Ulster in Bloom Award
Ulster in Bloom Result 2017
Three awards for Groomsport in 2017!
The Runner - up spot for Groomsport again in the prestigious Ulster in Bloom competition . What a magnificent achievement ! A podium finish two years in a row.
Groomsport village achieved great success this year with our entry for Ulster In Bloom - large village section. This is a large group of 23 villages throughout Northern Ireland (including Hillsborough and Saintfield), so competition is tight and the standard is particularly high.
Groomsport achieved a magnificent 2nd place !
This is a terrific result for the whole village and all the residents are very proud indeed. Everyone in the village has made a valuable contribution - some by watering the herb garden, some by planting in their own garden, others by weeding and brushing the main street area... The list goes on. The village has been visually stunning all summer.
Roy Mawhinney, Peter Gibson, Mereb Opie, Miriam Gibson and their team, deserve particular mention for their drive and enthusiasm. We have them to thank for the herb tub and shore rockery, amongst other things. Everyone in the village played their part and you can see the pictures here. A number of beautiful pedestal style free standing baskets have been placed around the Village to great effect. They were planted with a selection of flowering plants including dahlias by the AND gardeners. Tended by the GVA team and other villagers they have been beautiful all summer.
Cove Bay achieved a Special Award in Ulster in Bloom
Cove Bay also got an additional award because the judges were "particularly impressed" by the floral display in that part of the village.
2017 Northern Ireland Amenity Awards
The Amenity Awards for Northern Ireland were awarded in early October 2017. Again, Groomsport village was a finalist. Ahoghill and Cullybackey gained 1st and 2nd place with Groomsport gaining the coveted, "Most Improved Area" award. Groomsport is the only place within the Ards and North Down area to have gained any award this year so we are naturally very proud.
Seaside Award 2017
Again, Groomsport was a winner in the "Rural Beach" category of the "Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful" awards.
This is, also, a difficult award to achieve because it is judged by a national jury and must be renewed every year. There are 4 assessment sections - water quality, environmental education, environmental management and safety. In all, the beaches had to satisfy 15 criteria.
Groomsport passed with flying colours.