posted by Roger Donnelly
Celebrations are taking place in local villages, towns and cities across Northern Ireland following the Translink Ulster in Bloom Award presentations.
This was the 38th year of the annual horticultural competition which celebrates Northern Ireland’s top gardening talent and their beautiful plant and floral displays.
The 2016 Award winners were: City – Derry/Londonderry City, Large Town – Ballymena, Town – Coleraine, Small Town – Ahoghill, Large Village – Cullybackey, Village – Castlecaulfield and Small Village – Charlestown Village.
The ‘Most Improved’ title went to Cullybackey and the ‘Roses in Towns’ award winner was Lisburn. Special Award winners included: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mary Peter’s Track (Belfast City Council) in recognition of efforts to support biodiversity along with Newtownards Memorial Garden, Derry City’s Garden of Reflection and the Old George Bar & Restaurant in Rathfriland for their outstanding plant/floral presentations.