Loughgilly Together scoops Housing Executive rural award
Loughgilly Rural Community Group in County Armagh has secured £1,000 prize as part of this year’s Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards.
Situated in the hinterland of Armagh, this project aims to increase community awareness and engagement in the local environment as an initiative to bring people together.
Held this year in The Seamus Heaney Home Place the annual Rural Community Awards event provides a showcase for individuals and groups undertaking outstanding volunteering work at grassroots level in rural areas across Northern Ireland, helping maintain local neighbourhoods and boosting civic pride.
Pauline Beattie, Housing Executive Area Manager, Armagh said,
“A big well done to Loughgilly Together on their well-deserved award, as they took the top prize in our Cleaner and Greener section.
“I commend them for their outstanding environmental work in the village – their efforts in encouraging environmental sustainability in the wider community is inspirational.”
Donna Keogh, Vice-Chairperson, Loughgilly Together, said,
“We take great pride in our local environment and are committed to making it an attractive and vibrant place to live.
“Our community works very hard to improve the visual appearance of our small housing developments.
“Regular clean-ups, litter picks, planting flowers along main pathways, maintaining green spaces and revitalising the appearance of our community building through grass-cutting and landscaping projects, are just some of the projects we have facilitated.
“We also promote sustainability by educating residents about recycling, encouraging energy efficiency practices through workshops by suggesting growing your own fresh produce and advocating for sustainable transportation options like car sharing and walking initiatives.
“The Housing Executive are a great support to us by helping with grass cutting and maintaining our flower beds.
“We are delighted to win the cleaner and greener award and we plan on using the prize money to improve the outside of our community building which is owned by The Housing Executive.
“Our priority is to get the flower beds looking lovely so that people can sit out in the sun in the Summer and enjoy them.
“Residents are actively involved in our decision-making processes which fosters a sense of ownership and engagement in the environmental well-being of the entire community.”