Clanmil customers, colleagues and gardening enthusiasts came together to celebrate the talents and achievements of gardeners of all ages at the annual Clanmil in Bloom awards.

The Wool Tower in Broughshane provided the setting for this year’s awards ceremony, bringing together green-fingered customers from across Clanmil communities to celebrate their hard work, creativity and passion for gardening.

Clanmil in Bloom is an annual competition that celebrates Clanmil customers who take pride in keeping the green spaces around their homes looking their very best. It also gives customers with a passion for gardening the opportunity to showcase their handiwork and share their love of growing with others.

Eliza Martin, Community Investment & Fundraising Manager at Clanmil, said:

“Clanmil in Bloom is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, passion and dedication of our customers and colleagues. The gardens and growing spaces entered this year demonstrate the incredible pride people take in their homes and communities. From individual gardens and pots to community spaces, every entry helps bring colour, connection and a real sense of pride to our neighbourhoods. Congratulations to everyone who took part and to all our very deserving winners.”

The event was hosted by Nigel McGrath, with guests enjoying music from the Armagh Pipers as part of the celebrations.

Adding a special touch to the day was Tim O’Malley, a former Clanmil member of staff, who kindly brought strawberries from his family-run sustainable strawberry farm in Co.Armagh, O'Malley Berry Co. for guests to enjoy. It was a thoughtful contribution and a lovely opportunity for Tim to reconnect with former colleagues and friends at Clanmil.

The awards were supported by sponsors ATS Gas Services, CTS, Mamo and Nicor, whose generous support helped make this year’s Clanmil in Bloom celebrations possible.

The full list of winners and runners-up from Clanmil in Bloom 2026 is as follows:

Best Environmental Garden

Winner: Cecil Miller – Harmony Court, Belfast
2nd place: Hazel Bland – Cramsie Court, Ballymoney
3rd place: Robert Garrett – Cook Court, Newtownards

Best Grow Your Own

Winner: Anne Marie McCloskey – Ardnaskea Court, Coalisland
2nd place: Emily McKee – Ardnaskea Court, Coalisland
3rd place: Cecil Miller – Harmony Court, Belfast

Best Small Space

Winner: Kathy Murphy – Cramsie Court, Ballymoney
2nd place: Margaret Wright – Monarch, Dunmurry
3rd place: Stronge Court – Stronge Court, Portadown

Best Individual Garden

Winner: Karen McLaughlin – Charlotte Street, Ballymoney
2nd place: Marie Hetherington – Hughes Court, Belfast
3rd place: Rosemary Baird – Hughes Court, Belfast

Best Pot

Winner: Roland Houston - Giboney Court, Belfast
2nd place: Isobel Henry – Cramsie Court, Ballymoney
3rd place: Sam Preshur – Hughes Court, Belfast

Best Basket

Winner: Shannon Morrison – Caffrey, Belfast
2nd place: Avril Averill – Giboney Court, Belfast
3rd place: Dermot Sheils – Hughes Court, Belfast

Best Young Grower

Winner: Caleb Cragg – Mill Terrace, Carrickfergus
Runner-up: Abbi Fry – Mill Terrace, Carrickfergus

Best Staff Garden

Winner: Sean Copeland
2nd place: Claire Darby
3rd place: Heather McDonald

Best Independent Living Scheme

Winner: Hughes Court, Belfast
2nd place: Cedar Court, Newtownabbey
Joint 3rd place: Henderson Court, Holywood
Joint 3rd place: Gloonan House, Ballymena

Best Community Garden

Winner: Mariners Court, Carrickfergus
Joint 2nd place: Monarch Building, Dunmurry and Talbot Street, Newtownards
3rd place: Charlotte Street, Ballymoney

Overall Gardener of 2026

Winner: Cecil Miller – Harmony Court, Belfast

Congratulations to all the Clanmil in Bloom 2026 winners, runners-up and everyone who took part. The hard work, imagination and enthusiasm of customers and colleagues continue to make Clanmil communities greener, brighter and more welcoming places to live.