Mayor’s congratulations extended to the borough’s high achievers

At the outset of last Monday night’s monthly meeting, civic congratulations were extended to:

Ballymena Alderman PJ McAvoy on being elected chairperson of the National Association of Councillors for the next two years.

Ballymena Tourist Information Centre on becoming a finalist in the Best Tourist Information Centre Awards which will take place on October 14 in Newcastle.

Glarryford motorcyclist Barry Davidson on winning the Manx Grand Prix 250cc Classic Race in the Isle of Man.

Ballymena Ladies on winning the Provincial Towns Women’s Bowling Association Senior League.

Clough cyclist, Aaron Swann, a pupil of Cambridge House Grammar School on winning the Under 14 All Ireland Youth Cycling Championship in July. He also won the Ulster Championship and the Northern Ireland Championship earlier this year.

Darrell Erwin on winning the Longford Marathon for the ninth time in 10 years.

Carniny Amateur and Youth Football Club’s senior side, Carniny Amateurs who will make history for the local club when for the first time they will play in the First round of the Senior Irish Cup.

Ballymena graduate, Jason Wallace on being awarded one of the top prizes for computing at a recent prize giving ceremony held in Queen’s University.

Twin brothers from Ballymena, Steven and John Carson on receiving top marks in their chartered accountancy exams. -Steven and John were placed first and second in Northern Ireland in their second year exams with Chartered Accountants Ireland. The brothers were placed third and fifth overall in Ireland.

Logan’s Executive Travel, which has headquarters in Ballymena, on investing over £1 million in its business, enabling it to beat off stiff competition to clinch a major contract to provide luxury coaches for athletes during the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Michelin Tyre plant in Ballymena on being shortlisted for a prestigious Manufacturing Excellence award.

Patton Homes site manager David Watterson on being awarded a prestigious NHBC ‘Pride in the Job’ Award and being singled out as one of the Top 30 site managers in Northern Ireland.

The villages of Broughshane and Ahoghhill on each gaining a first place in their categories in the Translink Ulster in Bloom competition and on winning a gold medal and a silver-gilt award respectively in the RHS Britain in Bloom.

Sandy Wilson from Broughshane on being named as an RHS Britain in Bloom Community Champion for 2011.

Ranger Peter Mawhinney from Ballymena who was on his second tour of duty and will receive a Mention in Despatches for saving the life of a colleague while under heavy fire from Afghan insurgents.

Congratulations were also extended to the Mayor by his deputy, Cllr Robin Cherry on being re-elected as Chairperson of arc21 which is a body of 11 Councils working together across the six regions on waste management issues. Cllr Cherry pointed out that this is the sixth year in a row he has been elected and added that Cllr Nicholl also has been elected as Vice-Chair of the NEELB.