Civic Award Winners Announced at Prestigious Awards Ceremony

Ards and North Down Borough Council hosted the 2025 Civic Awards at a prestigious awards ceremony in Bangor Castle. The awards provided an opportunity for the heroes of Ards and North Down to be recognised for their exceptional contribution to civic life in the Borough.

The Council invited nominations across five categories that included a Community Champion Award, Community Group Award, Youth Impact Award (for those aged under 18), Arts, Culture or Heritage Award, and the Environmental Sustainability Award.

In addition, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, selected an additional recipient to receive the Mayor's Special Civic Award in recognition of outstanding service.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

"One of my priorities as Mayor was to ensure the Civic Awards was rejuvenated so it was my absolute pleasure and privilege to host our first Civic Awards ceremony since 2018. The awards evening provided an opportunity to honour some of our very special local people and local groups who have made an exceptional contribution to civic life in our Borough. Congratulations to all."

The winners were:

Community Champion Award: Charlene Lappin, for an outstanding contribution to her community in Ballygowan. She is the longest standing member of the Ballygowan Community Association with nearly 50 years of service, she manages the Ballygowan Community Facebook page, is the lead for the Ballygowan Seniors Group, and has been a familiar face at all community events.

Community Group Award: Ards Peninsula First Responders, for providing a vital service to the people of Ards and North Down. The volunteer group respond to calls from Ambulance Control to assist patients who are awaiting the arrival of an ambulance in instances where a threat to life is imminent or to assist those with cardiac or breathing problems. They are located along the Peninsula and all carry an emergency bag comprising of essential equipment such as a cardiac defibrillator, helping them to offer fast, local reaction. Since the group was formed 10 years, they have responded to more than 3,000 calls.

Youth Impact Award: Ben Mooney, for his charity raising efforts and the dedication of his time to help others. Inspired by his grandmother's illness, he has sought to improve the treatment of life-limiting conditions through regular charitable fundraising since he was five-years old. Now aged 17, he has climbed more than 30,000 metres of mountains across Northern Ireland, completed several 'Kilt Walks', climbed the Gherkin in London, as well as participated in numerous walks and runs for both national and local charities. This included a successful fundraising effort that earned him a Guinness World Record for the longest paper clip chain, measuring an impressive 1,997 metres long.

Arts, Culture or Heritage Award: Kieran and Alison Gilmore, for being the driving force behind 25 years of Bangor's annual Open House Festival, together with the more recent refurbishment of Bangor's heritage listed Court House. Open House is a small, independent arts charity that has created a festival which is now supported by over 100 local volunteers and a 70 strong choir. The success of the festival led them to secure Heritage Lottery Fund Grants for the refurbishment of Bangor Court House which subsequently opened as a dedicated arts and music venue. The Court House has since delivered over 900 events, showcasing almost 3,000 artists to an audience of nearly 100,000. The combination of the Open House Festival and events at Bangor Court House has resulted in a substantial economic impact for the local economy.

Environmental Sustainability Award: Inler Angling Club, for acting as custodians of the River Inler in Comber, County Down. Whilst the aim of the club is to provide quality fishing opportunities, the environmental health and wellbeing of the river is a priority, with a particular emphasis on a catch and release policy to maintain healthy fish stocks. Club members regularly meet to carry out maintenance on the river such as the trimming of willow and removal of obstructions. They make improvements to access as well as carry out litter picking exercises while also providing support to their local community association.

Mayor's Special Civic Award: Roberta Dunlop, the founder of Bangor International Choral Festival. In the 1990s, Roberta had a vision of bringing people of all ages together through music, especially children, whom she knew were the future of communities who could live together peacefully. She wanted to break down religious barriers from Northern Ireland's past and show that there was a brighter future by working and living together. The first Choral Festival was held in 1993 and Roberta's ethos for the Festival was full inclusion for all, irrespective of cultural background, age or ability. She helped put Bangor on the map for choral singing and through her vision, she has made a significant contribution to the Arts within the Borough by creating a music event where everyone can showcase their choral talents and where everyone is valued.

Highly Commended (Community Champion Award): Lt. Brian Harvey RNR, for dedicating over 30 years to Bangor Sea Cadets, selflessly giving his time, expertise and passion to develop young people into confident, skilled, and disciplined individuals. He has played a pivotal role in training cadets in the maritime skills of seamanship, navigation, and rowing. He has coached several teams to national acclaim, including teams that have won the prestigious Sea Cadet National Rowing Competition in London.

Highly Commended (Environmental Sustainability Award): Harry Wilson, for being a valued member of Donaghadee Community Development Association's management committee since 2017 where he has demonstrated a clear passion for sustainability. He has displayed creative efforts to reduce waste and repurpose discarded materials, transforming them into striking floral displays that enhance the town. Those displays include four planters that he crafted from repurposed cable drums, a replica model of Luke the Lifeboat, and a 12ft long replica of a Spitfire from recycled materials for the town's VE Day commemorations.