Press Release: Ready, Steady...Garden For Ulster In Bloom
Ready, Steady…Garden For Ulster In Bloom
21st June 2006
Budding Diarmuid Gavins and Charlie Dimmocks from across Northern Ireland have their gardening trowels at the ready following the launch of Translink’s Ulster in Bloom competition today (21st June) at Cultra Manor.
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, also known as Hayley McDonald, from Bangor, is pictured seeing how her garden grows in time for the 28th Translink Ulster in Bloom competition, which was launched today at Cultra Manor (21 June). Organised by Translink with the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), and supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, over 130 entries from cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland will be judged throughout the ‘blooming’ summer months.
Conspiring with local mayors, councillors and community representatives to create magnificent horticultural feats for their local towns and cities, over 134 gardening groups are bidding to win one of the eleven categories of Ulster’s longest-standing gardening competition, now in its 28th year.
Organised this year by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) and supported by Translink and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), the competition will be judged over the coming months by a panel of ten horticultural professionals and gardening experts, who will tour the province, assessing the quality, condition and overall aesthetic appeal of the planted floral displays.
Confident that this year’s Ulster in Bloom challenge will produce a stunning array of floral displays around the country, Translink Chairman, Veronica Palmer OBE, said at the launch,
“Ulster in Bloom is not just about gardening but encouraging local communities to join forces, adopt some civic pride and take ownership of their local towns, adding colour and vibrancy to transform their landscapes. This in turn helps promote a positive image of Northern Ireland not just for the benefit of local residents and commuters but for tourists too.
“Translink is delighted to provide ongoing support for this wonderful event and remains committed to our local communities and environment as we continue to grow the value and contribution Ulster in Bloom makes to Ulster each year.
“I realise a lot of hard work and community commitment goes into making Ulster in Bloom the success that it is today and commend everyone taking part for their enthusiasm and dedication to making NI look its very best.
“The ‘community rail halt category’ introduced two years ago, encouraging local residents and community associations to adopt a station and transform it for Ulster in Bloom has been a great success with many local stations receiving significant improvements to their outlook and in turn adding to the overall journey experience. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this category so far and encourage more local communities to get together and get involved for a very worthwhile local cause.”
Cllr Peter Weir, NIGLA President, added,
“The 134 entries in this year’s competition are testament to Ulster in Bloom’s year on year popularity, which I am confident will continue to grow with many more community associations deciding to take part. NILGA is delighted to be involved in the organising of this year’s event and wish all contenders the very best of luck and warmest of weather to produce their winning entries. We are also most grateful to Translink for continuing their support of the competition and look forward to working alongside them in the coming months.”
John Mooney, NITB said,
“Who would have thought in 1979 when NITB first organised Ulster in Bloom that the competition would become the prominent, prestigious event that it is today? The competition has blossomed from an entry of 12 back then to a tremendous 134 this year and, over the years, the results have been seen to add colour and texture to the often grey canvas of our built environment. We congratulate everyone involved for their sterling efforts and colourful results. The blooms and blossoms, the arrangements created on roadsides, hanging from street lamps, spilling from all shapes and sizes of container have gone a long way towards reinforcing the positive image that NITB and the people of Northern Ireland endeavour to achieve.”
Ends.
For further information, please contact Sara Thompson or Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications, tel: 028 90393837 or email: s.thompson@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to the Editor:
- Awards will be made in seven categories, City, Large Town, Town, Small Town, large Village, Small Village and Most improved. The Crystal Award is given to the District Council which, in the judges opinion has made the best contribution to Translink Ulster in Bloom in the given year and the Roses in Town Trophy is presented by Belfast City Council to the City, Town or Village, (other than Belfast), which made the best use of roses. A number of special awards are also made each year and there is also a floral station award for the best Translink bus and rail station and an award for the best Community Rail Halt.
- As well as selecting the winners in each category, they also pick the top four places which will best represent Northern Ireland in the 2006 Britain in Bloom competition.
- Judging will take place during July and August and the results will be known in early September.
- Translink announced its Corporate Plan to key stakeholder groups, politicians and public representatives on Monday 19th June. The organisation presented an annual review of 2005/2006 as well as outlined its future plans to deliver a public network for the future.
- Annual highlights included the introduction of all 23 of the new C3K trains to passenger service, achieving a subsequent growth in passengers carried (16% growth on the Bangor to Portadown corridor, in particular); 10% year-on-year passenger growth on the one-year-old Greater Belfast Metro Service; 20% growth on the enhanced Goldline services; and the arrival of the first of 25 state of the art double-decker Goldline coaches.
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