Community Spirit Blossoming in Donaghadee
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks, has launched a guide to the Donaghadee’s floral displays. The guide, produced by the Donaghadee Community Development Association shows the various locations of floral displays and lists the individuals and groups involved. The guide is available from several shops and restaurants in the town. The displays include hanging baskets, containers, window boxes, flower beds and displays on the shorefront utilising salvaged and sustainable maritime props.
Karen McCullough, owner of Wild Thing florists in the town centre, leads the small sub-group of the Association which has co-ordinated and planned the activity. Speaking today, she said “This has been a real partnership project not only between the Council and ourselves but also between DCDA and the many individuals and groups who have taken on responsibility for displays. Our sub-group wanted to bring life and vibrancy back to our town through blooms and has worked hard to involve as many people as possible and to secure the necessary finance, plants, boats and baskets to enable it all to happen. We have something like 60 different people and groups involved – we have schools, churches, streets, community groups, traders and individuals all working together to make a real impact. There has been a very positive feedback from residents and visitors which makes it all worthwhile”
Speaking at the launch, the Mayor paid tribute to the work of the group. He said “This has been a real community effort and it’s great to see. I want to congratulate DCDA for their work in making all this happen. The town is looking really well – let’s build on this and see if Donaghadee can re-claim top spot as the winning town of Ulster in Bloom!”