The gardening talents of Clanmil customers of all ages were celebrated at the recent Clanmil ln Bloom awards at Navigation House, Lisburn.

Clanmil in Bloom is an annual competition that aims to acknowledge and reward Clanmil customers who take a keen interest in keeping the green spaces around their homes looking the very best they can.  It also gives customers with green fingers and a passion for gardening a chance to showcase their handiwork.

Over 50 Clanmil customers joined together to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea supplied by Stepping Stones NI. Winners and runners-up were then presented with their awards. John Ross of sponsors Greentown Environmental who provide gardening maintenance services for Clanmil homes delivered a short talk, which was followed by a gardening workshop with tips and tricks of how to take care of your plants, led by Fiona Robertson, Horticulture and wellbeing Lead at Navigation House.

Emmett Mullally, Director of Social Enterprise and Operations at Stepping Stones NI talked to guests about the services the charity provide, including training and employment for vulnerable adults.

Jennifer Cuthbert, Community Investment Manager at Clanmil said:

“Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Clanmil in Bloom at the wonderful grounds of Navigation House, Lisburn with service from Stepping Stones NI. We were delighted to welcome so many of our customers both young and old to share our celebration event. Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you for your efforts in helping to make your home a vibrant and inviting place to live.”

This year’s awards were presented by Clanmil Chief Executive, Carol McTaggart, Clanmil Vice Chair, Maria McCann, Group Director of Assets, Tony Giffen, Assistant Director of Customer and Communities, Brendan Morrissey, member of the Board of Clanmil, Paddie Cassidy and John Ross, Managing Director of Greentown, who kindly sponsored the Clanmil in Bloom event.

The full list of winners and runners up from Clanmil In Bloom 2024 is as follows:

Best pot 

Winner: Maria Mc Conville, Cedar Court, Newtownabbey

Runner up: Mrs Avril Averil, Giboney Court Cookstown

Best basket 

Winner: Sam Preshur, Hughes Court, Belfast

Runner up: Sylvia Allen, Stronge Court Portadown

Best Grow Your Own 

Winner: Margaret Miller Slemish Court Ballymena

Runner up: Anne Mark Slemish Court Ballymena

Best Individual Garden 

Winner: Danielle Devlin, Ardnaskea Drive Coalisland

Runner up: Irene Carey, Allen Court Antrim

Best Young Grower Under 12 

Winner: Chaudrey Children (AbuSaeed age 7 and AbuDawud age 5, Linen Gardens, Belfast

Runner up: Jones Children ( Casey-Ray, Simon and Sarah) Stronge Court

Best Environmental 

Cedar Court, Newtownabbey

Best Independent Living scheme 

Winner: Hughes Court, Belfast

Runner up: Gloonan Court Ahoghill, Co.Antrim

Credit: https://ow.ly/Ehe850PARgU