Charlie Smyth gets President's Trophy for his work with Best Kept NI

0

Shares

: Columba O'Hare; Category: News; Published: 19 October 2023

1 Comment

The President’s Trophy was awarded to Charlie Smyth from the Northern Ireland Amenity Council for his almost 40 years dedication and commitment to the Best Kept Campaign. Pictured presenting the Award to Charlie is Doreen Muskett MBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Amenity Council with Anna McKelvey, Head of Marketing at George Best Belfast City Airport (left), and Best Kept Patron Joe Mahon (right).

Charlie Smyth from Newry is perhaps best known for his wonderful Pantomimes and his involvement in Newry Musical Society but his interest and work in a completely different field saw him win yet another award this week.

At the Best Kept NI Awards, on Tuesday 18th October at Mossley Mill in Newtownabbey Charlie was awarded The President’s Trophy for his almost 40 years dedication and commitment to the Best Kept Campaign.

Presenting his Award, Chairman of NIAC, Doreen Muskett, MBE said: “Charlie has been involved with the Best Kept Awards since 1985, almost 40 years, his dedication and commitment has been nothing less than outstanding.

“He has a great interest in all environmental issues and we want to thank him for the many many years of hosting these awards, he has brought the house down with many of his jokes and he has kept us all entertained throughout the years, it is our absolute pleasure to award him The President’s Trophy here today.”

The Best Kept NI event brought together representatives from towns and villages all over Northern Ireland showcasing their commitment to preserving and enhancing their local environments, fostering safer, cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.

Now in their 66th year these renowned awards celebrate communities that areas that dedicated to protecting and caring for their local environment. Judging criteria encompass a range of aspects including floral displays, grass roots environmental projects, and the absence of litter and graffiti. Judges also seek evidence of community involvement in environmental initiatives, such as promotion of recycling and wildlife conservation.

The awards ceremony featured several categories, including Best Kept City, Towns and Villages, Best Kept Housing Areas, and Best Kept Community Achiever, among others. These categories recognised not only the aesthetic appeal of the nominated areas but also the efforts to promote sustainability, biodiversity, and community engagement.

The Best Kept Large Town award went to Antrim, while Holywood secured the Best Kept Large Village award. In the category of Best Kept Sheltered Area, Bronte Fold in Rathfriland, Co. Down (Radius Housing) emerged as the winner.

Anna McKelvey, Head of Marketing at George Best Belfast City Airport said: “As steadfast champions of the Best Kept Awards for many years now, Belfast City Airport has had the privilege of witnessing remarkable efforts aimed at fostering brighter, more sustainable communities.

"In this 66th year of the Best Kept Awards, and our seventh year in partnership, we continue to be astounded by the exceptional quality of entries and the unwavering civic pride displayed right across Northern Ireland.”

The Best Kept Awards serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation and beautification efforts. NIAC extends its congratulations to all the winners and participants and looks forward to another year of celebrating the best that Northern Ireland has to offer.

The Awards