Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Awards Celebrate Local Gardening Heroes

Residents, schools and community groups from across Mid and East Antrim have been recognised for their gardening, biodiversity and community work at the 2026 In Bloom Community Awards.

The Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Community Awards 2026 have celebrated the people helping to make neighbourhoods across the borough brighter, greener and more welcoming.

A total of 19 individuals, schools and community groups were recognised at a special awards ceremony held at Larne Market Yard.

The event was hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, and recognised achievements in gardening, biodiversity, volunteering and community planting.

Mid and East Antrim In Bloom Community Awards 2026 winners

Among this year’s winners were Rob Harrison and Marvin Miles from Islandmagee, who received the Best Kept Front Garden award.

Chris Hamill from Whitehead won Best Kept Front Container Garden.

Meanwhile, Alan Rice from Larne Town Park Allotments took the award for Best Kept Allotment Garden.

The Gardening for Wildlife category was won by Charles Shiels Community in Carrickfergus.

Schools and communities recognised

Schools and community organisations also featured prominently among this year’s winners.

Silverstream Primary School in Greenisland was named the winner of the Best School Gardening Project.

The Windsor Residents Association in Whitehead received the Best Community Planting Scheme award.

Young gardeners in Larne and Magheramorne also took part in the borough’s sunflower-growing competition.

The tallest sunflower reached more than four metres.

Volunteers recognised for their contribution

Several residents were honoured for their contribution to their local communities and the wider In Bloom campaign.

Wallace Elder from Ahoghill was named Volunteer of the Year.

Daisy and Jack Robinson from Larne were named Young Volunteers of the Year.

Meanwhile, Jenny Hawthorne from Carrickfergus received an award for Outstanding Contribution to In Bloom.

Creativity was also recognised, with Louisa Dunlop from Larne winning the Blooming Creative award for a beach sculpture depicting a Mermaid’s Tail.

Mayor praises Mid and East Antrim’s gardeners and volunteers

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said:

“Our ‘In Bloom Community Awards’ are a wonderful way to celebrate the people who make Mid and East Antrim flourish – from the keen gardeners and volunteers to the local schools and businesses.

“Their hard work not only brightens up our streets and neighbourhoods but also enhances wellbeing, encourages biodiversity, and brings our communities closer together.

“I want to thank everyone who took part this year and congratulate our winners and runners-up. Your commitment helps make our Borough one of the most beautiful in Northern Ireland.”

The Mayor also highlighted the continuing role of the In Bloom campaign in promoting biodiversity, sustainability, environmental awareness and community pride throughout Mid and East Antrim.

Find the full list of In Bloom winners

Residents can view the full list of winners and runners-up and find out more about the Mid and East Antrim In Bloom campaign on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council In Bloom website.

Northern Ireland Online will continue highlighting the residents, schools and community organisations making a positive difference across towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland.

Have a community success story, local event or achievement we should know about? Send it to Northern Ireland Online or add your event or organisation to our website.