Ahoghill has been awarded the ultimate prize in community gardening. It's been named the Royal Horticultural Society 2016 Britain in Bloom 'Champion of Champions'.
The County Antrim town was given the accolade at the RHS’ 2016 Britain in Bloom Awards Ceremony hosted by TV Gardening Expert Chris Beardshaw. Ahoghill was also awarded a Gold medal for their entry.
Ahoghill was one of only six areas from across the UK chosen to compete in the coveted Champion of Champions category of the awards and its success confirms its position as arguably the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful small town in the United Kingdom.
Over the summer, teams of RHS judges travelled the length and breadth of the country to see the 72 finalists’ Bloom campaigns to determine who would lift the top prizes. Each finalist was assessed against three key criteria: community participation, environmental responsibility and of course, horticultural achievement.
The 72 Britain in Bloom finalists were vying for Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze medals, category winner awards and discretionary awards for achieving excellence in particular fields.
Q Radio's Roger Donnelly has been getting local councillor, Alderman Stewart McDonald's reaction to Ahoghill's big win:
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