School Prizes For Bee Aware Competition

Newry Mourne and Down District Council has recognised schools that took part in the first ever ‘Bee Aware’ poster competition. The competition was launched in partnership with the Down Soroptomist Group to promote awareness and knowledge of local pollinators.

Council Chairperson, Councillor Mark Murnin said: “I am delighted to say that the first year of this poster competition has been a great success. Bees play an important part in the ensuring the viability of our plants, vegetables and fruits. We rely on our pollinators and therefore we need to provide the environment that will let them play this vital role.

“As part of the poster competition, school children learned about the importance of pollinators and how important it is up to us to plant native species of wildflowers, build pollinator boxes and reduce the use of pesticides so that they can thrive.

“This competition helped children learn about their environment, what they can do to make it better and they enjoyed making their posters.”

“We would like to congratulate the students of St Patrick’s Primary School, Cumran Primary School and Knockevin School on their success, and look forward to expanding this competition throughout the district next year.”

Prizewinners in the Bee Aware Poster Competition back row l-r Cameron Magee Knockevin School, Commended Artwork Spot Prize; Danan Small, Knockevin School, Most Professional Spot Prize; Michael McKinney, Biodiversity Officer, NMDDC: Dillon Heaney, Knockevin School,Beautiful Artwork Spot Prize.  Middle row, Anna-Rae Morrison, Downpatrick Primary School, Most Informative Spot Prize; Charlie Stocking, Commended for Accuracy and Olivia Brown, Downpatrick Primary School; Highly Commended, Carl Casement Downpatrick Primary School; Commended Artwork Spot Prize, Neil Holmes, Funniest Poster Spot Prize. Front row l-r 3rd prize awarded to Caolan Reid, Cumran Primary School; 2nd prize awarded to Rose Leanne Gray, Downpatrick Primary School; 1st prize awarded to Charlie Muir, Cumran Primary School; President of Soroptimist International Downpatrick and District, Melanie Douglas who presented the awards for the Bee Aware Poster Competition.