MILLISLE MAKES RUNNER-UP IN ALL-IRELAND 'PRIDE OF PLACE' COMPETITION

Millisle has made runner-up in the prestigious all-Ireland 'Pride of Place' competition.

Millisle was one of the 160-plus towns and villages from across Ireland to enter the competition and received the accolade at an awards ceremony last week, attended by the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie.

'Pride of Place', now in its seventh year, is run by Co-operation Ireland and aims to celebrate community contributions to local society and the creation of civic pride. Millisle was nominated by Ards Borough Council in recognition of the local community association's efforts to enhance and improve the village for locals and visitors alike.

Recent achievements include working with the Council and the East Border Region Partnership to undertake a complete refurbishment of the Beach Park and making a successful application to the BBC's Breathing Spaces to create a Community Wildlife Garden.

The competition entry also highlighted the fact that members of the local community have also been working with Roads Service to improve car parks and refurbish footpaths and that the village pharmacy runs a series of health education programmes in the community targeting mental, physical and social well being.

Chairman of the Council's Development Committee, Councillor Angus Carson, offered his congratulations to the Community Association and to the village:

"This is a remarkable achievement, considering there was competition from practically every county in Ireland, and my sincere congratulations go to the Community Association whose members have worked tirelessly over many years to improve the life of the village and the people who live there, as well as those who visit," said Councillor Carson. "This award highlights very clearly what can be achieved when local people work together for the benefit of their own communities. I hope Millisle's success will encourage other groups to continue the good work they are already undertaking and inspire yet more to become involved in creating pride in their local village".

Chairman of the Millisle Community Association, Roy Kane, said:

"It is nice to see the Millisle Community Association Team getting a bit of recognition for all their hard work and ingenuity. We would like to thank our support groups from around the village and also our good friends from the different Government agencies we engage with. All these different groups give us the impetus needed to get the job done. Long may it continue. Many thanks to the judges for their willingness to acknowledge our efforts."

For further information on the 'Pride of Place' competition, or community regeneration work in general, contact David Birch, Regeneration Officer, Ards Borough Council Tel: 028 9182 4026.