Britain in Bloom Comes to Balmoral
May 12, 2017
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has created three floral displays at its stand in the Healthy Horticulture section of this year’s Balmoral Show. It is showcasing its ‘green fingered’ talent that will be judged at upcoming Britain in Bloom and Ulster in Bloom competitions.
Hillsborough will be judged as part of this year’s Britain in Bloom while the full Council area will be part of the Ulster in Bloom competition that will be launched next month. Ulster in Bloom is a partnership between Translink, the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) and involves all eleven councils.
Councillor James Baird, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee said: “The Tractor is planted with various colours of ‘Alternanthera’, a robust annual foliage plant, and has been getting lots of attention at the Show this year with many visitors taking pictures beside it. In recent years Hillsborough has won several floral awards across a number of competitions including Britain in Bloom, Ulster in Bloom and Supervalu Best Kept Awards. This year Hillsborough will be part of the ‘Champion of Champions’ category at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards; and the Council is keen to raise awareness of this through flowers at one of the largest shows in the Council area, the Balmoral Show.”
Hillsborough won Gold in the the Large Village category at last year’s Britain in Bloom Awards.
The Mayor Councillor Brian Bloomfield MBE, added: “Like my colleague Councillor Baird I was very pleased to see the talent of the Council’s Parks Team on display to tens of thousands of people at Balmoral Show. The attention to detail in the displays is amazing and visually demonstrates partnership working.”
During the judging for Britain in Bloom Hillsborough will be assessed under three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility, demonstrated across public spaces such as town or city centres, parks and communal gardens, as well as natural spaces including conservation areas and wildflower meadows.
The Translink Ulster in Bloom competition is organised by NILGA. Councillor Sean McPeake, NILGA President, said: “NILGA represents, promotes, sustains and improves local government on behalf of councils. The Association is committed to adding value to the local government sector through initiatives like Translink Ulster in Bloom. The competition helps us to focus on improving the quality of life for citizens, creating a better environment for everyone to enjoy.
“On behalf of NILGA I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support and partnership of Translink as competition sponsors. Today, I would also like to recognise the support and commitment from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council who have created a wonderful bedding display at this year’s Balmoral Show to celebrate the Translink Ulster in Bloom competition.”