Tidy Randalstown success is recognised in Parliament

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has congratulated Helen Boyd from Tidy Randalstown on her visit to Westminster with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) following her contribution to a newly launched report.

On Thursday the Royal Horticultural Society launched two landmark reports at the Houses of Parliament: the RHS ‘State of Gardening Report 2025’, the first in-depth look at gardening’s impact on UK health, communities, the economy and the environment; and ‘Space to Grow: Realising the Potential of the Community Gardening Movement’.

Helen was the only panellist chosen from Northern Ireland, demonstrating the outstanding work of Tidy Randalstown.

Mr Swann welcomed Helen to Parliament to mark the occasion and tabled an Early Day Motion celebrating the achievements of Tidy Randalstown and its volunteers.

The Early Day Motion tabled by Mr Swann says: “That this House celebrates the excellent work of Tidy Randalstown and its volunteers in transforming and maintaining the beauty of Randalstown; recognises the leadership of Helen Boyd, how their dedication and community spirit have inspired others to take pride in their town; notes the group’s success in winning multiple Best Kept Town, Ulster in Bloom, and Britain in Bloom awards; acknowledges the pride that their achievements have brought to the local community, notably how the former railway viaduct spanning the River Maine became the location of one of four new RHS Community Gardens; and expresses thanks to all those involved, past and present, for their continued commitment to making Randalstown an excellent place to live, work and visit.”

In the Commons Chamber, Mr Swann also raised the importance of community gardens and Tidy Randalstown, securing an acknowledgment from the Leader of the House, Sir Alan Campbell MP.

Robin Swann MP said: “The Royal Horticultural Society has today launched its report, ‘Space to Grow’, realising the potential of the community-gardening movement. Will the Leader of the House join me in recognising and celebrating the work of Tidy Randalstown in my South Antrim constituency, and look at the opportunity for the Government, along with devolved Governments, to embed the Space to Grow campaign in legislation and policy?”

In response, the Leader of the House said: “Community gardens are important to bring communities together, and often for people’s mental health, so it is great that he has brought the issue to the Floor of the House.”

Mr Swann said: “I was delighted to welcome Helen Boyd to Westminster and to see her incredible work with Tidy Randalstown recognised on a UK-wide stage. Community gardens make a huge positive contribution to community pride, local environmental sustainability and mental wellbeing.

“Helen and the Tidy Randalstown volunteers do so much great work locally and it’s fantastic that their efforts are being celebrated by the Royal Horticultural Society and now recognised in Parliament.”

A spokesperson for Tidy Randalstown said that the group was honoured to be included as a case study in the Space to Grow report and that Chairperson Helen Boyd was invited by the RHS to represent community gardeners from Northern Ireland at Thursday’s launch.

After the event Helen said “It was wonderful to have this opportunity to network on behalf of Tidy Randalstown and community gardening groups across NI and to reinforce the message that community gardening is a powerful force bringing untold benefits to individuals, to communities and to the environment. Being chosen for this role is really a tribute to what our volunteers have managed to achieve in Randalstown through their hard work and dedication. I’m also immensely grateful to Robin Swann for using the occasion to acknowledge the work of Tidy Randalstown and other groups through an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons.”