Two Westmeath businesses have been announced as winners of Bord Bia’s National Amenity Horticulture Quality Awards, held on Friday night in Dublin.
Fernhill Garden Centre, Athlone and O’Meara’s Garden Pavilion, Mullingar were each awarded a five-star Garden Centre Award. Over 180 industry representatives attended the awards, which were presented by Shane McEntee, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The National Amenity Horticulture Quality Awards promote excellence across the industry. This year Bord Bia presented awards to 41 garden centres, six ornamental growers, and 11 landscape service providers which have successfully achieved the standards. A full list of winners is available on the Bord Bia website www.bordbia.ie/aboutgardening
Speaking at the event, chief executive of Bord Bia, Aidan Cotter, said; “The quality, high standards, and dedication shown by this year’s winners displays the strength and determination of the horticulture industry in the light of the great challenges it currently faces. Quality Award recipients pride themselves on delivering above and beyond consumer expectation.”
In 2012, Bord Bia will continue the ‘It’s Garden Time’ campaign to encourage Irish people to make the most of their gardens this spring. A range of tips and advice will be available for every garden at www.bordbia.ie/itsgardentime
Bord Bia’s annual gardening and lifestyle show Bloom will return to the Phoenix Park, Dublin for its sixth year from Thursday May 31 until Monday, 4th June 2012. For more information, visit www.bloominthepark.com
