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Best kept awards to reach 13,000 entries

Thursday, 4 February 2010

Attending the launch of the 2010 SuperValu Best Kept Awards are L-R SuperValu Customer Manager Conor McCann, David McKee from Armagh City and District Council and Chairman of NI Amenity Council Charlie Smyth. SG0501

THE organisers of the SuperValu Best Kept Awards have launched this year's awards with a call for five hundred entries from across Northern Ireland, which will bring the total number of competitors since the start of the scheme to 13,000.
Towns, villages, schools and health and social care facilities in County Armagh are being urged to take on the Best Kept Award challenge in 2010.
The prestigious awards scheme that acknowledges towns, housing areas, healthcare facilities and schools for their commitment to the natural and built environment has had 12,500 entries over the past 50 years. Town and village awards have been in place since the scheme was established in 1957, Housing Area awards were introduced in 1975, the schools category was launched in 1991 and the Healthcare Facility Awards in 1995.
The Best Kept Awards are organised annually by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and sponsored by retail group SuperValu and its independent retail partners across Northern Ireland. Last year Loughgall won the overall Best Kept Town Award and Richhill came runner up in the Large Village category, while Appleby SEC in Armagh won a Health and Social Care Facility Award.
Doreen Muskett MBE, President of NIAC, said: "For over 50 years the Best Kept Awards have encouraged local communities to make the most of their outdoor spaces, to protect our diverse natural environment and make Northern Ireland an even better place to live and work.
“This year we hope to have an even higher level of participation and to reach our target of 13,000 entries. We'd like to hear from towns, villages, housing areas, healthcare facilities and schools that have entered in the past, but we'd also like to see some new entrants taking up the Best Kept challenge for the first time."
NIAC uses the SuperValu Best Kept Awards to reward community projects that tackle environmental issues and promote recycling and wildlife conservation. Entrants are judged on a range of criteria, including the absence of litter, fly-posting and graffiti, as well as evidence of community participation in local initiatives.
Green-fingered public floral displays and wildlife planting schemes both feature prominently among winning entries.
SuperValu Best Kept Awards patron Joe Mahon, presenter of UTV's Lesser Spotted Ulster programme, added: "On my travels around Northern Ireland I see the most amazing landscapes and townscapes and it is clear to me how essential it is to protect this part of our heritage. The Best Kept Awards are so important because they acknowledge people, organisations and public bodies that help preserve not only the natural environment, but also the streets, buildings and facilities we all use. I would urge as many entrants as possible to come forward and tell us about their environmental projects, so we can recognise the best ones and share in their pride of place."
SuperValu has supported the Best Kept Awards since 2004 with a sponsorship package that includes financial and practical help. The retailer funds marketing activities to maximise participation and also provides the prize fund for winners.
SuperValu Marketing Manager, Briege McGinty said; "SuperValu retailers are proud to support the Best Kept Awards, because as local business people they have an interest in the communities around their stores. They can see the immense benefits to the environment, the local community and economy of having well cared-for buildings, public spaces and wild areas. Stores will be going all out to promote the awards over the coming months to help reach the milestone of 13,000 entries in 2010."
The closing date for the SuperValu Best Kept Town, Village and Housing Area Awards is April 23. Healthcare Facility Awards close on May 28 and the Schools category is open until March 5. Entry forms are available from NIAC on 9040 3681 or visit www.niacbestkept.com for more information.

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