Press Release

Best Kept large town accolade for City

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The Mayor, Councillor Helen Quigley has welcomed the fact that Derry has won the Large Town Category in the Northern Ireland Amenity Council Supervalue Best Kept Awards.

Pic caption: Pictured at the SuperValu Best Kept Town and Village Awards 2006 are left to right, SuperValu Brand Manager Jackie McCloskey, Danny McCartney, Grounds Maintenance Manager Derry City Council, Cllr Gerry MacLochlainn, Derry City Council and Doreen Muskett, Chairman of NIAC.

The announcement was made today at the Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart. The city is now eligible to enter into Ireland’s Best Kept Towns Competition in 2007.

The Mayor said she was delighted the city’s efforts at improving its cleanliness and overall environmental appearance have been acknowledged. “This award is great news for the city and comes at a time when the Council and its cleansing and grounds maintenance staff are working tirelessly to enhance the appearance of the city and restore civic pride among local communities.

“The judges, when selecting a winner, look out for the general appearance of approach roads, main roads and public spaces, the tidiness of private gardens and associated frontages, as well as the condition of street fixtures and furniture. The decorative and repair order of private and commercial building premises and the absence of litter, flyposting and graffiti also play an important part in the selection process.”

The Chairman of the Environmental Services Committee, Cllr. Gerry MacLochlainn, who was in Portstewart at the awards ceremony, said he was delighted the city had been awarded such a prestigious accolade.

“The Amenity Council’s Best Kept Awards are designed to acknowledge towns and villages across the North that are working to preserve and improve their local physical environment. It is tremendous news that Derry has been awarded the Large Town Category award and is eligible to participate in Ireland’s Best Kept Towns Competition for 2007.

“I would like to acknowledge the work carried out by everyone associated with working to improve the city’s appearance. I believe it is important to emphasis the importance of everyone having a vested interest in making a real difference to their local environment and I look forward to further success in the future.”

Ends

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Marketing and Communications Section, Derry City Council, Tel. 028 7137 6504 or the Northern Ireland Amenity Council - 028 90 40 3681

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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