Silver Celebrations for Green Fingered Gardeners!
16 September 2003
Ulster in Bloom is generally a hotly contested competition, but in this, the 25th year of the scheme, the organisers have witnessed an extra flourish from competing towns and villages.
Representatives from winning and commended entries from across Northern Ireland were among the guests at a presentation ceremony held in the Long Gallery at Stormont today (16 September). Translink Chairman Joan Smyth said that the entries had made Northern Ireland’s summer season more attractive than ever for visitors and residents alike.
“The sunshine was beautiful this year – and it even lasted for more than an hour at a time- but the fact that groups of volunteers put time and effort into creating such beautiful floral displays has really made all the difference.
“This is Translink’s 5th year of involvement in Ulster in Bloom, but if you look at the history of the competition, we are only ‘blow-ins’ by comparison! Ulster In Bloom has been ‘gaining ground’ for 25 years now, and I think that all those who have given so freely of their time over those years deserve our gratitude.
“I would like to congratulate all our winners in this special year, especially those towns who made such an effort to commemorate the event by planting medallion beds.”
Tom McGrath OBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said; “I am sure my predecessors back in 1979 had little idea of just how successful this competition would be.
“Nor could they have foreseen over a period of 25 years what the competition would do for morale, civic pride and environmental education, not to mention the wonderful visual improvement of Northern Ireland’s cities, towns and villages. The Tourist Board is very grateful to Translink for their continuing sponsorship and, as ever, is proud to be associated with Ulster in Bloom.”
Stephen Quinn, Permanent Secretary, DRD concluded by welcoming the important contribution Ulster in Bloom makes to the lives of those it touches.
“Ulster in Bloom benefits all communities and age groups and helps to encourage people to visit our shores. I am pleased to see that over these 25 years it has become something of an institution and long may it continue.
The full list of winners is as follows:
CATEGORY PLACINGS
1st 2nd 3rd
City Londonderry Belfast --
Large Town Bangor Ballymena Antrim
Town Dungannon Coleraine Newry City
Small Town Moira Cookstown Richhill
Large Village Broughshane Waringstown Hillsborough &
MoyJointly
Small Village Scarva Loughgall Bryansford &
StranocumJointly
Most Improved Portadown & Ballyronan Joint 1st Place
Crystal Award Magherafelt District Council for outstanding effort and
enthusiastic contribution to Translink ‘Ulster in Bloom’
throughout the council area.
‘Roses in Towns’ Trophy Awarded to Newtownards.
Presented by Belfast city council to the city town or
village (other than Belfast), which uses roses to the best
advantage in public areas.
Special Awards Awarded to the following for outstanding presentation:-
1. The community garden, Hamiltonsbawn
2. Viscount restaurant, Dungannon
3. The Ryandale, Moy
Medallion bed competition – Winner, Ballymena!
(Special Category to celebrate 25th Anniversary of Translink Ulster in Bloom)
* Four Nominations for ‘Britain in Bloom’ – 2003/4
1. Londonderry
2. Dungannon
3. Broughshane
4. Scarva
* Note: Should the Royal Horticultural Society (Custodians of Britain in Bloom) decide to continue with the Coastal Resort Category for 2004, Bangor will be nominated to represent Northern Ireland.
RESULTS OF THE TRANSLINK ULSTER IN BLOOM 2003
Floral Station Category
As Follows:-
1st - Carrickfergus Railway Station
2nd - Lisburn Railway Station
3rd - Derry City Bus Station
OVERALL WINNER: Carrickfergus Railway Station
RUNNER-UP: Lisburn Railway Station
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