,” she said.

“It is great to see new locations from across Northern Ireland making it into the top three placings. We are also pleased that continued effort is being made to support biodiversity which reflects our own approach to sustainable business; supporting the environment in which we operate.”

Kay added: “Translink congratulates Castlewellan and Saintfield and all the other Ulster in Bloom participants for their hard work and dedication.”