A small town in Northern Ireland has been crowned Britain in Bloom’s 2016 Champion of Champions. Ahoghill in County Antrim was one of only six areas from across the UK chosen to compete in the category.
Britain In Bloom
Another competitor in Northern Ireland, Castlecaulfield in Ulster, was a joint winner of the Best Village award with Elswick, Tyne and Wear. Coleraine, also in Ulster, won best Large Town. Best Small Town was Freckleton, Lancashire, and Haddington in East Lothian took the Best Town award. Harrogate in Yorkshire scooped the title of best Small City; Kippax, West Yorkshire, was best urban community, and Aberdeen in Scotland was named Best City.
The RHS introduced a new award this year for overcoming adversity, recognising towns which had had to recreate green spaces after major setbacks. Six awards were made to towns across the country, among them Kendal in Cumbria and Upton on Severn, Worcestershire, both badly flooded last summer.
Britain in Bloom's 2016 Champion
The RHS Britain in Bloom Awards celebrate the huge contribution made by the 300,000 volunteers whose hard work and dedication help transform often grey and unloved areas into greener, cleaner and more beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy. Each finalist is assessed against three key criteria: community participation, environmental responsibility and horticultural achievement.