By Julie Waters
THE golden sands of Ards and North Down have again failed to win a prestigious Blue Flag Award for quality beaches.
The Blue Fag is an international award presented to well-managed beaches that meet with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.
Four local beaches at Groomsport, Ballywalter South, Cloughey and Millisle did win a Seaside Award, the category below the Blue Flag.
The Seaside Award is the UK’s mark of quality that ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive, and well-managed coastal stretch.
Ards and North Down boasts over 115 miles of spectacular coastline, known as the ‘Gold Coast’, but it was neighbouring Newry, Mourne and Down council that secured three prestigious Blue Flags.
There was some good news for the borough with Bangor Marina, which is managed by independent operator Boatfolk, winning a Blue Flag award.
Mayor Jennifer Gilmour, said it is ‘fantastic’ that so many local seaside locations have been recognised in the Beach and Marina awards.
“It is a fitting tribute to the work of both the council employees and the many groups of volunteers who together strive to keep our coastline clean, tidy and welcoming for visitors. This summer we hope many people will be able to visit the area and take the opportunity to explore our beaches and beauty spots.”
A spokesman for Boatfolk said the firm is ‘thrilled’ to celebrate the standards achieved by Bangor Marina in earning the Blue Flag Award.
“This accolade underscores our commitment to providing top-tier marina services while upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship,” he said.
“We are proud to contribute to making Northern Ireland a premier destination for mariners around the world, and we remain dedicated to fostering a love of the marine environment within our community.”
Addressing the borough’s failure to secure any Blue Flag awards, a council spokesman said that ‘for a beach to be awarded a Blue Flag, a heightened qualifying criteria must be met’.
“The beaches operated by Ards and North Down Borough Council that were submitted for the Seaside Awards were those considered to have the most likelihood of success,” he said.
“The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are two separate awards schemes with differing eligibility requirements. The Blue Flag is an international award emphasising water quality and management, while the Seaside Award celebrates the diverse beauty of the coastline and ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed beach.
“The council is delighted that all four beaches that were submitted – Ballywalter, Cloughey, Groomsport and Millisle – were successful, together with Bangor Marina receiving a prestigious Blue Flag.”
