More than 11,000 packets of sunflower seeds have been distributed to children across the Borough to encourage them to test their ‘green fingers’ and enter the Ards and North Down In Bloom Tallest Sunflower competition!

Open to those aged 16 or under, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s competition offers a chance to win gift vouchers while helping to make our Borough an even more beautiful place to live.

Running as part of the Council’s ‘In Bloom’ initiative, the Tallest Sunflower contest is running alongside several other In Bloom competitions that are open to those under the age of 16 including Best School Gardening Project, a painting competition and the Young Volunteer of the Year.

There are also competitions for the more experienced green fingers out there including Best Kept Front Garden, Gardening for Wildlife Award, Volunteer of the Year, Best Kept Commercial Premises and Best Kept Community Planting Scheme.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:

 “This initiative helps to boost civic pride through beautiful plant and floral displays, and the Tallest Sunflower element helps to capture children’s imagination while encouraging them to think about their local environment. The sunflowers seeds that have been distributed are a giant variety so I’m looking forward to seeing sunflowers that are much taller than our budding gardeners!”

By supporting the Tallest Sunflower category, it offers children and young teenagers the opportunity to get involved in growing, in many cases for the first time. Other categories encourage residents and businesses to get involved, helping to make gardens and business premises more attractive which bolsters the Borough’s entry into the annual Translink Ulster in Bloom competition.

Applications are welcome from all residents and entry is free. For more information, visit ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/inbloom or email andparks@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.