WITH its stunning floral displays, Ballinamallard has been turned into a kaleidoscope of colours. Attractive flowers such as petunias, geraniums and hollyhocks grow beautifully throughout the Erne North village as the community prepares for the annual ‘Ulster in Bloom’ contest.

Horticulture in all its splendour has always been a part of Ballinamallard and so has the steadfast commitment of the people, such as Robin and Molly Paget, in keeping the place blooming.

“You best talk to the wife about the garden,” smiled Mr. Paget, “I am only an unpaid labourer”.

“I do the most of the gardening; weeding, digging, feeding, clipping and mowing,” said Mrs. Paget.

“I mow all the lawns once a week; I wish I had more time to enjoy it because I have a great interest in flowers,” she said. Alongside gardening she likes to grow vegetables, such as peas, beans, rhubarb and onions. “I suppose you could say I have green fingers,” said Mrs. Paget.

“I am the assistant gardener,” laughed Mr. Paget. “I only help out; I cut the grass sometimes. I would give her nine out of ten. She could grow flowers in a jam-pot. If I had to pay somebody for the work she does I wouldn’t be here,” he smiled.

Mr. Paget believes it is important that Ballinamallard, where he has lived for 74 years, “makes a good impression on the local people, the visitors and even people passing through”.

Like their home village, the Pagets are blossoming, having celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last week.

“50 years married - didn’t she do well to put up with me for so long,” remarked Mr. Paget.

“It seems a long time, but it seems to have passed really quickly, too,” smiled Mrs. Paget.

And, there must be something in the air; Bert and Olive Johnston, who both play a pivotal role in preparing the area for ‘Ulster in Bloom’, celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this Saturday.

“I am going to take Olive out for a meal,” said Mr. Johnston. “She has put a lot of work into making Ballinamallard look well - doesn’t she deserve something?” The couple have been busy planting flowers, including many window boxes, for several weeks.

“We are throwing everything at this to win the competition,” said Mr. Johnston. “We feel we are in with a chance of winning, but even if we don’t win we still believe it is nice to have Ballinamallard looking good. A lot of work has been put into this, it is a community effort, I have done a lot, but I haven’t done it all; the wife has helped a lot, too,” he said.

Mr. Johnston, the chairman of Fermanagh District Council, wants more trees planted in the village.

“I would like to see more trees down the main street; they could take more slender trees; trees that would suit the village. I believe trees and flowers make a village look nice, they look inviting and they bring life and character to the place,” he said.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston’s son Mark has also been involved in maintaining the gardens around Ballinamallard and has been tasked with watering the flowers three times a week.

“I have been watering the flowers a long time, probably 12 or 13 years. It takes roughly an hour and a half three times a week to water them. It usually takes two and half months of preparation from the start of June to the middle of August. I would be fairly hopeful that we will do well in the contest,” he said.

Local woman Heather Knox says she “does a wee bit” too.

“I weed a couple of the flower beds and try to keep the weeds down, and keep it tidy. It helps the general appearance of the place, especially when you have tourists coming in. It would be one of the most colourful villages in Fermanagh. The weather has a lot to do with it too,” she said, adding: “Sure, wouldn’t it be great to win the contest”.

Victor Coalter has lived in Ballinamallard for 35 years and like the others enjoys gardening.

“I would water the flowers at night, so I would; my flowers and the neighbours’ flowers. It would be a nightly thing – if it’s not raining. I get nothing out of it, I just enjoy doing it. It’s lovely to see all the flowers. You couldn’t ask for nicer, right enough.” Born in Ballinamallard, Teddy Elliott, who is hoping his village comes out on top in ‘Ulster in Boom’, spends at least 30 hours a week in his garden.

“I do it for the enjoyment, having the place looking well. I am well supported by my good wife, Myrtle. You do it for your own satisfaction and it helps the village.

“Gardening is totally relaxing. When I come out here I am rearing to go, and mad to get at it. It is better to be outside in the garden in the middle of the day than to be inside watching television. I don’t have time to read the paper when I’m at it – not even The Impartial Reporter!” he laughed.