Town a winner in Best Kept Awards

The town was selected as the runner up for the title of Best Kept Large Town in Northern Ireland as the Northern Ireland Amenity Council and SuperValu announced the province’s Best Kept Towns, Villages and Housing Areas. Established in the 1950’s, the awards have commended thousands of towns, villages, housing areas, schools and healthcare facilities on their work to improve and preserve the environment over the past six decades. Frank McPolin, owner of SuperValu Banbridge was at the awards and said; “As a local SuperValu store we are proud to support the Best Kept Awards and we would like to congratulate Banbridge and all of the winners this year. “Our store is at the heart of the local community and as an active participant in the life of the town we are keen to support the awards, to help improve and preserve the natural and built environment for everyone.” Doreen Muskett MBE, President of NIAC said the local town was a deserving winner; “It is obvious that the community in Banbridge has a great deal of civic pride. It is also clear that local people work together to achieve these great results and this community co-operation is indicative of a Best Kept Award winner.” Ms Muskett continued; “The SuperValu Best Kept Awards were established almost sixty years ago, to encourage communities to enhance their surroundings, to protect our diverse wildlife and plant life and make Northern Ireland a great place to be. We would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners for demonstrating a real dedication to the environment.” Winning towns and villages were presented with a personalised sign, a park bench made from recycled materials and a monetary donation towards their environmental endeavours. Winners of the Best Kept Housing Area Awards received a Best Kept sign. The SuperValu Best Kept Awards acknowledge community projects that tackle environmental issues and encourage planting schemes, recycling and wildlife conservation. Entrants are also judged on the absence of litter, fly-posting and graffiti.