More than 100 Clanmil customers and colleagues gathered to celebrate the talents of gardeners of all ages at the annual Clanmil In Bloom awards.

The Greenmount campus of the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Antrim was the setting for this year’s awards ceremony.  

Clanmil in Bloom is an annual competition that celebrates Clanmil customers who take a keen interest in keeping the green spaces around their homes looking the very best they can.  It also gives customers with green fingers and a passion for gardening a chance to showcase their handiwork.  

Carol McTaggart, Group Chief Executive at Clanmil said:  

“This year’s Clanmil in Bloom Awards was an uplifting and inspiring event where we celebrated the talent and creativity of Clanmil customers of all ages - all creating places that just don’t grow flowers and vegetables, but grow connections between neighbours, spark conversations and give us all something to celebrate and to smile about. Well done to everyone who took part and who joined in the celebrations.” 

The Commissioner for Older People, Siobhan Casey was the guest speaker and presented the prize for the Best Independent Living Scheme category. She said: 

“Today has been a joyful celebration of the gardening talents of Clanmil customers and I was honoured to present the prize for Best Independent Living Scheme and meet so many of the participants. Gardening is just one of many activities that support health and wellbeing in later life, and it’s inspiring to see how Clanmil’s Active Ageing programme helps customers stay connected, active and engaged.” 

Guests enjoyed a floristry demonstration by Annemarie Grant from CAFRE followed by a dance performance by the Doogan Youth Dance Group. Music by the Manoush Boys added to the celebratory atmosphere during lunch.  

This year’s awards were presented by Clanmil Chief Executive, Carol McTaggart, the Commissioner for Older People Northern Ireland Siobhan Casey, John Ross Armstrong of Greentown (sponsors of the event), and some of Clanmil’s Board members and colleagues.  

 

The full list of winners and runners up from Clanmil In Bloom 2025 is as follows:   

Best Basket/ Window box 

Winner: Zarra-Louise Bamber  

Joint 2nd place: Elishia Mullan 

Joint 2nd place: Terry Pentland and Alan Joss 

Best Pot 

Winner: Lynsey Cragg 

2nd place: Margaret Preshur 

3rd place: Claudia Jones 

Best Individual Garden 

Winner: Danielle Devlin 

2nd place: Karen McLaughlin 

3rd place: Irene Carey 

Best Environmental Garden 

Winner: Cramsie Court 

2nd place: Gloonan House 

3rd place: Allen Court 

Best Young Growers 

Winner: Ballinaska children – including Mylah, Freya and Isla  

2nd place: Lettie and Jerzie-Lee, Ballymena 

Joint 3rd place: Carter, Coalisland and Daisey, Aliana, Callum and Anton, Dungannon 

Best Grow Your Own

Winner: Emily McKee 

2nd place: Cecil Miller 

3rd place: Suzana Pereira 

Best Independent Living Scheme 

Winner: The Imperial 

2nd place: Hughes Court 

3rd place: Cramsie Court 

Best Community Garden

Winner: Dunville, Holywood 

2nd place: Mariners Court 

3rd place: Cullingtree Meadows 

Overall Gardener of 2025 

Winner: Emily McKee