Silver Gilt award given welcome

The Silver Gilt Award is part of the prestigious ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition, which takes part annually throughout the UK.

Communities of all sizes take part, from villages to large cities, in an attempt to improve their local environments and promote community participation through horticulture.

She said, “I was delighted to hear that Hillsborough has been bestowed this honour and I congratulate all those in the community who have worked tirelessly together to make this possible.”

Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom UK Judging Panel, Rodger Burnett, led a team of 14 volunteer judges who toured the UK. He said “We had the privilege and pleasure of visiting the most environmentally- aware communities in Britain and meeting the wonderful people responsible for them.”

Mrs Hale added, “This award highlights the importance the environment and rural attractions play within the local community and shows that we all need to ensure that more is done to protect our environment into the future.

“This is one of the main reasons why I have continually lobbied the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Regional Development to ensure that greater protection is given to Hillsborough Village from the large amount of HGV lorries and additional traffic which come through the village on a daily basis.”

A debate has been scheduled within the Northern Ireland Assembly for the 23rd October 2012 to discuss potential actions to help end the traffic problems facing villagers each day. The award was presented to Hillsborough by Matt Baker from the BBC TV’s ‘The One Show.’