Blooming great... Derry picks up top awards for its 'well maintained' open spaces and 'beautiful' floral presentations

Derry city has picked up two top horticulture prizes and was given a special recognition award at the 2016 Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition. The former City of Culture was placed first in the City Category of the competition, having impressed judges with its “well maintained” open spaces and “beautiful” plant and floral presentations throughout the city. Speaking after the results were announced, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock said, ‘Our plant and floral presentations, grass cutting and cleansing regimes are important in presenting the city and district as a welcoming place to visitors and they help communities develop a sense of civic pride. ‘On behalf of Council I’d like to thank the Grounds Maintenance and Street Cleansing Teams at Derry City and Strabane District Council for their hard work’ especially with the beautiful floral displays this year which were a delight to behold throughout the Summer.’

The city also claimed the ‘Best Station’ title, which went to Foyle Street Bus Station and judges gave a special award to ‘Derry City’s Garden of Reflection’ for its outstanding plant and floral presentations. The annual horticultural competition encourages cities, towns and villages right across Northern Ireland to look their best, boosting civic pride through beautiful plant and floral displays. Now in its 38th year, all 11 local councils participated in the 2016 competition which attracted 156 entries.

Derry will now take part in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom competition taking place on 14 October 2016. Photo shows Danny McCartney (second from right), Derry City and Strabane District Council with Sam Todd, Translink, Alderman Freda Donnelly, vice-president, NI Local Government Association, and Frank Hewitt, Translink chairman